Habitat South Palm Beach County dedicates 84th home

Mary Helen Oljnek, left, with Meshell Fashaw, Steve Echols and Jermain Fashaw.

By Palm Beach Business.com

BOYNTON BEACH — Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County dedicated a home to Jermain and Meshell Fashaw on June 6, under the welcomed shade of a huge tree. The Fashaws began completing their 500 hours of “sweat equity” in October of 2009, working on six other Habitat for Humanity homes beside their own.

The ceremony kicked-off with music sung by Deacon Jerome Weatherspoon and Lacora Funches.

Boca Raton’s Estahakee chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution donated the first of a year’s supply of outdoor American Flag kits. The flag flew for the first time at the ceremony while the Fashaw’s children, India and Jermain, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Barbara Michaelson, who is Jermain and Meshell’s Family Support Partner, had the honor of presenting the keys to the new homeowners. The Family Support Partner program enables Habitat for Humanity families to foster partnerships, instill pride in homeownership, and develop skills and knowledge of home construction and proper home maintenance. It is only a one-year commitment, but many times it leads to lifelong friendships.

Publix Super Markets Charities, which sponsored the home with a $25,000 grant, was represented by Lee Mohler and Dennis Bennett from Publix Super Markets. Mary Helen Olejnik represented the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, A McCormick Foundation Fund, which supported the home with a $10,000 grant. Bay Branch Foundation and Computing Solutions also gave gifts towards the home’s construction.

The ceremony ended with a dance performance by Aishia & Ashely Weatherspoon. Chrissy’s Sweet Treats donated a cake for the party afterwards, which included lots of homemade food from family and friends.

Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1991, and supports the communities of Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach.

Each partner family is required to invest 500 hours of their own time in the construction of Habitat homes with the majority of hours being invested in their own home. They must then pay back the actual cost of the home through a non-interest bearing mortgage, with monthly payments of principal, taxes, and insurance. This system has the effect of building self-esteem in the partner families, which benefits the individual family and the community as a whole. On almost any given Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, volunteers are invited to work on a house in the community.

Lee Mohler, left, with Steve Echols, Dennis Bennett and Gina Graves.