The Home Builder Blitz was an amazing event with hundreds of professionals from the home building industry pitching in donating time and materials to build two Habitat homes in the Davis Farm community.  Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut cannot express how deeply humbled we are by the tremendous effort all the volunteers and staff put into making the blitz a reality, and the two new homeowners could not be happier!

If you missed the excitement of the week, please click on the link below to enjoy a beautiful slide show created by Marsal Studios, who graciously donated their time and talent to help capture some of the amazing effort and accomplishment!

   http://www.marsalstudios.com/marsal_studios_mar22_2007_010.htm

Thank you to Norton Wheeler and the entire staff of Mystic River Building Company and Bob Fusari, Sr and Bob Fusari, Jr of Real Estate Service of Connecticut for your extraordinary contribution to decent shelter.  In addition to the two builder team leaders, Habitat wishes to thank all the professionals and volunteers who made the dream of homeownership for two families a reality. 

Local home builders join Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut in nationwide housing blitz build.

New London, CT.--- Local professional home builders are joining Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut to build two homes in New London, CT as part of Habitat for Humanity International's Home Builder Blitz 2008.  During the week of May 31 to June 7, 262 Habitat homes will be built by the professional home building industry in partnership with 109 Habitat affliates in 33 states.  The New London location is the only site for the blitz build in Connecticut.

The Home Builders Blitz 2008 is the largest Habitat project of its kind and gives many low-income families the  opportunity to own their own home in communities across the nation. All homes will be completed from start to finish in one week.

"Partnering with professional home builders allows Habitat affiliates to increase the number of homes they build, while builders can help their community by doing what they do best," said Kevin Campbell, director of the national Home Builders Blitz program for Habitat for Humanity.

Locally, Norton C. Wheeler III, of Mystic River Building Company, LLC and Robert Fusari, Sr and Robert Fusari, Jr. of Real Estate Services of Connecticut are the builders leading the home builder blitz effort.

"We're a developer out of Middletown," said Bob Fusari, Jr. of Real Estate Services of Connecticut. "My father [Bob Fusari, Sr.] lives in Old Saybrook, and I live in Old Lyme, so this was one of the ways we thought we could give back to the community."

"I believe we all have an obligation to give something back, and as a builder, the Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz is the best way I know to do that. We are really excited about this and I can't wait to see the tears of joy on June 7." Norton C. Wheeler, III of Mystic River Building Company.

"The builders are great, they are participating in frequent planning sessions and teasing each other about which team will complete their house first. The builders felt strongly about wanting to build two homes, for the challenge, the friendly competition and to provide two families with an opportunity for homeownership" explained Terri O'Rourke, executive director of the local Habitat affiliate.

The Bondy and Bryan families, who are the future homeowners, are pinching themselves to be sure this is really happening. For each, a chance to own simple decent affordable housing means safety and stability. For one family moving when the landlords decide to sell their buildings caused 4 moves in 9 years. "I want to once again feel my house is a home, not just a roof and walls that we are borrowing from someone else." For the other family, a Habitat home represents a safe yard in which their daughter can play. "Hard work alone does not always provide what is best for your family. Habitat recognizes this and has given our family the opportunity to earn a better way of life."

The two homes to be blitz built will be the 4th and 5th homes started in the 6 home Davis Farm development, located next to Bates Woods Park in New London. The new neighborhood is Habitat's largest initiative to date. In December, the organization celebrated the completion of a public road [Davis Farm Way] and the first 2 Davis Farm homes.

Habitat invites the community to support the builders and their partners with donations of materials and funds to purchase supplies. Sponsors committed to date include Liberty Bank, the Liberty Bank Foundation, and HFHI Softwood Lumber. Anyone wishing to learn more about materials still needed or event sponsorship is asked to call the Habitat office.

As part of the weeklong effort, Habitat will be providing the builders with breakfast, lunch and dinner, donations of meals are welcomed.

Habitat invites the public to attend the following events to help cheer on the builders and their partners, as well as all the sponsors, donors and event participants: A groundbreaking event will be on April 13th at 2:00 p.m.
The Blitz kickoff event will be May 31 at 10:00 a.m., and The Dedication of the two homes will be June 7 at 2:00 p.m.


For more information on the Home Builders Blitz, visit http:// www.habitat.org/content/view/71/1/ or contact Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut at 860-442-7890.

About Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut
Incorporated in 1987, HFHSECT has completed 36 homes, housing more than 125 individuals; invested an estimated 2.5 million in the local economy and produced long term solutions to the areas affordable housing
challenges. The affiliate serves New London County where it works to eliminate substandard housing while raising awareness of the need for simple decent shelter for all.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since it's founding in Americus, GA. in 1976, Habitat has built more than 225,000 houses in nearly 100 countries, providing simple decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information visit www.habitat.org.

About Mystic River Building Company
Located in Mystic, CT, Mystic River Building Company is led by a build team with more than 60 years of experience and is a builder of custom homes and remodeling projects. The company is very active in the home builders association and in the community, supporting area non profits like the Waterford Country School, Toys for Tots, the women's center to name a few.

About Real Estate Services of Connecticut
Located in Middletown, CT, Real Estate Services of Connecticut was founded in 1978 and today is recognized by owners and community officials in central Connecticut and the southeastern shore as a standard in new home construction. The company is very active in the home builders association and is actively supporting affordable housing development in the community.