Published: November 22, 2008 12:01 am      

Habitat gets boost

Commission approves funds for pick-up; Mannington duplex nearing completion

FAIRMONT — With a donation from the county commission, the Marion County Habitat for Humanity will soon be purchasing a pick-up truck.

The commissioners approved a $4,000 request from the organization this week, which they said was money well spent.

“I can’t think of a more worthwhile organization than habitat,” Commission President Alan Parks said.

He pointed out that Habitat for Humanity not only builds homes for individuals who need them but also turns the residents into taxpayers and utility payers within the community.

Currently, the organization is working on a duplex in Mannington which will house two families when complete. Commissioner Randy Elliott said the project is currently about 80 percent complete.

Janie Johnston, director of the county chapter of Habitat for Humanity, said the goal is to have the duplex finished by June of 2009, but the actual completion date will depend on the number of volunteers they get. She said Habitat homes are built solely by the work of volunteers.

Right now, the house is framed, and the workers have started on the siding and the inside and work every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Johnston said. During active construction, she said anyone who is over the age of 18 can volunteer with Habitat and help with the projects.

“I compliment the people who volunteer with Habitat for Humanity,” Elliott said. “I witnessed it firsthand in Mannington. It just shows what you can do with volunteers.”

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.