The home that was once a dream for Jennifer Dorriety and her daughter, Kaylee, is closer to reality with the build currently underway by volunteers with Escambia County Habitat for Humanity.

Alecia Glaize, director of the Habitat organization, said the project is on schedule and is nearing completion.

“Progress is going well, it’s been slow, but steady,” Glaize said. “This house is off the ground and it’s been a little slower. It just takes more time to do exterior work because of heights. But despite the awful heat we’ve had good volunteer turnout.”

On June 12, Glaize said several members of the design team for the house made the trek to Perdido to help with the project.

“We had several students from Auburn University who helped design the house come down to work on the house with us,” Glaize said. “The group of designers are students at Auburn in the architecture classes there. Part of their assignments for the class included a ‘Design Habitat’ project. This house is the result of their work.”

Glaize said the scheduled completion date and dedication ceremonies have been pushed back since the house is not complete.

“We were hoping to have the house finished by June 30 for dedication,” Glaize said. “That is not possible at this point. So, right now we are shooting for July 11 for a dedication.”

Work will continue on the building project this weekend with a work session planned from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Glaize said.

“We may schedule some evening work sessions inside over the next couple of weeks,” Glaize said. “We are hoping that lights and air conditioning will be in place soon.”

The build began last month and marked the first build in the Atmore area by the organization since expanding county wide. Glaize said she is encouraged from the response.

“We’ve had good support from Atmore as far as volunteers, businesses and individuals donating money,” Glaize said. “We’ve had several businesses providing meals and services throughout the build.”

Glaize said professional workers have stepped up and made a difference in the project.

“Martin Construction has sent some of their professionals to do some of the work with us,” Glaize said. “They sent professional painters to do all of the inside painting. Tri-County Electric has done all the electrical work for us. Pintoli’s has served lunches for our volunteers a couple of times. Atmore community Hospital has also sent several volunteers to work. I’m very pleased and encouraged by the show of support from Atmore and the surrounding communities on this first build in the area.”

For those interested in volunteering at the Dorriety home or who are interested in learning more about the organization, contact the Brewton office of Escambia Habitat for Humanity at 867-0095 or by visit the organization’s Web site at www.escambiahfh.org