The countdown is on in Three Hills where a Habitat for Humanity home will be completed in 100 hours over seven days.
It’s the first 100-hour build for Habitat for Humanity Red Deer.
“We’re celebrating the Town of Three Hills’ 100th birthday and the Elks of Canada 100th birthday so the legacy project is a 100-hour build,” said executive director Cynthia de Boar on Monday, the first day of the construction marathon.
The foundation for the home at 124 Tamarack Road has been in the ground for a few weeks and the roof was prefabricated.
“Today what we hope to have done is the doors and windows in, and the place sided and the roof on,” de Boar said.
The Town of Three Hills donated the land and the Elks donated money and other resources. Several Three Hills construction and trades people are donating their time.
A family of three will take possession when its finished.
Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to building homes for low-income families, with no down payment and interest-free mortgages.
Instead of a down payment, families volunteer hours of “sweat equity” through activities like helping out during construction or working in Habitat’s ReStore.
De Boar said cities aren’t the only place where residents need assistance. Habitat is looking to build in more towns in the Red Deer area.
“The fact is there is a great need. And as we do this build, more and more communities are coming forward saying we’ve got citizens that need help too.”
The Three Hills home will be the 26th home built by Habitat for Humanity Red Deer. The only other home built outside Red Deer was in Delburne.
A triplex in Red Deer is planned for Eastview. Permits should be in place in September to start construction.
“That will be our first triplex so we’re hitting a lot of firsts with Habitat Red Deer these days,” de Boar said.
Phil Johnson, Elks of Canada past District 10 deputy, said volunteers started work at 6 a.m. on Monday to help build the 1,200 sq. ft., three-bedroom home.
About $20,000 for the project was raised from food sales at the local farmers market, he said.
“People took it to heart,” Johnson said.
“It’s a hand up, not a hand out.”
The public is invited to come out and see the Three Hills Habitat build in action.
Work at the site is expected to continue to Sunday.
Habitat for Humanity Red Deer also wants to collect 10 million pennies — or $100,000 — to fund a future Habitat project.
De Boar said about $1,500 in pennies have been turned in since the penny project started in early April.
Pennies are being accepted at the Habitat office and ReStore, located at 4732 78A St. Close.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com