Local Family to Receive New Habitat Home Keys Saturday

On Saturday, April 8, Fauquier Habitat for Humanity will celebrate with the Navarrete family, Warrenton’s newest Habitat homeowners, at a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Supporters, volunteers and neighbors will gather to welcome the Navarettes to the community from 10 a.m. to noon at 110 Haiti St.

To realize their dream of home ownership, Ramon and Carolina Navarrete worked more than 600 hours — far exceeding required 400, “sweat equity” hours — building their home, taking homeownership education classes and, along the way, winning the hearts of everyone with their unfailing warmth, generosity and dedication. The couple will share the home with their children Marco, Wendy, Guadalupe and Raymond, as they now work to pay back the zero-equivalent mortgage.

The Volkswagen Group of America committed $60,000 to help build the home. In addition, Fauquier Habitat will recognize the contributions of several local businesses, churches and organizations that supported the project. The efforts of more than 200 building volunteers who gave a “hand-up” during construction will also be applauded.

“We are looking forward to dedicating the home to this wonderful family. It is going to be a beautiful and emotional moment,” said Kim Forsten, president of the Fauquier Habitat Board of Directors. “I am so happy for them, their effort and hard work. There’s lots to be thankful for, for everyone.”

Town Manager Brannon Godfrey will give opening remarks at the ceremony that will include a “pounding,” a tradition in which friends and neighbors give a pound of flour and other foods to stock the family’s new pantry, music and the handing over of keys. A tour of the home and light refreshments will be offered after the ceremony.