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Habitat Dedicates New San Andreas Home

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The carpet is being laid this week and other finishing touches will soon be made; the Maldonado family can´t wait to move in to their new San Andreas home.

On Sunday, the family gathered with many Habitat for Humanity, Calaveras members to dedicate the family´s new home.

It has been more than three years since Habitat for Humanity n an all-volunteer organization that builds houses for families that have had difficulty entering the housing market – has completed a home at its Hope Court parcels in San Andreas.

To be eligible for a Habitat home, owners must participate in the construction of the dwelling. The family must perform a minimum of 400 hours of “sweat equity.”

Connie Conrad, president of the Calaveras County chapter of Habitat, said the family and extended family put in well over that minimum.

Walt Vater, who served as project coordinator during a good portion of the construction, estimated the family probably tripled the 400-hour minimum. He called the project “an emotional roller coaster,” noting the house was originally going to be built using steel construction methods. The engineer with experience in that construction method quit after the plans were submitted to the county Building Department.

Vater said the project´s plumber, Jim Rohr, died shortly after the rough plumbing was completed and that his own grandson had to be air-lifted to a Modesto hospital after he fell and suffered a head injury. “Zach´s doing very well in college now,” Vater assured the crowd.

At Sunday´s dedication, Conrad thanked many area businesses that donated goods and services to the construction of the house. The Maldonado home is the third Habitat for Humanity has built from scratch, and a fourth home came after volunteers completely remodeled an existing structure.

The dedication began at the San Andreas Community Covenant Church, then participants proceeded on foot to the home with Lloyd Anderson leading the way while playing the bagpipes.

At the church, the Maldonados were given the keys to their new house and a copy of the bible.

“Thanks to all the people who helped build my house,” said Steve Maldonado. “I´m thankful that God found a way” to make this all happen.

Eva, Steve´s wife, also appreciated the efforts of the group. “This will give us a chance to prosper,” she said.

The Maldonado children, Stephanie, 17, Angie, 16, Vanessa, 14, and Christina, 13, each took turns thanking God and the volunteers. “This is our very first brand new house,” Stephanie gushed.

Steve said his family is looking forward to getting settled into the house that became a home Sunday afternoon. The Maldonados rent a place on Swiss Ranch Road right now and Steve admitted he might miss the peace and quiet found on 400 acres. “I did this for my children,” he said.

Calaveras Enterprise story by Mike Taylor. For more Calaveras news, click: calaverasenterprise.com

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