Habitat for Humanity, a United Way agency, is proud to announce the selection of the newest homeowner, Ms. Ericka Johnson; she and her two children, ages 16 and 10, were recently selected for house No. 16 at 1119 Martin Luther King Drive.

Her family is donating a section of land at that address and Habitat will build a three-bedroom home. Actual construction should start in late October.

Habitat homes are built with volunteer labor, and we already have several groups anxious to come and help.

Two student groups from Alcorn are just waiting on an approved date to assist in building the house. Trinity Episcopal Church volunteers are coming in early November.

As many of you know, Habitat for Humanity is a Christian ministry engaged in the construction of decent, affordable housing for lower income families.

This year, Habitat International will build its 500,000th home.

It took Habitat 24 years to build the first 100,000 homes, and just 11 more years to complete the next 400,000 homes.

Here in Natchez, this is the 16th home built by Habitat since 1991.

You can make a financial donation through United Way by designating Habitat on your pledge card, or you may send it directly to Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 100, Natchez, MS. 39121.

You may contact Duncan McFarlane at 601-807-4956 if you wish to volunteer.

We are often short of volunteers and would be grateful for any help we can get.

Your help is a blessing to us and to the community.

Duncan McFarlane is the secretary/treasurer of Habitat for Humanity.