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  • 500th House | The Gardner Family logo
  • Family and Current Housing
    Norman and Marqitta Gardner long for the day they become homeowners and provide their children with a safe, decent, affordable place to call home. This family of seven currently lives in an overcrowded three bedroom scatter-site home in Canton. They have been on a waiting list to move into a larger home for some time - with no change. When the family moved into the home, there was extensive water damage in the kitchen including missing floorboards and baseboards, warped walls, and window trim that has pulled away from the walls. Repair work was started, but has not been completed two years later. Also of concern are mold in the basement and minor roof damage. Although the couple had previously been denied for the Habitat program due to high debt, they tried again with the hope of becoming first-time homeowners. The couple worked hard to pay off some of their debts and their second application to join the program was approved. Norman and Marqitta have five children who are active in various activities including band, basketball, football, singing, and academics. Together the family enjoys eating out, watching movies, going to the park, and celebrating holidays.

    A Bright Future
    Throughout their time in the partnership, Norman and Marqitta have worked together as a team to complete numerous hours of sweat equity on worksites, at ReStore, and in House2Home education classes. They look forward to the days spent building their future home alongside volunteers and their oldest children, Denaysha and Dayon. While completing Habitat requirements and helping raise their five children, Norman works hard to financially provide for his family. Soon, all of Norman and Marqitta’s hard work will pay off, and the Gardner family will have a safe, decent, affordable home of their own! “We will finally have our own space for our family,” Norman said. “We look forward to having privacy and being able to do any home redecorating without waiting for permission. It will be ours!”
Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio logo
In Support of Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio
As a grassroots Christian housing ministry serving Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, visit habitateco.org.
Helpful Tips for Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity

Thank you for volunteering with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, believing in our mission, and supporting one important goal: to eliminate substandard housing in this community. Here are some really important next steps and things to know about your upcoming volunteer day.

What is a typical work day like?
  • 8:30 a.m. | The work day begins. Please arrive a few minutes early so you can sign in and learn the day’s tasks and safety procedures.
  • 10:00 a.m. | Short break and devotional. (A snack will be provided.)
  • 12:00 p.m. | Lunch break. NOTE: Habitat will be providing lunch for all of the full-day volunteer opportunities on our 500th house. 
  • 2:30 p.m. | The work day ends.
What should volunteers wear?
  • You should wear appropriate clothing for the weather and the task. You could get hot, cold, sweaty, dirty, and dusty, and your clothes may get torn or stained. Your feet need to be protected, so closed toed shoes are required – no sandals! If your task is roofing, you must wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. No matter what, shirts must be worn at all times.
What should volunteers bring?
  • Water or Coffee: There will be water provided on the site, but bringing your own water is always a good idea. It is very important to stay hydrated on hot summer days. Please feel free to bring additional beverages, such as coffee, with you to the work site.
  • Hat and Sunscreen: If you will be working outside you’ll need to protect your neck and face from sunburn. Bring a hat and/or sunscreen.
  • Bandana: A bandana is great for wiping sweat from your face or soaking it in water to help cool you down.
  • Gloves, Tool Belt, and Nail Apron: Habitat has a limited number of these items available, so if you have your own, please bring them.
  • Personal Hand Tools: Habitat provides tools for the task of the day. However, feel free to bring your own hand tools, such as a hammer, tape measure, carpenter’s pencil, utility knife, or speed square. Make sure to label all your tools!
  • A Positive Attitude: Plan on having fun while putting in a hard day’s work. Remember the purpose for which you are volunteering – to build a quality home for a hard working family in need.
Worksite Courtesy and Safety
  • Smoking: There is NO SMOKING on any Habitat volunteer site. If you must take a smoking break, step away from the site.
  • Safety Is Our First Priority: We’ll take the appropriate time we need to build the house as carefully as if it were our own - with the best craftsmanship possible and in compliance with all applicable codes.
  • Pay Attention: The best way to ensure safety for all workers is to be aware of your surroundings, at all times. You need to look out for your fellow volunteers like they are looking out for you. If you see a potentially dangerous situation, let the Site Supervisor or someone know immediately. It’s also important to pay attention to the safety talk given at the beginning of your work day.
  • Protect Yourself: It is for your safety to wear any safety equipment provided to you by Habitat. This will depend on the scope of work for the day. In most cases you will need to wear eye protection and gloves. If you are framing a new home, you will be required to wear a hard hat. If dust bothers you, please wear a dust mask. Masks, gloves, eye protection, pants, and long-sleeved shirts are necessary when insulating. If working outside, remember to protect yourself from the sun.
  • Follow the Site Supervisor: On each job site, the Site Supervisor is the boss. There may be other ways to perform a specific task, but we do things the Habitat way. Once the Site Supervisor makes a decision, please follow his/her directions.
  • Respect: Please show respect to the building and environment with which you are working. Please take care of the tools and return them to the proper place when finished. We do our best to conserve building materials. We ask that you do the same. Respect your fellow volunteers. Work together, especially when cleaning up for the day, picking up trash and securing materials and tools.
  • Learn: Most people that volunteer with Habitat are learning on the job. It is a great experience when you learn something new and are able to teach someone else. Learn as much as you can during your volunteer experience. You’d be amazed at the new things you’ll learn!
Stay Connected
YOUR GIFT MATTERS

$1,000

provides home insulation

2
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$500

provides exterior doors

7
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$250

provides a front porch

2
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$100

provides a kitchen sink

11
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$50

provides a bucket of paint

11
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$25

provides 50 lbs. of nails

1
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
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