Grateful veterans move into Habitat for Humanity homes in Plymouth

Mar. 7—PLYMOUTH — A cold, driving rain soaked onlookers standing in a muddy field in front of the new home. On the front porch, Jennifer looked out on the small crowd and started to speak.

"This has been a very long two years," she said. "But now that I've gotten this far...." Then her voice trailed off. Overcome with emotion, Jennifer stood silent for a few moments. The crowd urged the former Marine on with "Hoorah!" and "You got it!"

In a broken voice and with tears in her eyes, Jennifer continued: "I stuck with it when I didn't think I could. I just want to thank everyone with helping build these houses. I'm overwhelmed with everyone's help and generosity."

The small group erupted in applause and cheers as she finished. Jennifer, standing with her three children, beamed a grateful smile. They were now ready to move into their new home, courtesy of many of the people standing in the rain and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth.

It was an emotional moment Saturday for both Jennifer and Tracy, an Air Force veteran, as they took ownership of their houses on Long Pond Road. The two Plymouth women — only first names are used to protect their anonymity — now have places of their own to raise their families in safety and comfort.

Three houses were built on land donated by Plymouth. In 2011, Town Meeting approved making the property available for constructing affordable homes with the stipulation that two of them were dedicated to veterans. Habitat for Humanity partnered with the town to take on the project. Jennifer and Tracy were selected for the veteran homes while the third house will go to a person who meets low-income guidelines.

To qualify, the women, who are both single parents, had to contribute "sweat equity" by helping build the houses, as well as meet income standards to purchase them. They worked side by side with volunteers and contractors for more than two years. Most of the work was done on Saturdays, when those donating their time could be there to nail and paint.

"I loved working alongside all of the volunteers," said Tracy, who also has three children. "It was fun being with the female volunteers in nontraditional roles, watching them working with their hands in carpentry. It was a real bonding experience. It's amazing that they come out here every Saturday and give it their all."

The project ended up taking longer than expected because of COVID-19. Some volunteers opted out of the effort due to the threat. However, a core group of individuals — many of them attending the dedication ceremony in the pouring rain — faithfully showed up each week and continued to work on the houses.

"I want to commend the volunteers who helped build our homes," said site supervisor Doug Ballum. "These people have been so dedicated who have shown up here so many Saturdays. In fact, it has been 105 Saturdays at this site. They stuck it out throughout the pandemic and all the issues we had. Thank you!"

In addition to volunteers, many local companies contributed products and services to build the 1,300-square-foot homes, located on a two-acre wooded lot that had to be cleared of 1,200 trees. Jim Middleton, executive director of Habitat for Humanity for Greater Plymouth, took the time to acknowledge the debt owed to the many contractors and trades people who chipped in to help.

"We are here to dedicate two houses today," he said. "We are dedicating them to the families who will be in those houses, to the children who will grow up here. We are dedicating them to the people who have built these houses — all the people who gave time, money, materials, trades, including plumbers, electricians, roofers — and the town of Plymouth."

Tracy and Jennifer have become close through their common experiences of serving in the military and building the houses on Long Pond Road. They are thrilled to be moving into their new homes and even happier they are located next to each other.

"I look forward to having you as a neighbor," Tracy said with a big grin as she embraced Jennifer at the end of the dedication ceremony and at the beginning of what appears to be a long and lasting friendship.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth and the local projects it does, visit www.hfhplymouth.org/.

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