New Home in Harrisburg

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area dedicated a new home in Harrisburg in the Allison Hill section of the city. The dedication ceremony took place on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at the home located at 25 N. 13th Street in Harrisburg. The dedication was the 58th for Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area.

The keys to the home were turned over to the Patricia Carpintieri family during the dedication ceremony, which culminated with a ribbon cutting to officially welcome the home’s new residents.

This home, a three-bedroom, single-family dwelling, was made possible through a grant from Square D/Schneider Electric. Square D is the flagship brand of Schneider Electric. Square D is also providing a Square D brand load center, circuit breakers, and other related electrical equipment to every Habitat home built in the United States in a partnership worth more than $7 million.

“Nationwide, Square D has become one of the biggest partners with Habitat for Humanity. Locally, this is the third home we have completed with their direct support, making them one of our biggest partners as well,” said Habitat Executive Director Eve Wachhaus. “On this project, we also had some major volunteer work provided by local organizations as well as the family about to move into their own home.”

Patricia and her four children make up a partner family with Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area and they have already contributed 350 hours of sweat equity on their new home. Through Habitat for Humanity, Carpintieri will also have a no-interest loan on the property.

Organizations putting in time on the North 13th Street project included members of the State Senate Democratic Caucus, who have been volunteering on Harrisburg work sites for the past five years. Also, several volunteer groups were brought together to assist on this project by Ameriprise Financial Services on the West Shore.

The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank also participated in the dedication by donating food to stock the shelves in the new home. Central PA Food Bank has been dedicated to ending hunger in the Central PA area for more than 20 years and provides this service for all the new Habitat homes in Harrisburg.

Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area is an ecumenical ministry that welcomes all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Through volunteer labor, tax deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity builds new homes, rehabs and repairs homes and provides educational workshops. Homes are sold to partner families at no profit and with no-interest mortgages. Since its inception in 1986, the Harrisburg area affiliate has built more than 50 houses in the Harrisburg, PA area providing simple, decent and affordable homes with families in need. For more information, visit www.harrisburghabitat.org or contact the Habitat office at 545-7299.