Altrusa teams up with Habitat for Humanity

Saturday was National Make a Difference Day. The Portales chapter of Altrusa International, some service members from Cannon Air Force Base, and the community came out to make a difference at a home being built with Habitat for Humanity.

Altrusa members were working on landscaping for the front yard Saturday morning. Supplies for the landscaping were contributed by Garden Source as well as other donors. True Value loaned a front-end loader to get the job done.

Altusa had 14 volunteers at the home. “We wanted to make a difference, help a family, community and a neighborhood,” said Altrusa member Beverly Bennett. “The neighbors are now out cleaning their yard. We want a snowball effect.”

“I just wanted to help the community,” said Senior Airman Bryce Perdomo of Cannon Air Force Base. “They do so much for the military and so I just wanted to give back to the community.”

The home is being built for Paulette Aguilar of Portales. “I was at the fair and saw the booth so I filled out the application and now I am receiving a home,” she said.

Habitat homes are not given away. The recipient buys the home interest free and must work 500 hours on it.

To be considered, a person must first volunteer on another home and devote 50 hours to help build it. The person also must have a long work history, and somewhat good credit and not be behind on bills, Aguilar explained.

“This is exciting,” the new homeowner said. “I never dreamed of owning a home. I could not do it without Habitat,” she added.

This is the fourth house Habitat for Humanity has built in the area. The next one will be constructed in Clovis on donated land.

“These homes are built by volunteers, and we are eager to get churches and community involved,” said Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Joyce Davis .

The home will be dedicated at 2 p.m. Nov. 11.