Construction for a Good Cause: Habitat for Humanity Store to Open Soon

The enormous creekside building that once housed Ace Hardware in downtown Sylva is being renovated for use as a store for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit group that renovates and builds houses for low-income families in Jackson County.

The store opens this month (October) and will sell discounted and donated building materials, furniture, knick-knacks for the home, construction supplies and more. Donations of any items except clothes are sought. The store hopes to offer mostly like-new merchandise.

Habitat for Humanity (or HFH) is a Christian housing ministry it helps eligible needy people to renovate or purchase their homes. A program participant must meet income requirements, prove substantial need, and put in "sweat equity" hours by helping to build the home along with the many community volunteers who provide the labor needed to erect or renovate the house. The program participant receives an interest-free loan if a traditional home loan is unavailable, and is able to purchase the home at a reduced amount because the price basically consists of the cost of land and materials.

Seven houses have been completed by the Jackson County HFH since June 2006. Two house projects currently are underway, on Cullowhee Mountain.

For more information or to find out how you can volunteer, call executive director Joyce Russell at 586-1232.