Habitat for Humanity dedicates Corrigan home

CORRIGAN —Habitat for Humanity of Polk County dedicated the new home of Michael T. Bailey and his sons, Michael Jr. and Latrail on Sunday, marking the 13th home built by the affiliate in Polk County and the first in the city of Corrigan. Scores of volunteers, family members, Michael’s church’s members, and Habitat board members attended the service of dedication and toured the new home. Affiliate president Susie Gearing thanked the volunteers, including construction supervisor John Dryton, for their efforts and dedication that brought the home into being in less three months from the wall raising that took place on Oct. 3. One of the activities that takes place at a Habitat dedication is the planting of a tree by the new homeowners. With guidance from Carol Dryton, Bailey’s sons planted an oak tree in the home’s front yard. Another special feature of dedications is the presentation by the Livingston Piecemakers Quilt Guild of a quilt specially made for each bed in the new home. Shirley Bell and Sue Glick chair this activity and make the presentations. As all Habitat homeowners are required to do, Bailey donated over 300 hours of “sweat equity” in the preparation for and construction of his home, including help from family members. All Habitat homeowners are required to have sufficient reliable, steady income that falls within the definition of low income. All Habitat homeowners enter the program only after it is determined that they have a genuine need for adequate shelter. Gearing stated that the next family approved for a Habitat home also lives in Corrigan. “Their home will be started as soon as we can approve a plan for the construction leadership for the project and get funding approved by the Texas Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs, the source of much of our funding,” she stated. Persons interested in applying for a Habitat for Humanity home must attend an orientation meeting held on the last Wednesday of every month, at 1 p.m., at First National Bank Westside (Hwys. 190 and 350) in Livingston. At that time, the program is explained and applications are available. There is currently a waiting period of at least one year for a new home to be completed.