Habitat for Humanity celebrates 30 years

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has changed the county in its 30 years of existence, said CEO Kevin Gilmore.

The organization has helped 160 families purchase affordable homes, provided home repairs to 400 families, given financial coaching to 1,500 people, and welcomed 40,000 volunteers, Gilmore said during a 30th anniversary celebration June 10 at the Cheer Community Center in Georgetown. 

Gilmore said he wore a new suit from Sears 18 years ago when he applied for a job with Habitat.

“I was applying for what became my life’s work,” he said.

Sussex Habitat was incorporated June 10, 1991, Gilmore said. The organization builds affordable homes with and for families, couples and individuals, and offers neighborhood revitalization, home repairs, energy-efficient upgrades, and advocates to increase access to safe and affordable housing.

“I am proud to stand here today 30 years later and know that vision has been unwavered,” he said. Quoting anthropologist Margaret Mead, he said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Ryan Revel, who owned a timber framing business in Frankford in the 1980s, said she belonged to a timber framers guild that was approached by Habitat to build a house for a family. Every timber framer donated a timber or two, and in 1989, volunteers built two houses in Pennsylvania in one week.

“And as you all well know, the partner families got so much more than a house,” Revel said. “My life and the lives of hundreds of other people were forever changed.”

When she returned to Sussex County, Revel said she wanted to establish a Habitat mission. 

“We built houses for people who could afford multiple houses,” she said. “I wanted to build houses for people who needed homes. I will forever cherish my involvement with Habitat for Humanity.”

The evening included testimony from several partner families.

Opra Hudson, a new homeowner in Laurel, said her pastor told her she would own a home within the year. Her friend recommended she contact Habitat, but she thought at first the organization only helped people with children. But, she called and found out that was not the case and began to feel hope.

“I knew that it was God's will because I felt so much love,” she said. “Sussex County Habitat is a representation of God’s love.”

Diego Gonzales said his family was accepted as a veteran’s build in 2014. Before then, he said, he had moved 13 times and never got to call a place home. Gonzales now works as assistant manager at Habitat ReStore, a retail center that accepts donations of new and gently used furniture, décor, appliances and building materials from the public and sells them at discounted prices. 

“I'm honored to be serving with the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, working with the same awesome, dedicated people who come in every single day in support of our mission,” he said. “I hope that through our work, I can give back the same blessing my family received when we first were given the keys to our home.”

Longtime volunteer Bob Patterson said he got involved with Habitat when he retired in 1998 and wanted to do something besides fish. He presented an award to volunteer Bob Hesaltine, who has built more than 140 sets of front steps in 25 years.

Board President Dan Welch read a tribute from the governor's office recognizing Habitat on its 30th anniversary. He praised Gilmore for making Sussex County a great place to live and for putting God’s words into action.

“Kevin, you are one of the best people I know,” he said. “Thank you to Kevin and his team for continuing to be Sussex County all-stars.”

For more information, go to sussexcountyhabitat.org.