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If you go:

What: Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking ceremony

When: 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: 425 13th St. N.W.

Why: To kick off construction of the Brattmiller-Pommer home, one of two houses to be built by Webster/Humboldt County Habitat for Humanity in 2009.

How to volunteer: Contact Michelle McKenna at 890-1915

Two area families will see new accommodations this fall.

Volunteers with Webster/Humboldt County Habitat for Humanity will spend the summer building houses in Fort Dodge and Humboldt.

In October, Stephanie Brattmiller and Cody Palmer of Moorland will move into a four-bedroom house at 425 13th St. N.W. with their four children.

A groundbreaking ceremony for that house is slated for Sunday at 2 p.m.

Jerry and Leslie Axtell and their three sons will see completion of their new home, located on South Taft Street in Humboldt, in September.

More than 20 families applied to become partner families with Habitat for Humanity, said Habitat board member Michelle McKenna.

The applications are then reviewed by Habitat's family selection committee and presented to the board.

Families that are selected meet several specific criteria, including income guidelines and a demonstrated housing need.

Rather than just receiving a free house, partner families purchase their Habitat home through a no-interest 20- to 25-year mortgage, with payments going toward future house construction.

Recipients of the houses must also build 400 hours of "sweat equity," helping in the construction of the house or other Habitat projects.

Brattmiller said that it's Scott who has the construction experience - but both of them will be pitching in.

"This is the first time I've ever worked with (Habitat)," said Brattmiller, who works at Friendship Haven in Fort Dodge. Scott works at Was Broken Pallet Company in Moorland.

Leslie Axtell said she first heard about Habitat through Faith United Methodist Church.

Axtell said she and her family are currently living in a mobile home. Their new house will have three bedrooms.

"We're hoping to add on to it later," she said.

Axtell said her husband, a trailer mechanic with Decker Truck Line in Fort Dodge, is helping with construction.

"It's been a learning experience," said Axtell, who works at Fareway in Humboldt.

Volunteers are still being sought to help with building, said McKenna.

People interested in donating time can contact McKenna at 890-1915.

Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net