At a dedication ceremony Saturday, Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity gave Joseph Johnson and his 6-year-old son, JoJo, the keys to their new home.
The house, on Himes Street in Norman, was a project of OU’s Greek community.
Executive Director of Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity Jana Castleberry said it was the help from OU students that made the project possible.
“OU students provided about 90 percent of the labor on this project,” Castleberry said.
Students built the house on Fridays and Saturdays during the spring semester, she said.
“We want to thank the students. They hatched the idea, did the fund raising and organized the volunteers,” she said.
Students started raising money in 2008, and earned about $40,000 for the project.
Construction manager Josh Carson, construction science senior, worked on the planning, scheduling, on-site volunteer coordination and obtained materials for the home.
“It’s definitely been an eye-opener,” Carson said about the project. “I come from a background in commercial construction, so this was totally different.”
Carson said that Habitat for Humanity was a “great organization to be involved with”, and he will also be the construction manager for Habitat’s next house in the area.
Castleberry said that the construction of the house was different than any other so far.
“This is the first house to be built with this level of energy efficiency,” Castleberry said.
Kathryn Frazier, Habitat Board of Directors president, also noted the organization’s new direction.
“This house is very reflective of us moving forward,” Frazier said.
Frazier also talked about Johnson before giving him the keys to his new home.
“Joseph, I’ve been on the board for five years, and you’re my favorite,” she said. “I hope that you will be a special banner for us in this community.”
Johnson’s son, JoJo, has Down Syndrome, and when JoJo was diagnosed with leukemia, the family was forced to move into substandard housing.
Johnson said he applied for Habitat for Humanity “on a fluke” and was “shocked” when he discovered he had been chosen.
“I really didn’t think it was going to happen,” Johnson said.
Johnson helped complete the Habitat’s previous house on Eufaula Street before working on his own.
Johnson said it is difficult to gauge JoJo’s reaction.
“He seems to be excited, but we don’t know if he understands the concept,” Johnson said.
JoJo’s will conclude his chemotherapy treatment in August, Johnson said .
“I’m at a loss for words,” Johnson said. “And for those of you who know me, you know that’s rare.”
Board member Mark Cox was on the construction committee and this was the third house he’s been associated with, he said.
“It’s a joyous occasion — we see a family that was in substandard housing move to a home to raise and nurture a child,” Cox said.
The next Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity project, begins Aug. 15, and volunteers are always needed and welcome, Cox said.
“It’s amazing how much can get done with volunteers,” he said.
Those interested in volunteering can call the Habitat office at 360-7868 or visit its Web site at www.ccokhfh.org.
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TheJR 2 years, 10 months ago
Very cool story.