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Healthier Sussex County Initiative joins Habitat for Humanity to build two homes in Georgetown

July 24, 2013

The CEOs of Bayhealth Medical Center, Beebe Medical Center and Nanticoke Health Services, under the collaborative initiative Healthier Sussex County, joined with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity to bless a new project to build two more homes in the Georgetown Point Community.

Over the next few months, employees from the three hospitals will volunteer their time and work with other volunteers, as well as the future homeowners, to build the two houses. The three CEOs - Terry Murphy, FACHE, of Bayhealth; Jeffrey M. Fried, FACHE, of Beebe; and Steve Rose, RN, MN, of Nanticoke, also will participate as volunteers in the construction process. They will work together onsite Friday, Aug. 23, during a special CEO Build Day to show their strong support in this new partnership with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.

“These three great healthcare institutions in Sussex County have joined together with the goal to make the residents of our county achieve better health,” said Tom Protack, community engagement director for Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, at the groundbreaking ceremony July 10.

The homes are being built for Kisha Jones and her two children, and Antonia Velasquez and her three children. Both women work in the healthcare industry in Sussex County. The women not only will participate in the construction of their homes and others by working 250 hours a year, but they also are purchasing the homes with a not-for-profit, 30-year mortgage through Sussex Habitat. It is anticipated that these homes will be completed within five months.

“Today we are celebrating not only the groundbreaking of these two homes, but also the progress we are making with the Healthier Sussex County initiative,” said Fried. “We have discussed what we can do to keep people in Sussex County healthier through addressing disparities in healthcare and education, and working with our community members to help engage them in making healthier lifestyle choices. We recognize the importance of our partnerships with Quality Insights of Delaware, Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, La Red and now Habitat for Humanity to make Sussex County among the healthiest counties in the nation.”

Other volunteers who took part in the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony included students from Seton Catholic High School in Binghamton, N.Y.; Heritage Shores Military Club from Bridgeville who were volunteering on the nearby Veteran Build Project; and longtime Habitat volunteers.

The two houses are being built in Georgetown Point, a single-family neighborhood where Habitat for Humanity has purchased 22 lots.

“Habitat homes are the labor and fruits of many individuals,” said Gilmore.

Through the Healthier Sussex County initiative, the three hospitals join with local community and health resources to focus on one mission – to make Sussex County one of the healthiest in the nation.

Healthier Sussex County focuses on addressing important health issues impacting residents of Sussex County by identifying and addressing health disparities; identifying and addressing health education issues; and making a positive impact on health behaviors. Visit www.healthiersussexcounty.com. For more information on how to volunteer to work on these houses, go to www.sussexcountyhabitat.org.

 

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