Chipola Area Habitat Joins National “Rural Rally”

By: Shelia Mader

Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity will take part in Habitat for Humanity International’s first-ever Rural Rally, a nationwide effort spotlighting the need for affordable housing in rural America. The initiative is part of the 39th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, Habitat’s flagship annual build honoring the Carters’ decades of service and leadership.

While the main Carter Work Project will gather thousands of volunteers in Austin, Texas, to build 25 homes during the last week of October, the Rural Rally will extend that impact to more than 60 rural communities across at least 20 states. Each participating affiliate, including Chipola Area Habitat, will complete a local project during the same period.

In Marianna, Chipola Area Habitat will complete construction on a home in the Gillis Ridge subdivision, a seven-home neighborhood that began earlier this year. The home was initially framed during the organization’s Women Build event in May, and volunteers will return in late October to help finish the project.

“Our way of participating in the Carter Work Project is through the Rural Rally,” said Kevin Yoder, Executive Director of Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity. “We’re engaging local businesses to help us finish our second house in the Gillis Ridge subdivision. They’ll be helping with things like exterior siding, cabinets, and interior painting.”

The weeklong effort kicks off Friday, October 24, when the Chipola Area Habitat Board of Directors will volunteer together. Throughout the following week, teams from local businesses will each take part in half-day shifts to help complete the home. Participating sponsors include Florida Public Utilities, Woodall’s Heating & Air Conditioning, First Federal Bank, Chipola Realty, and Donofro Architects.

“We’re really grateful to have these companies step up,” Yoder said. “It’s great to see local businesses working side-by-side to support a family in our community.”

Chipola Area Habitat has already identified the partner family for the new home, a single mother with two children, and plans to have them moved in by the holidays.

“Our goal is to finish this house by the first week of November,” Yoder said. “We want to make sure this family has a place to call home in time for the holidays.”

While housing shortages often make headlines in urban areas, rural communities face their own critical challenges. In Florida, one out of every six rural households spend more than 50% of their monthly income on housing. Through the Rural Rally and ongoing local initiatives, Chipola Area Habitat aims to raise awareness of these needs and continue providing opportunities for stability and self-reliance through homeownership.

Since 1988, Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity has worked to help families build strength, stability, and independence through affordable housing. The organization partners with volunteers, businesses, and local leaders to create lasting change in the communities it serves.

To learn more about Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity or how to get involved, visit www.chipolahabitat.org  or stop by the office and ReStore in Marianna.