'Everyone deserves to have a home'

COEUR d'ALENE - There's a wraparound wooden deck, a good-looking kitchen and a comfortable living space at the new house on 12th Street and Hazel Avenue.

Not least of all, there's room for Carolyn Williams' three teenaged children, too.

"I love it. I appreciate it more because I actually helped," Williams said. "I learned a little bit of construction."

The whole family - Carolyn, 18-year-old Matthew, 15-year-old Rebecca and 13-year-old Sara - attended Saturday's home dedication at the Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho Hamilton Woods location.

Now the proud owner of a well-built, energy-efficient home, Williams celebrated with Habitat volunteers, officials and friends.

"It's always really special for me, and for lots of folks, and especially for the homeowner," said Eula Hickam, chair of the Habitat board of directors and veteran of 30 housing projects. "We're very excited to be here. It's been a true blessing."

In August 2007, Williams, who works at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, applied for a Habitat for Humanity home. She was accepted last March, and construction commenced a few months later.

"We actually started building it October of last year - so about seven months (ago)," Williams recalled.

Volunteers and professional builders worked all winter. Williams was a fixture on the job site - Habitat recipients help build their own homes whenever possible.

Students from Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland high schools also lent a hand.

"This couldn't happen without the volunteers, the kids from the high schools coming every single week to put this house together," construction supervisor Greg Nowak said at the dedication.

The Hamilton Woods home was built to exceed Energy Star qualifications, he explained, adding, "We're very proud of what we've done here."

Williams received several community donations on Saturday.

Her cupboards are already stocked with food, courtesy Coeur d'Alene Grocery Outlet owners Sarena and Steve Mayer. Habitat secretary Lorna Wasson handed out housewarming quilts - one for each family member - created by the craftswomen of Christ the King Church.

And Jennifer Bendinelli, the family partner, presented Williams with a new Bible.

Coeur d'Alene Mayor Sandi Bloem offered her thanks on behalf of the Lake City.

"We believe very strongly in the city that everyone deserves to have a home," Bloem said. "All of you are their extended family, and I think they'll remember that for a long, long time."

In the final moments of the dedication, Pastor Neal Buckaloo of Lutheran Church of the Master blessed the Habitat house. As he spoke, Karalyn, Matthew, Rebecca and Sara clasped hands on the front deck.

"It's one of the best days of my life," Williams said. "I mean, how many people get a home?"