Habitat dedicates seventh home in Marshall

Isaias and Olivia Ruiz light a candle during the dedication ceremony for the seventh house built in Marshall by Habitat for Humanity of Saline County. Like other recipients of Habitat houses, the Ruiz family put in more than 300 hours of "sweat equity" helping with construction of the house and related Habitat activities. The home is located in the 400 block of South Brunswick Avenue. [Click to enlarge]

While dedicating its seventh house and the first for a Latino family Sunday, members of Habitat for Humanity of Saline County said the Ruiz family is hard-working.

Chuck Hird, president of the local chapter, said Isaias, Olivia, Xochite, Selene, Janette and Karinna Ruiz put in their 300 hours of sweat equity -- the number of hours each family must dedicate to finishing Habitat homes -- before construction on their own home began.

"Now Isaias has been asking me when we are going to start the ninth house because he wants to help on it," Hird said. "This is what Habitat is striving for."

Kathy Borgman, a board member of the local Habitat chapter, said the Ruizes probably tripled the amount of hours they were required to work.

"They were so deserving," said Cathy Tolias, who baked cookies for the Habitat volunteers. She said even the Ruiz children helped build their home and Habitat homes for other families.

Construction on the four-bedroom house at 458 S. Brunswick Ave. started in December 2003 and the Ruizes moved in last Friday.

Through a translator, Isaias said he thanks God for the people he has met and Olivia thanked everyone for helping to build her home.

"It's cool," said Janette Ruiz after the ceremony. The Ruizes moved to Marshall about five years ago from California so Isaias could work at Excel. They had been living in an apartment where the four girls shared two rooms. Now the two older girls have their own rooms.

The dedication ceremony by the faith-based organization included several Bible passages, which were read first in English by several board members. The entire ceremony was translated into Spanish by Daniel Hernandez, a pastor at Mission Bautista Calvario in Marshall.

"The home was the first institution God established," Hird said. "It is God's gift to the family and to society. It is the privilege and duty of every family to dedicate their home to God, their creator, redeemer and sustainer."

The Ruiz family was presented with house keys and a Bible, and lit a candle to symbolize love, life, hope, faith, knowledge and cheer.

"May the sweat, the laughter and the labor of all who helped create this house strengthen and support it as well as all who dwell here," said Herb Scherer, who heads construction for the local chapter along with Lehman Jennings.

After the ceremony, friends, family and Habitat volunteers ate a Mexican meal prepared by Olivia and her family.

Contact Jenny Bryers at

marshallag@socket.net