MASON CITY -A groundbreaking ceremony took place Wednesday evening in Mason City for a family in need.
Thanks to the generosity of volunteers from the Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa and donors like Tim Latham, a mother and her two daughters will be awaiting the construction of their new home, located at the 1400 block of North Penn Avenue.
Amber Ferry and her two daughters Isabel, age 6 and Grace, age 1 were at the location Wednesday as were some of the folks who made the gesture possible.
“I want to thank Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa and everyone who made this possible,” said Amber.
Isabel, in a quiet, shy voice, said, “I’m excited and thank you.”
The home will be the first handicapped-accessible home built by Habitat for Humanity, to accommodate Isabel, who suffers from Spina Bifida and uses a wheelchair for mobility.
Larson Manufacturing is a major contributor and Tim Latham, a local real estate agent and businessman, is donating the land where the home will be built. Another home will be in the works, as well. Both lots will be side by side.
“I think it’s great for this family to have their own home,” Tim Latham said Friday morning. “The land was given by my wife Kris, Joe Paulsen and myself.”
At the groundbreaking ceremony, there were two 2×4’s laid out for people to sign. These two boards will be placed somewhere in the building structure of the house. The family will know where they are and remember the people that wished them well in their new home.
Melissa Schoneberg, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa, introduced everyone that was involved. She talked about the construction that will be done by students from the Building Trades class from NIACC. She also asked the public to help if they so choose, saying, “Anyone that would like to volunteer to help build the house is welcome.”
