It's always exciting when Habitat For Humanity Northumberland holds a handing-over-the-keys ceremony to put another family in an affordable home.
A ceremony earlier this month at 404 Alexandria Dr. was something special -- the first such ceremony for new executive director Kim Lauder.
And while each family moving into a Habitat home has its own story to tell, the Connors family tale is seven years long.
First approved for a Habitat home in 2002, they were delayed by family difficulties that included a move to Alberta and back.
Cathy Lyons, who was executive director until she recently left for a position with Habitat's national office, attended the event to offer her own congratulations.
"Your first house is never easy. I think a lot of people have the misconception that it's a free home. Our families work hard," she said.
"This family has worked very hard and have been through a fair bit. You and your boys are to be congratulated, and all of your extended family."
Last seen that very morning covered in paint as she worked the last of her required 500 sweat-equity hours, Valerie Connors was dressed up for the occasion.
She recalled (sometimes tearfully) telling her three boys they were moving in, then telling them they were not moving in.
To get the keys at last was so exciting, she said.
"I want to thank Cathy and Meaghan (program manager Meaghan Macdonald) for putting up with me for so many years -- thank you for everything," she added.
"Thank you," her sons chorused in not-quite-perfect unison.
With a sense of accomplishment, Connors unlocked the door and watched sons Harley, 11, Kethan, 9, and Vaughn, 8, scatter to explore their new rooms. Vaughn hid in his closet, while his brothers discussed what furniture should go where.
Connors showed friends and family members around the house whose renovation was begun almost one year to the day earlier as a Y Build project, with student volunteers grabbing their hammers and going to work on it.
Another contribution yet to come is from Northumberland Movers. As they do with so many Habitat families, the company is donating its services for the Connor family move.
This is the 23rd home built and occupied by local Habitat families, Lauder said. Also on Alexandria Drive are two other homes very near completion, with occupation scheduled for June.
Habitat homes have also been built in Port Hope, Warkworth and Brighton, one in each community, bringing the total to 26 completed homes and two shortly to come.
The plan is to build another four homes this year in Brighton, Alderville and Port Hope, Lauder added.
"Two things amazed me when I started in this position," Lauder said at the ceremony.
"One was the contribution and support Habitat gets from the business community within Northumberland. This house was sponsored by Cameco and RBC. Without this type of support, we wouldn't be able to do this type of work and have as many houses built.
"Second was the number of people that go into making these things happen. Mohammed said, 'A person's true wealth is the good he or she does in the world.' Well, some of the wealthiest people I know are these volunteers."
