Most people look under the tree for Christmas gifts!!!

GAINESVILLE – Traditionally, most people look beneath the Christmas tree to find their gift; in the case of Sha and Ariana Cheeks they look at what surrounds the tree to see theirs: a new three-bedroom home.

Team members with Habitat for Humanity of Hall County greeted arriving friends and family members to the dedication of the Cheek’s new home, the newest house on Tall Pine Way in the Copper Glen Subdivision, handing them blue paper booties as “the weather outside was frightful” and the ceremony had to be moved indoors. 

Habitat Hall leaders quickly point out the fact that the houses they construct are not given away; they are earned.  Thom Price, Habitat Hall board chairman, said, “In November of 2015 I met Sha building (another) house…it’s a long process; it’s a major commitment.”

“I had to volunteer a total of 260-hours,” Sha said of her undertaking. “You’ve got to work hard for it (and) I still have a mortgage to pay.  I think people appreciate it more…they take care of it (the house) more when they have to work for it.”

Sha said she learned of Habitat’s housing program from a friend.  “At first I was hesitant about it but I thought I would check it out just to see.  I went for the orientation and filled out the application and to my surprise I was approved.  I was so excited.”

“They did say it was not going to be a quick fix - that it was going to take a while,” Sha said of her 25-month journey to home ownership.