A Thanksgiving Celebration

For One Family

   Dedication Ceremony for New Habitat Home.

Having grown up in Africa, getting used to American traditions is something Tewedros “Teddy” Ghebresselasie and his family are working on.  One tradition they are learning is that it is important to share Thanksgiving at home, with one’s family.  That will happen this year.

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area will dedicate a new home in the Allison Hill section of Harrisburg just in time for the holiday.   The dedication ceremony will take place on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at 3:30 P.M. at the home located at 1441 Zarker Street in Harrisburg

Members of the Teddy’s family will be the guests of honor as they will receive the keys to their new home.  The family of three contributed more than 350 sweat equity hours toward the completion of the home, which was a Habitat for Humanity rehab project.  This dedication will also recognize the group behind this project, all the volunteers that helped bring Teddy’s dream alive.

“To have my own home, to be able to bring my family and my friends without stress is wonderful,” said Ghebresslasie. “I am happy to be a homeowner.  Thanks to everybody, volunteers, staff…everybody involved.”

Click here to see news coverage from this event.

“Habitat’s goal of eliminating poverty housing is taking another step forward with the completion of this rehab home for Teddy and his family,” said Habitat Executive Director Eve Wachhaus.  “The family now has a safe, affordable home in which to live. This home will remind us to be thankful for what we have and to remember those not as fortunate.”

Teddy and his family are relatively new to this country as they moved here from Erites, Africa in 1996.  Teddy supports his family with his job in the shipping industry.  The family will be provided a no-interest, affordable loan on the property provided by Habitat for Humanity.

Click here to see photos from this event.

Additional funding sources for the home rehab project came from the City of Harrisburg and its Community Development Block Grant and Wells Fargo Bank.  Employees of Wells Fargo also spent many hours working on the Zarker Street site.

The Central PA Food Bank will also be on hand to welcome the family as they stock the new home’s kitchen with food.  Central PA Food Bank has been dedicated to ending hunger in the Central PA area for more than 21 years.  Following the dedication ceremony on Saturday, members of the Habitat staff will team up with the Food Bank to provide complete Thanksgiving meals to other Habitat families in the area.

The Susquehanna Chapter of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America is scheduled to present the family with an embroidered sampler during the afternoon ceremony.