CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
OPELIKA — The Stone Martin Builders team and Trade Partners took the leadership role to plan and build three homes for three families in three months in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
Maj. (Ret.) Daniel P. Hatcher, Habitat Board president, greeted everyone as they arrived at a blessing ceremony on Dec. 15, sharing an encouraging message: “This is the America that I know, of diversity and cooperation, working together to build and improve community.”
The Fuller, Efford and Flakes families each received a family Bible and keys to their new homes.
The Rev. Dr. Tripp Martin shared a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for the new homes.
Mark Grantham, Habitat executive director, recognized and thanked the city of Opelika, Stone Martin Builders team and West Fraser for partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build the homes.
“It would have taken our Habitat affiliate three years to build these homes, but thanks to our partnership … three hardworking families will become homeowners just in time for Christmas,” Grantham said.
“Over many years Habitat for Humanity has developed a very successful model that helps hard working families in Opelika to become homeowners,” said Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller. “I’m grateful for Habitat’s hard work and pleased that the city could help facilitate these three new homes.”
“Stone Martin Builders is a leader in providing quality homes with a wide range of product designs and price points,” said Paul Willis of Stone Martin Builders. “Like Habitat for Humanity, one of our primary missions is to provide home ownership opportunities across our markets, but more importantly, help families create a lifetime of fond memories in their new homes.”
West Fraser Plant Manager Rod Goldie joined the dedication ceremony to affirm the company’s commitment to engage and improve the communities they serve. West Fraser has been a partner to affordable housing for many years. The local Plant in Opelika and Lanett donated the lumber and OSB to build these three homes.
Hatcher thanked and recognized the many community partners that help Habitat every day. One of those partners is Wells Fargo, who donated the land for these three new homes.
The ceremony closed with recognition of the Fuller, Efford and Flakes families, along with the presentation of a family Bible and keys to their new home. Guests toured each home and enjoyed Christmas music, refreshments and a short film that highlighted the partnerships and process, provided courtesy of Radiant Films.
