For the first time ever, Chattanooga firefighters will be putting their talents to work — on their own time — to build a house for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. The firefighters are partially funding the project themselves, but they will also be seeking donations from area residents and businesses to help purchase the materials needed to build the house. The first day of construction is set for August 16, 2006.

A news conference to kick off the project is set for August 16, at 10:00 a.m. at the contruction site, located on Barnes Court, off Shepherd Road. Mayor Ron Littlefield and Jan Varnell, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, will be on hand to offer their comments and support. Habitat uses volunteer labor, contributions and donated materials to build simple, decent homes. In this case, the firefighters are volunteering their time off-duty to construct the house. They plan to make this a "blitz build," meaning the house will be built from the foundation up in approximately two weeks, weather permitting. Each home is occupied by a carefully selected family who buys the house through a no-interest loan. Habitat for Humanity makes no profit on the homes. After being selected as a Habitat family partner, the family contributes 300 hours of "sweat equity," first on other families' homes and then on their own. They must also save up $1,800 to pay the closing costs.

If you would like to help the firefighters with this noble project, please send your donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, 1201 East Main Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408. Please be sure to mark it "Firefighter House." You can also make a donation online at: www.habichatt.org.

Chattanooga firefighters recently got acquainted with the Habitat family, including Kelley Brooks (center), who is holding her daughter, Rokasia. Standing next to Ms. Brooks on the left is Jan Varnell, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.