ATTLEBORO — A cloud of dust hovered 2 or 3 feet off the ground in the hot, dry summer air at 134 Pike Ave. Wednesday afternoon.
At least 30 people waded in awaiting a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new home under the supervision of Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, whose mission statement is to “Build Homes, communities and hope for local families.
Local builder Bill Ward had cleared a small patch of the densely wooded half-acre for people to move around while waiting for the ceremony to begin as a nest of yellow jackets hummed ominously in the ground nearby.
The 1,500 square foot home will cost $300,000 and will feature three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a one-car garage.
Habitat CEO Kim Thomas said the fundraiser was around $40,000, but the organization was moving forward with clearing the land and setting up the foundation.
A family for the home has yet to be selected, she said.
Thomas said the owner of the lot donated it and wished to remain anonymous.
A prayer was said to bless the earth and the house to come.
Bristol County Savings Bank President and CEO Patrick Murray presented a giant ceremonial check worth $50,000 to Thomas to raise the fundraising level to $260,000.
The BSCB has been Habitat’s biggest supporter over the years, Thomas said.
Whichever family is chosen to occupy the house, they will have to contribute “sweat equity” or 500 hours of labor to help build it.
“I can’t wait to meet the family,” Murray told the crowd as the dust swirled.
State Rep. Jim Hawkins, D-Attleboro, was also in attendance.
“It really takes a village and that’s what’s happening here,” he said of the many donors to the cause and the organizations that have come together to make the project work.
The last Habitat home built in Attleboro was unveiled in June 2017. It sits on the corner of Forest and Holman streets.
George W Rhodes can be reached at 508-236-0432.
