What happens when you buy furniture, housewares and used home goods at the ReStore store? All the proceeds are turned into housing and help families achieve dreams they never thought were possible. Last week, Habit for Humanity of Wicomico County celebrated its 86^th Home Blessing, officially welcoming the Parra family to their new home on Martin Street in Salisbury.

Danny and Wilany Parra and their four children, Daniel, 6, Wildania,7, Darielli, 10, and Darwin, 11, moved in a few weeks ago, but this event brought Habit for Humanity officials and community members together to officially present the keys to the home, pray for the family and present gifts. Sheri Ewing, director of family services for Habitat, presented gifts, “Blessings in a Basket,” to the family, each item a symbol of hope. The basket included a candle so they may they always have light, honey for sweetness, salt for flavor, bread that they never go hungry, and flowers so there is always beauty in their home.

The celebration started with a prayer by Pastor Tom Passmore of Asbury United Methodist Church, and then remarks by Habitat’s executive director, Molly Hilligoss. After all the nice words and dedication, Mrs. Parra had prepared comments to thank Habitat and everyone who made their home possible. Mr. and Mrs. Parra are both from the Dominican Republic and still speak Spanish so everything was done through a translator. After she thanked everyone for their help and care in helping her family become homeowners, Rose Rivera, accountant assistant at Habitat, translated her comments into English for those in attendance. The family then welcomed everyone in for a tour and refreshments. There was so much joy! 

Habitat for Humanity is supported in large part by the income generated by their secondhand home goods store, ReStore. I recently told you about their plans to expand Habitat and open a second ReStore location in Fruitland. They are in the midst of a $1.8 million fundraising campaign. Every purchase at ReStore helps them in their mission of helping families become homeowners and taking care of critical home repairs. Lee Wise, ReStore manager, said for the fiscal year that just ended, the store generated $580,000. All that from community donations!

“When someone drops something off, we sell it at a fraction of the cost. That money goes into building the next home,” explained Karen Cooper, Habitat’s family services and outreach coordinator. She put together the blessing basket for the Parras and was able to have every item made locally for the first time and it was donated. On behalf of ReStore, Wise presented the family with a gift certificate to the store so they can pick a bookcase of their choosing for their new home. But what about books? They have already been donated by the Friends of the Wicomico County Library, with adult and children’s selections in Spanish. 

Christina Williams, director of development for Habitat, said the Parras have worked extremely hard to get into their home. Each family chosen by application to the program agrees to “sweat equity,” putting in several hundred hours for Habitat. They worked on their own home, the Chefs for Habitat fundraiser, and helped on others’ homes. After completing their required hours, they continued working and donated hours to another family, Williams said. Even the children were involved in the effort, earning hours for good grades to contribute to the family’s total. Full time, Mr. Parra is employed as a line worker at Amick Farms; Mrs. Parra works in packing for Mountaire Farms.

Salisbury mayor Jack Heath was on hand to give remarks and while acknowledging people might have heard negative things about the city’s housing initiative, “This is a living example of what Here is Home is about.” The program waives fees and offers incentives to try to increase the housing stock.

While this is Habitat’s 86^th home overall, this marked the 26^th home they have completed in the Church Street neighborhood, Williams said. Four more in Salisbury are currently being rehabbed and they will eventually go to partner families.

To read more about Habitat’s Building for the Future fundraiser and for information on donating, click here.