DADE CITY —A pending merger between the Central Pasco and East Pasco chapters of Habitat for Humanity means more help for low-income families.
Patty Frank, board member of Habitat for Humanity of Central Pasco, gives Ashlie Neeley a Bible at the dedication of the Neeley home Jan. 16.
“Our organizations’ goals are the same, so why duplicate our efforts when we can work together,” said John Finnerty, president of the East Pasco organization. “By combining our resources we will be able to build more homes.”
In the past 10 years, the all-volunteer Central Pasco Habitat has built four homes compared to 73 completed by East Pasco, which has eight employees and two VISTA volunteers.
To merge, Central Pasco will dissolve its non-profit corporation and the remaining organization will be renamed Habitat for Humanity of East Central Pasco. Three members from the current Central Pasco board —Danny Coleman, Randy Gailit and John Westfall — will be appointed to a combined 22-member board. The merger should be made official in March.
To get a jump on upcoming projects, board members met for a planning meeting Jan. 18 to discuss goals for 2010.
“We have plans to dedicate three more homes in central Pasco in 2010 and we’re hoping to open a retail store for all areas,” Finnerty said. “We’re also working to recruit more volunteers.”
The Central Pasco group dedicated its fourth and last home as an independent non-profit Jan. 16. Volunteers built the home for the Neeley family, Jasson, Ashlie and their three young sons — identical 3-year-old twins Christian and Cayden, and 6-month-old Gabrielle. The 1,400 square foot home in Pasco Lakes Estates has a wide front porch, three bedrooms and a bath. The subdivision is located in north Land O’ Lakes on US 41, about five miles north of SR 52.
“We moved in on Dec. 19, which was Jasson’s birthday and just in time for Christmas,” Ashlie said.
Next door to the Neeley’s, another Habitat home is being built. Central Pasco board member Gary Williams said the selection committee is currently reviewing applications to choose a family. East Pasco has been involved with the process.
“The board is really proud of what we’ve done and the merger steps up and allows us to build more homes,” Williams said.
Following the merge, Habitat might hire more employees to assist with new projects.
“Our staff is spread pretty thin to begin with,” Finnerty said. “We may recruit some part-time employees from the Central area. Its important our employees have an expertise on the area they are working in.”
Finnerty said plans are to hire retail staff, if they are able to open a store. The two groups are currently searching for a location in the Land O’ Lakes area to open a Habitat Restore, where they will accept donations of new appliances and building materials. If donated items are not needed in a local Habitat home, they are sold at Habitat’s Restore at significant discounts to the public.
Volunteers will also be needed to manage donations.
“We’ll always need volunteers,” Finnerty said. “Habitat runs on the heart and soul of volunteers.”
A reception celebrating the merger of East Pasco and Central Pasco Habitats is planned for March.
