Laura Crawford is looking forward to putting up a big Christmas tree in the front window of her new house – if it’s finished in time.

Thursday, August 23, 2001

Laura Crawford is looking forward to putting up a big Christmas tree in the front window of her new house – if it’s finished in time.

&uot;We can’t wait,&uot; Crawford said Wednesday, standing with her three children, Jeff, Bryan and Robin, at the site of her unfinished house on Plainview Lane. &uot;It’ll be our best Christmas, I think.&uot;

Crawford is a single mom who needs a house big enough for her family. Right now, they’re living with her sister’s family until her new house is finished.

&uot;We really appreciate what my sister is putting up with right now. It’s crowded,&uot; she said. &uot;It’s not easy for any of us, especially my sister’s family.&uot;

Crawford saw an advertisement on television about Habitat for Humanity last winter and decided to call the informational number. After filling out the application and meeting the local selection committee, she was chosen to be the recipient of the 15th house built by the Freeborn-Mower chapter of the organization.

But Crawford is not getting a free ride on the house. Not only will she make a mortgage payment, but she’s also putting several hours each day into the construction. Her kids are helping, too.

Seven-year-old Robin used a hammer for the first time when she nailed plywood decking to the subfloor last week.

&uot;I hammered 500 nails,&uot; she said proudly. &uot;I think it was 500 – maybe it was 600 nails.&uot;

Jeff, 14, climbed down off the roof after wrestling several panels into place. He planned to spend the afternoon helping spread rolls of tar paper across the roof. The rest of the week, shingling would be the priority.

&uot;I’m learning a lot about building. I hope I still get to help after school starts,&uot; he said.

Site manager and veteran Habitat volunteer Wayne Hanson said &uot;sweat equity&uot; is a requirement of the Habitat house-building process.

&uot;The Habitat for Humanity program makes sure the family that’s buying the house participates in the construction. It’s part of the investment they make,&uot; Hanson said.

Crawford said she will appreciate her new home much more because she helped build it.

&uot;When I put up a picture or something, I’ll know what’s behind the wall. I’ll know I helped put that wall up,&uot; she said.

Bryan, who’s going into fourth grade at Sibley Elementary, plans to keep his room clean.

&uot;I picked it out already,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s the nicest room so I’ll take care of it.&uot;

Local companies like Kelley Plumbing, Heating and Cooling and United Building Center have donated skilled labor and supplies, Hanson said the project’s completion will depend on the number of volunteers who show up at the site. They don’t need a particular skill or wealth of construction experience. All volunteers need is a willingness to learn.

&uot;We build on faith. We just have to believe we’ll get enough bodies out here to get this done in time for the holidays,&uot; he said.

Hanson sold insurance for 35 years. Though he’s retired, he now spends several hours per week on house building. He enjoys giving back to the community that supported his family and business for so many years.

&uot;I get a lot of satisfaction from doing this. The families I’ve become friends with really stay with me,&uot; he said.

To volunteer on the Habitat for Humanity site in Albert Lea, call 1-800-300-1349.