Waterloo Habitat for Humity home nears completion

They worked like a well-oiled machine. Some measured, some marked the drywall. Some helped lift large sheets of drywall to the ceiling and hold it in place while others screwed it to the rafters to hold it in place. Members of Carpenters Local 277 of Central New York and their friends moved from room to room of the home at 15 Mill Street being rehabilitated by Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County. Within hours, they had the drywall installed in most of the downstairs rooms and promised to return to complete the work this week.Josh Dickinson organized the crew, which included his mother Denise Wobig, who works with homeowner Chrissy Smith at Geneva General Hospital. Other volunteers included Ryan Pierce, Robert Wech and Joe Cook. Dickinson explained that the union requires its members to donate several hours of community service. “This is a lot more satisfying than marching on a picket line,” he said.While the Carpenters Union members were working inside, Janette Seamans, George LoTurco of Seneca Falls and Mike McGinty of Newark worked to dig out the old sidewalk out front and prepare for installation of a new one. McGinty said his company, Mobil, donates $500 for every 40 hours its employees work for a non-profit organization. He said he had participated in other Habitat for Humanity builds and decided to come to Waterloo to help out.Later, LoTurco joined volunteer George Nogle in helping build a deck at the back of the house while Susan Souhan, homeowner Chrissy Smith and Habitat vice president Karen Simon cleaned out the supply trailer and garage.Simon said volunteers are always welcome to come to help with the project. “There is always something for people to do,” she said.Habitat for Humanity volunteer Sandra Ferrara said people from Waterloo are especially welcome to stop by and lend a hand. Contributions for the lunch table also are always welcome, she added.A new volunteer schedule has been announced. New hours are Mon. – Thurs. mornings 8-11:30 a.m. There will be no Tues. or Thurs. evening hours. Saturdays remain the same – from 8:00am – 3:00pm.Groups wishing to sign up to volunteer should contact Patrice Giansante at [email protected] or call 315 568 6238.The public is invited to attend Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County’s annual dinner dance. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, October 12, at Ventosa Vineyards on Route 96A, Geneva. Tickets are $60 per person or $110 per couple and may be purchased from any Generations Bank, or byContacting Patrice Giansaante at [email protected] or tel. 315 568 6238.Music will be provided by the smooth sounds of the band, Soft Spoken from Syracuse featuring Dave Kuykendall of Seneca Falls on guitar and vocalist Donna Alford. To hear the band’s sound, go to www.softspokenband.comAs the Waterloo project nears completion, Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County is seeking a family for its 2013 project. Applications are available from Habitat for Humanity Family Selection Chair Sandra Ferrara at Generations Bank.Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build homes or renovate existing homes to create decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. Mortgage payments received by the affiliate are used to build more homes.Habitat for Humanity of Seneca County, NY, is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people.