Lacey Johns and Sheryl Vittitoe [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

Indian River Habitat for Humanity hit a ‘home’ run last Tuesday evening during its annual Donor Appreciation Night at Northern Trust Bank. Benefactors nibbled on hors d’oeuvres and listened to music by Jerzi, while previewing a slideshow chronicling Habitat milestones over the past year.

Smiling faces of volunteers and homebuyers beamed off the screen, filling the room with rays of happiness. Of particular note was excitement over the Feb. 1 wall-raising on Habitat’s 400th new home, this one sponsored by the Grand Harbor community.

“This event is for and about you,” said David Johnson, a Habitat board member and Northern Trust vice president. “We can have 100 volunteers, we can have buildings, but without your support and your donations, we cannot do what we do and meet our mission. We don’t give things away. We just help people. We make it affordable for them to own a home so they can have a roof over their family.”

Lacey Johns, a homebuyer and single mother who began her Habitat journey nearly a year ago, said that the impact of homeownership on a family is far-reaching.

“When I close, I feel like that’s just the beginning because then I can do more,” said Johns. She and her daughter have worked on their house every step of the way, which she feels will make her more self-sufficient in the long run.

“Without Habitat, without everybody here, I would not be able to afford to get a home for my daughter to come home to. This is a program I want to be part of forever,” she added.

Sheryl Vittitoe, IR Habitat president/CEO, noted that Dyer Auto, Johns’ employer, has also contributed volunteer work hours on the home.

“Without partnerships we couldn’t do what we do,” said Vittitoe. “It’s a three-legged stool. It is the partnership of donors, the homebuyer and Habitat. We’re the ones that have the privilege of pulling all of those parties together.”

Habitat offers eligible participants qualified, no-interest mortgage loans to purchase new homes built by volunteers and buyer sweat equity. They also assist with neighborhood beautification and revitalization projects and help repair homes for individuals who could not otherwise afford to do so.

Vittitoe said two bills have been sponsored in the Florida Legislature that, if passed, would have affordable housing supported by local tax dollars.

“It’s very important that Sen. (Debbie) Mayfield and Rep. (Erin) Grall all know that you all are passionate, and you share a passion with Indian River Habitat for affordable housing here at home,” she added.

After quoting Sir Winston Churchill – “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give” – Vittitoe said, “It’s applicable to every one of you in this room tonight. We just are so grateful for how you love us by giving so generously and so tirelessly.”

For more information, visit irchabitat.org.