Roof raising held on Habitat For Humanity house in Copperas Cove
By NICOLE METTS
Cove Leader-Press
Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity invited the Wilbanks family last Saturday to join a “Raise the Roof” ceremony in Copperas Cove.
Amanda Wilbanks and her children Ashly 18, a recent graduate of CCHS; Dylan, a senior at CCHS; and Ivan age 12, and entering 7th grade at CCJS, arrived around 9 a.m. to refreshments and a framed house.
Pastor Mike Harrigan of Fairview Community Church of Copperas Cove lead a prayer to bless the home, the family and everyone involved in its construction and then helped in the labor of construction.
“We are super excited,” said Amanda Wilbanks. “I feel very blessed to be a part of it. I like to help them too, as well to promote so other people, other families, can find out about the program.”
Last September was when the organization broke ground on an empty lot at 2012 Wanda St. and construction began on the Wilbanks home in May.
Now, the roof trusses are being installed in a group effort using the small crew, volunteers, and family.
Ken Cates, CEO of the Fort Hood area Habitat For Humanity said volunteers are always needed and that “many hands make light work.”
Habitat for Humanity provides new homes for hard working, low income families that otherwise could not afford a mortgage.
The organization provides a low-interest loan to first-time home buyers who also work with volunteers and sponsors to build their own homes.
“It’s a slow process, but its God’s timing. There are a lot of people who get into the program and don’t want to wait it out because it’s a lengthy process. You have to really work for it,” said Wilbanks. “The purpose of the program is to help you not get into the situation that you were in to begin with. Now I know what I can do with the knowledge I have gained from it. It’s going to be a peaceful situation - that’s amazing. God’s hands were in it, that’s for sure.”
Tyler Frank, Wilbanks’ brother-in-law, was there on Saturday.
“As long as you help out others while you are struggling yourself, things are always going to come back your way,” he said.
Jessica Frank, Wilbanks’ sister, was also there to provide support.
“Mandy has always, matter what situation she’s in, she’s always been the one to give her last to someone else and it’s been amazing to watch everything come together for her.”
Antoinette Meyreles, fundraising coordinator for the area Habitat For Humanity said she’s extremely happy for the family.
“I met them from the very beginning, so it’s nice to see it come fruition,” Meyreles said. “Starting as a volunteer, now as an employee, it’s nice to see the process as a whole from beginning to end. We are always seeking home applicants.”
For more information on Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity that serves Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas Counties, go to www.fhahfh.org, visit their location at 2601 Atkinson Ave. Killeen, or call 254-680-4007.