Thu Sep 02 2010
By LISA NICELY
One family's holiday dream has come true.
Scarlett Westcott and her children will be moving into their new home just in time for the holidays thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Defiance County. The Westcott family's new home at 1037 Madison Ave., has been built by Habitat for Humanity of Defiance County. The home is being dedicated today from 2-3 p.m. The public is welcome.
"To me it still does not seem real sometimes," said Westcott. "It is the best Christmas present I have ever received, and I can not thank all the people that put in endless hours to get this house complete, enough. I don't really know how that one story goes but it is about a little girl that wants to know if there is a Santa. I my case I would also say 'Yes there is a Santa.' "
"It sure does seem like a Christmas wish come true. I have been praying for a better place to live for the last seven years and without the help of (former Habitat board president) Caren Bauer, I would still be wishing that same wish."
Westcott will be moving into the home with her children, Cassy Ferguson, 14 and Sara Ferguson, 16.
"My children are all excited about the upcoming move," said Westcott. "They have been telling me what they want in their rooms and how they want it to look since the beginning of the build and have been asking a lot of questions since I have not taken them into the house lately. (I) kind of want it to be their Christmas present to see the finished house."
Families who get Habitat homes partner with the agencies. Each family has to contribute "sweat equity" into their home by helping build it or helping with another build. Westcott said this is the first house she has worked on, and is very grateful to everyone who helped build her new home.
"I do not know how I am ever going to be able to repay everyone for all they have done for me," she said. "They are the kindest , hard working and most deserving of praise and recognition, individuals I have ever met. The work that they do is hard work, and they do it all from the kindness of their heart in order to help a person in need.
"You do not know how very much I am indebted to you all. Your kindness and hard work will give my children and I a new start in life. We will not have to worry about having heat in the winter, getting sick all the time and so many other things thanks to your generosity and endless dedication to get my future home done in time for Christmas. If any one of you ever is in need of something, and I may be the person to supply the need, I would be so honored to help out and maybe be able to return or pay forward some of the fortune I am about to be given. God bless you all."
There will be a special Christmas surprise awaiting the family at the home on Dec. 21.
Leslie King, president of Habitat, said it is wonderful to have this Habitat home, the 12th in the county, done for the family.
"We are thrilled to have their house done before Christmas. It's exciting to be able to give Scarlet and her girls this Christmas gift," she said. "Christ's love for us, compels my family and many of our volunteers to help others. What a wonderful gift to give at the time we celebrate Jesus' birth. We give of our time but we also give warm shelter, security, pride and ownership."
Several community members and organizations helped with the build.
"I can't say thank you enough to every person that volunteers in some way or the other," said King. "We have volunteers that do mailings, work in our office, give monetarily, give of their time and talents actually working on the homes, make meals, give of their talents in helping to promote Habitat via articles and the website and those that pray for our mission. We also want to thank the businesses that donate in various ways. We value everyone who supports Habitat for Humanity."
Some of that support comes from volunteers Nate and Valerie Besaw of Defiance. They have been working on Westcott's home since August.
"We feel great about helping Scarlett and her family receive a new home," said Valerie Besaw. "The fact that we are finishing during the holiday season makes it even more special."
Nathan Besaw said that taking part in Habitat really "brings out the best in people."
"Every Habitat site we have been on has been filled with great people from all backgrounds," he said. "Habitat unites people together who may otherwise never have had the chance to meet. The Habitat community is earnest, dedicated, and compassionate, and I am proud to be associated with a group of people that exhibit those qualities."
Also helping with the build were Defiance College students.
Dr. Jan Bechtel took her freshmen seminar class to help work on the home during freshman service day. The women's basketball team at Defiance College and other students also helped out with the home's construction.
She said the students like being able to help others in a hands on way.
"They get to see that their work does something and when they go past the house they can realize they had a part in building that," Bechtel said. "It's a pretty good feeling."
She said being able to finish the house for the holidays is great.
"It's always great to be able to get people into a house, even more so when there is a holiday coming. Being in there for Christmas is even better," she said.
Another group that helped with the house was the United Way of Defiance County. The United Way provided funds to help build the foundation and part of the roof of the Westcotts' new home.
"I just think it's going to be such a wonderful community gift for Scarlett and her family," said Carrie Wetstein, executive director of the United Way of Defiance County. "It will definitely be a Christmas for them that they will remember."
Westcott echoed Wetstein's statement.
"Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and it sure will be the best Christmas I have ever had," she said. "This years Christmas will never be forgotten and always be remembered for the rest of my life."
Many volunteers and Habitat members will be at the home's dedication. Habitat board member Dr. Buck Buchanan said he is looking forward to the dedication.
"What better time to have a new home for a great family?," he said. "Anytime is great, but it seems that during the Christmas holidays, it is more special for Habitat and the family involved in the construction of a new home. What better Christmas present than to give a deserving family the keys to a new home? Credit must be given to the many people who worked tirelessly and fervently to finish the home in time for the holidays. They did a magnificent job."
He said there's also nothing like seeing the family during the event.
"What a joy to see the faces of our families when they receive the key to their home at the dedication," he said.
Buchanan said Habitat really means a lot to the region.
"For me, it means that our community is doing a great thing for a family that will positively affect them forever," he said. "Nothing is better than being part of a program where the outcome is actually seen for years to come. The affect Habitat has on the community is enormous as we enable stability for a family's life and future."
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