It Takes a Community to Build a Home

The home that started as a wall-raising demonstration at the Fremont Fair last summer came to completion firmly on its foundation on February 9th, with the dedication of Jennifer Chapman’s house at Snoqualmie Ridge.

This house, jointly sponsored by United Way of King County, Solid Ground, and Google represents the community coming together to build a house. Each of these organizations donated time, volunteers, and funds to build this home.

True to their passion for the Seattle Seahawks, die-hard fans, Jennifer Chapman and her two children, Austin and Morgan, chose to make their home dedication ceremony a tail gate party complete with blue and green decorations and a hotdog potluck.

Jennifer was gracious and excited as her Dad and Step-Mom surprised her by coming all the way from Wyoming for the event. Just before the tail gate party started, another unannounced guest arrived to celebrate Jennifer’s new home-- Bobby Engram, Wide Receiver for the Seahawks!

Guests attending the home dedication ceremony got a sense of all the different groups that worked on the house, but most important they got to know Jennifer and her family. When Glenn and Carolyn Hall, Jennifer’s Family Advocates, officially handed the house keys to Jennifer and she pounded in the final nail, we were reminded how hard she has worked over the past year. Thanks to the sponsors and the hard work of the volunteers, construction staff and AmeriCorps members, Jennifer moved into her new home the day after her dedication!