Habitat for Humanity home dedicated in Willow

WILLOW -- Last week, many people gave thanks for all their blessings, and one woman in particular expressed her joy for being blessed with a new home -- thanks to many dedicated volunteers. Lida Mayo was the center of attention Nov. 23 at the dedication of the eighth Habitat for Humanity home in the Valley. And so was her new 800-square-foot Willow home -- the home of Mayo's dreams and prayers.

"The Lord blessed me with this home," Mayo said Sunday. "I had been praying for a home. I had been looking for six years, but every time I would think maybe I could afford one, the car would break down or blow up -- something would happen."

Last year something different happened, however, and Mayo was chosen as a recipient of a Habitat home. The house was different from other Habitat for Humanity homes built in the Valley in that all of the fund-raising and construction was handled by members of the Willow United Methodist Church, who partnered with Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su. It is also unusual in that it went to a single person, rather than a family.

The Willow home was built in record time, according to organizer Ola Williams, due largely to help received from United Methodist Volunteers in Mission teams that came from Nebraska, Kansas, North Carolina and Wisconsin. One person in particular was credited for his role in completing the job in less than six months -- Bob Field.

As a volunteer construction manager, Field was a constant presence at the house, Williams said, keeping everyone busy from June to August when he returned to Knoxville, Tenn.

"[Habitat for Humanity officials] told us it would take us 18 months," Williams said of the construction time. Williams said there were four teams of 25 people working on the home for five weeks, and Field kept everyone in line.

"It was so funny 'cause you'd go in and find notes on the walls; this was Lida's list of what she can do, and one for the VIM team. Bob kept right on it, a list for everybody."

Field wasn't present for the home's dedication, but a life-size photo was present in his stead. Williams said Field would be returning soon, however -- he sold his home in Tennessee and will be house-sitting an area home for the winter.

As for Mayo, she couldn't be more pleased with the hard work everyone put in, and the finished product.

"I really think the Lord put it into overdrive," Mayo said. "It's just adorable, it's the most beautiful house, and I am so pleased to be moving into it."

Mayo was expecting to sign papers for the home on Monday, and be moved in before Christmas.

Seventh HFH home still in the works

Construction is still underway at Habitat for Humanity Mat-Su's seventh home, being built in Williwaw Subdivision in Wasilla.

Jennifer Wilson and children Jeremy and Travis, the recipients of the home, are not expected to be able to move into the home until sometime next year, according to Habitat spokesperson Elsie Oliver.

"We're ready to put in the insulation," Oliver said Sunday, "but we didn't get excavated for the well and septic."

Oliver said work on the inside of the home will continue throughout the winter, but more volunteer help is needed to assist volunteer Kevin Peterson, who works on the home outside of running his own business.

"We're short on a contractor," Oliver said, "Kevin's so busy. So that's where we are -- we need some contractor experience."