Habitat receives land

By David Snow (Contact) | Demopolis Times

Published Tuesday, August 19, 2008

DEMOPOLIS — The Demopolis Area Habitat for Humanity received a tract of land donated by Alex Roberson to build a house for the homeless. The property is located on Fulton Street in northern Demopolis.

That is the first large step in preparing a home. The land must also be surveyed and prepared for building.

“People can give to Habitat for Humanity in many different ways,” said board member Aliquippa Allen. “One thing we’re finding is that people can donate services. Barry Brackin of United Country Realty did the appraisal of the land for us. Tom Boggs did the deed preparation. Now, we are hoping that someone can do the surveying for us. We have had people donate pesticide service, insurance policies and other services for us. People can contribute in many, many ways.

“People can donate land that they bought during a tax sale. A lot of times, people go down and buy land that they’re not going to do anything with, but they have it. Our objective is to get people thinking, ‘How can I do this? How could it actually happen for me? What can I donate?’ I had a guy buy a piece of property for $100 — $48 for the land, and the rest was the incidental costs — and he sold it for $5,000.”

“People have vacant lots that they have to maintain and keep clean,” Roberson said, “and they may never use it. These people can put that land to good use and donate it for the homeless.”

Roberson said one of his lifelong goals is to help eliminate homelessness.

“I’ve supported this organization,” Roberson said. “I’ve just got a big heart for the people who need it. I believe that when I help someone who needs it, I’m not just helping them; I’m helping myself, also. It’s a great way of life; it’s a great feeling. When I help someone who needs it, I don’t worry about if I’m going to get that back. Throughout my life, whatever I do always comes back to me.”

“We had addressed getting this property earlier,” said Freddie Charleston, president of the Demopolis Area Habitat for Humanity. “We came back and tried it again, and with the redesign of the different houses that we can build now, that made this property just right. With Mr. Roberson being my neighbor, we’ve been involved in a lot of things, and he knew I was a part of Habitat. It’s like he said: When someone is in need, he feels like giving.

“The next thing for us to do is survey the land and see where the property lines are. Once we get it surveyed and cleaned up, we’ve got a selection committee that will start an application drive and set a date. We will take the application on-site so everybody has the correct information, then we will screen the applications and select a family. Then, we’ll start with a construction committee and get everything else in progress.”

Demopolis Area Habitat for Humanity plans to have a fund-raiser later in the school year that will not only benefit its cause, but will also be a fun event for the community.

All of this shows that when people give of their time and talents — like Barry Brackin, Tom Boggs and Habitat for Humanity — come together with people who have something to give — like Alex Roberson — they can create a means to change lives by giving people homes that they didn’t have before for themselves and their families.

For the people who help Habitat for Humanity, these homes are where their heart is.