Mentone Mother, Daughter Get Habitat HomeMENTONE - Jill Stutzman and her 3-year-old daughter, Anessa, received a new home Sunday.
The home, at 516 N. Tucker St., was built by Habitat For Humanity of Kosciusko County volunteers.
A ceremony for the home was Sunday and was attended by Habitat employees, volunteers, sponsors and Stutzman's family and friends.
Stutzman, 25, was chosen by a family selection review committee of Habitat to be the new homeowner.Habitat is a Christian-based, non-profit ministry governed by a board of directors.
It helps lower-income families have a decent place to live in a decent community. The organization's mission is to build homes and lives.
Construction of the home began in March and was completed in July.
The land on which the home was built was donated by Midwest Poultry Services in memory of Glenn Hawkins. Hawkins was an employee of Midwest Poultry Services and was a Habitat volunteer for more than 12 years.
Stutzman will be required to make a 1-percent down payment on the home. The home was sold to her at building cost with a no-interest loan.
She was required to complete 250 sweat equity hours by assisting in the building of the home. She also was required to take family life management classes taught by Lori Harman, Habitat's family services director.
Stutzman has lived with her daughter and her parents, Randy and Mary Stutzman, in their Mentone home for the past three years.
Stutzman's parents said they were excited for their daughter to have a new home.
"It's been such a blessing how this has come together," Mary said.
"Words cannot describe what this means to our family and we are excited to help our daughter move in this week," Randy said.
Stutzman's new home is a one-story ranch-style home with a living room, kitchen, three bedrooms, and 1-1/2 bathrooms.
"There have been a lot of people who have donated their time and have gone above and beyond, and it has been a huge blessing," Stutzman said.
Terry Wood, owner of Final Touch Paint, Warsaw, volunteered his painting services for the home free of charge.
"I have known the Stutzmans through our church, Olive Branch Church Of God, and my company was glad to help with the home," Wood said.
Reinholt's Town Square Furniture, Warsaw, donated beds, a couch and hutch for the home.
