Livermore Dedication--Feb. 24th, 2007
Nearly 200 friends and supporters joined together on Saturday, February 24th to celebrate the completion of the final phase of construction of twenty-two “green” Habitat for Humanity East Bay homes at Freeda Court, and applaud as keys were handed over to seven new homeowners of Freeda Court in Livermore.
Habitat for Humanity Board president Michael O’Kane described the day as: “’a celebration of Habitat’s relationship with the local community in Livermore…of all of the volunteers who gave of their time to build these homes… of our collective commitment to affordable housing the Bay Area.” He also provided an update about the recent merger with the Mt. Diablo Habitat affiliate.
Providing historical context, Habitat Housing Development Director Jim Bergdoll described a preliminary meeting in 2000 with City of Livermore officials who told him, “they would do whatever it would take to make this happen. We thought we had died and gone to heaven.” He acknowledged Brian O’Reilly, Elteen Stone, Maurine Behrend, Rosemary Young, Bob Hoffman, Judi Irwin, Ann Wilburn, the Van Arkel family and others for seeing the project through.
City of Livermore Vice Mayor John Marchand acknowledged Habitat volunteers and staff for going above and beyond the call of duty to work closely with City staff from the outset, and for making Freeda Court a model community – one of which the City could be extremely proud.
The ceremony proceeded as Kim Ota, Habitat Homeowner Relations Coordinator, AmeriCorps members and home sponsors – Tri-Valley Interfaith, Y&H Soda Foundation, Bay East Realtors and Habitat’s own ReStore - presented each family with keys to their new homes, a hammer, and a book of faith.. New homeowners -Alejandro and Edith Alvarez, Antonio and Maricela Jimenez, Jayme McMillan, Kari and Ryan Greenlee, Annette and Arlene Raftery, Jose Trejo and Dolores Garcia, Melinda Moore and Eric Washington, and most of their 19 children– all had a different story to tell, but each conveyed a strong sense of commitment and gratitude. According to Arlene Raftery who welcomed attendees to tour the home she will share with her twin sister Annette and daughter Kristina: “I never expected to be able to buy a home in the same town where I grew up.”
Janice Jensen, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director and event emcee, concluded by thanking the City of Livermore, PG&E, Alameda County Waste Management Authority, and all of the home sponsors, volunteers, staff and friends who helped make these twenty-two families’ dreams come true.
