WHAT: The University of Rhode Island chapter of Habitat for Humanity, South County Habitat for Humanity, students, faculty, volunteers, and local community members to welcome the Jason and Cora Stone family to the first home completed in the North Road project. The home was built through funds raised by students, staff, faculty, and alumni of the University of Rhode Island. Students spent months building the home in partnership with Habitat volunteers and the Stone Family. Tours of the building will be provided, and the home will be dedicated to the Stone family. The family has two children. Habitat homeowners buy their homes with a 25-year, 0 percent interest mortgage and contribute 450 hours of sweat equity. This partnership with the homeowner is part of Habitat’s philosophy of a hand-up not a hand-out.



WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, 11 a.m.

WHERE: 130 Old North Road, Kingston.

BACKGROUND: When completed, this project will consist of four affordable family homes. The fundraising and construction for the Old North Village project began last October, but the planning process has been going on for the last two years. The total amount raised by the University of Rhode Island community, including collected funds and pledges is $84,000. That total provides funding for the house on Old North Road and $6,160 for houses in Haiti and Chile. The three-bedroom home has a bright yellow exterior and a welcoming front porch. For further information, go to www.southcountyhabitat.org.

TO MAKE COVERAGE ARRANGEMENTS: Call Dave Lavallee, URI Communications and Marketing, 401-874-5862.