Habitat celebrates groundbreaking event

HUNTINGTON -- Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity and the Downtown Churches Association will join together for a groundbreaking ceremony on the Habitat affiliate's 66th home today.

The ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, at 1902 Artisan Ave.

Pastor Skip Seibel, associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church, said he believes working on the house is a great opportunity for the downtown churches to come together under one faith and one banner to build a home for a deserving family.

"The commitment to our affiliate from the downtown churches and their congregations is something very special," said Teddy Kluemper III, director of development and communications for the local Habitat chapter. "We are blessed that these churches are able to continue partnering with us to provide safe, decent and affordable housing."

Central Christian, Fifth Avenue Baptist, First Methodist, First Presbyterian, Johnson Memorial United Methodist, St. Joseph's Catholic, St. Paul Lutheran and Trinity Episcopal are churches who have committed to the project. These churches have contributed financially, and will provide volunteers to help build the home.

Carla Griffin, a behavior rehabilitation specialist with Prestera, will be the recipient of the new home along with her daughter Marcy, son Kai and granddaughter Ahleeyah. The 66th home is the third of at least five homes to be built as part of the Artisan Avenue redevelopment project.