Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley Dedicates First Home in Beverly | News, sports, jobs

Jeremy Sargent pumps his fist Sunday during the dedication of his family’s new home in Beverly, built by Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley, while his daughter Abigail, left, looks at books presented to them by the Alpha Delta Teachers Association Kappa and her daughter Emery hold a teddy bear from the Senior Stitchers group. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

BEVERLY — Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley dedicated its 116th home — and first in Beverly — on Sunday afternoon.

Jeremy Sargent and his three children received the keys to their home and other gifts surrounded by Habitat volunteers and community members.

Sargent said the opportunity arose “by the grace of God” as he struggled to find an apartment.

“You called me when I was in a hopeless situation” he said.

As is required of all Habitat homes, Sargent worked with volunteers to build his home and will do the same for other Habitat homes.

From left: Jeremy Sargent and his children Emery, Collier and Abigail pose for photos on the patio of their new Habitat for Humanity home in Beverly on Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“There is a certain level of honor in being in a home that you have worked so hard for.” he said.

This equity is part of the process of purchasing a Habitat home, along with repaying an interest-free loan for the purchase.

In addition to the house keys, Sargent and his children received a Bible from Habitat board member Carolyn Garrity, books from the Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers Association, an American flag from the Blennerhassett Daughters of the American Revolution and quilts from the Parkersburg-based Senior Stitchers group.

That final gift included a blue teddy bear, which earned Senior Stitchers President Pat Barker an enthusiastic hug from Sargent’s daughter, Emery. Barker said the group wants to make sure the children feel included in all activities surrounding the dedication “as comfortable as possible” Moving into a new house.

The Sargents’ home is the first of three homes to be built in the same Beverly neighborhood.

Jeremy Sargent hugs Senior Stitchers President Pat Barker after she presented his family with quilts and a teddy bear made by group members at the dedication of the family’s home in Beverly, built by Habitat for Humanity, on Sunday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Habitat Executive Director Robin Stewart thanked the volunteers who helped with construction, both newscasters and regulars, for whom the journey to Beverly was quite a burden.

“Volunteers are the heart of this organization” she said. “Without the people who get up on Thursday or Friday and say, ‘Today I’m going to help my neighbor, this wouldn’t be possible.'”

A new contributor was Top Shop in Parkersburg, which made the cabinets and countertops for the home.

“We plan to make this a long-term partnership” said Top Shop owner Daniel Collie. “I’m just trying to find a way to give back to the community we work in.”

Donations for the house also came from the Ohio Department of Development and the Marietta Welfare League.

Jeremy Sargent’s daughter Emery (right) hugs Senior Stitchers President Pat Barker after Barker presented the Sargent family with quilts for their new home and a blue teddy bear for Emery at the dedication of the family’s Habitat for Humanity on Sunday all made by group members home in Beverly. (Photo provided by Lisa Collins)

Lisa Collins, director of communications and development for the local Habitat organization, said the next project will be a house on Plum Street in Parkersburg, with an emphasis on female volunteers involved in the construction. More information about volunteering and contributing to the organization can be found online at www.habitatmov.com.

Evan Bevins can be reached at [email protected].

The Sargent family poses for photos on the patio of their new Habitat for Humanity home in Beverly on Sunday afternoon. (Photo by Evan Bevins)