Youths work on Habitat house

August 24, 2007

Fourteen youths poured out their sweat and energy earlier this month, working in the more than 90-degree weather to help with construction of a Habitat for Humanity house in Hagerstown.

This is the third year in a row that St. John the Baptist Church of Silver Spring, Md., has brought its youth group to Washington County to participate in a Habitat house. Led by Youth Pastor Denis Guma, the group brings its enthusiasm and desire to help others, doing jobs such as shoveling gravel with a smile.

On Aug. 8, the group marked an important milestone on the new five-bedroom house by raising its very first wall. The family who will live in the house, Marco and Diana Delgado and their seven children, were present for the special occasion. The Delgados have put in their share of the work as well, building up "sweat equity" hours of labor in order to qualify for the no profit, no interest mortgage.

Emily Watt, one of the youth participants, was excited to meet the family after working on the house all week.

"It's so cool to be able to do this for them," Watt said with a beaming grin.

Trinity Lutheran Church of Hagerstown housed the youth group for the week, in addition to providing meals and evening activities. The church has been an important part of the success of the entire house project, both financially and through providing volunteers and food.

Trinity has donated $10,000 to the project through its foundation, Trinity Charitable Foundation. Additionally, the church has challenged its congregation to raise funds for the house by committing to match funds raised up to another $5,000.

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