Danville Regional Employees Will Build House.
DANVILLE, VA - (April 21, 2007) - Employees of Danville Regional Medical Center today began construction of the first Habitat for Humanity home in the Lee Street neighborhood of Danville.
The residence will become the home of the Clifton and Sherrine Johns family, which includes four children ranging from 5 to 9 years of age. The home, located at 919 Riverview Street, will be built of vinyl siding with aluminum trim. It will be 1,200 square feet.
Danville Regional has contributed $30,000 toward the cost of building materials and subcontractors for the house. Employees of the Medical Center are raising an additional $30,000. They and their family members will be volunteering as construction workers.
"The idea for building the home is for the Medical Center and its employees to work together to help a family in need and to demonstrate how we can give back to the community," said Art Doloresco, Chief Executive Officer.
"Our employees want to be involved in improving the quality of life of the community," said Leslie Smith, who is coordinating the project for the Medical Center. "We want to help those who need a helping hand."
The foundation for the house has been completed, using funds from the Medical Center. Marlin Yoder, Executive Director of Habitat, will coordinate construction working on site six days a week. A team of Habitat volunteers will also be building the house. "We hope this house will be the first step in revitalizing the East Lee Street section of the neighborhood."
Clifton Johns, Ben Prescott, President of Danville-Pittsylvania County Habitat for Humanity, and Mayor Wayne Williams spoke at a "groundbreaking" ceremony today, attended by Medical Center employees and community leaders.
"This is truly a partnership," said Yoder. He said the City of Danville is waiving its normal inspection and building permit fees since the house is in the Enterprise Zone.
The lot was part of a parcel donated to Habitat by Alliance One, formerly Dimon.
The house will be the first Energy Star home in Danville-Pittsylvania County. Energy Star homes use as much as 30 percent less energy than traditionally constructed homes.
