Habitat for Humanity fundraiser set for Saturday
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on March 29, 2012 1:46 PM
To help get some of the 25 percent of Wayne County people who live in poverty out of substandard housing, Habitat for Humanity of Goldsboro-Wayne will hold a fundraising event Saturday.
The 3rd annual Hike for Humanity and Family Fun Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stoney Creek Park.
It will feature a 1.5-mile hike the first hour throughout the park. Those wanting to participate may register online at habitatgoldsboro.org or the day of the event between 9:15 and 9:45 a.m.
The hike is family friendly and children in strollers and animals are welcome to participate.
There will also be live entertainment featuring Drumline, a group from the Boys and Girls Club of Wayne County.
The fire department will have a fire truck on hand that children may walk around and climb on to learn more about fire safety.
The police department will have its SWAT and D.A.R.E. teams on hand.
Also at the fundraiser will be kids games, bouncy houses, dunking booths and sumo wrestling. Cost of all the games will be $1 each.
Hot dogs, Frankie's Italian Ice and other food will be for sale for $1 each.
The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about substandard housing, said Elizabeth Rutland, development coordinator for Habitat for Humanity.
"The funds we raise will go to build homes in Wayne County to help those living in poverty," she said.
"We want to raise awareness about what Habitat's mission is, too. A lot of people think we give away homes, but the families pay a mortgage. It's a hand up, not a hand out."
Five Habitat families will be on hand to share how their lives have changed since Habitat helped them.
Ms. Rutland said the proceeds will be used for a two-day blitz build in May.
Habitat has been in Wayne County for 10 years. It's currently working toward its 49 and 50th homes.
Homeowners are required to put in 300 hours of "sweat equity" for their home and other Habitat homes, Ms. Rutland said.
"So they really have sweat, blood and tears in it when they get their home," she said. "It's like having a part-time job along with what they do for a living."
The owner of the first Habitat house here paid off her mortgage back in November, Ms. Rutland said.