Former North Pole Mayor Jeff Jacobson takes part in the groundbreaking ceremony at the lot on Tanana Drive donated by the City of North Pole to Habitat for Humanity.  Also pictured (from left) are the Habitat Partner Family Jami and Dawn Franklin and their six children, Rachel (held by Dawn), Azariah, Gabriel, Skyler, Kia and Tristan.  Next to Dawn is Wally Smith, President of the Interior Alaska Builders Association, Sara Himebaugh, Steve Hedgecoke of Pleasant Valley Woodcraft, Dave Dillard, President of 3-2-1 Construction and Judy Dellinger, Executive Director of the Greater Fairbanks Area Habitat for Humanity.  The home is sponsored by the Interior Alaska Builders Association (IABA).  Dan & Sara Himebaugh and Dave Dillard are the project leaders.

The new North Pole Habitat for Humanity house is located on Tanana Drive off of the Old Richardson Highway, near the intersection of Tanana and Kenai Way.  This is a 4 bedroom, 2 bath, house for a wonderful family with 6 children.  Habitat for Humanity chose the Franklin Family for this home.

Jami Franklin is a mechanic and is in a course to become a diesel mechanic.  Dawn Franklin is a homemaker and home schools the couples children.  They are anxious to move to their North Pole home from Fairbanks as they are currently living in a tiny cabin (325 sq. ft)and attend the North Pole Missionary Church.  So while a Habitat house is small by most standards, to them it will seem like a mansion.

The family was chosen by the board on May 12th but they weren't notified that they had been selected until May 30th.  They are now hustling to get their required 500 hours of sweat equity done as fast as possible.  They know that IABA (Interior Alaska Builders Association) won't take long to get their house done and they can't move in until they finish their hours. 

Habitat for Humanity will sell the Franklins the house at cost without interest in keeping with the biblical mandate to not charge the poor interest.  Habitat is building 3 houses this year, two in Fairbanks and one in North Pole.  Habitat for Humanity does not normally build garages with the Habitat homes but the Interior Alaska Builders Association wanted to sponsor a home only on the condition that it could include a small garage to house the boiler and hot water heater.  The Board thought it over and decided that it was better to be able to bless another family this year rather than be a stickler for rules. 

Habitat for Humanity had planned to build only 2 homes in Fairbanks this year.  However, between the City of North Pole donating two lots off of Tanana and IABA wanting to sponsor a house in North Pole, how could we refuse?  With 45 families applying for a Habitat home this spring, the more homes we can build the better.  Habitat for Humanity chose the Franklins along with 3 other families who are alternates for the 2006 building season (in case a family drops out).  Habitat for Humanity will build 3 homes in 2007 for these families and possibly select a 4th family for 2007 during the next selection process in the fall of 2006.  For more information call Judy Dellinger, Executive Director, Greater Fairbanks Area Habitat for Humanity at 452-1685.

Article submitted by Judy Dellinger, Executive Director
Greater Fairbanks Area Habitat for Humanity