POCAHANTUS, IL (KTVI-FOX2Now.com) -
Thursday was a day that a Pocahontas, Illinois family of nine will never forget. The Haller family- which includes seven children from four to 14- got the keys to their new home from Habitat For Humanity. The brand new house was built at the same location where the family used to live in a much smaller home that was in disrepair.
There were prayers and tears as the new home at 104 Stewart Street in Pocahontas was blessed at a ceremony. The new owners, Hallie and Stephanie Haller, got their key, cut a ribbon and went inside.
"It's a dream come true. It's the best thing that's ever happened to us like God is looking down on us," said Stephanie.
Hallie added, "It's the best thing in my whole life. I got a good job, can support my whole family, and it's all I can say, I love it."
Once inside, the Haller's seven kids got a special surprise- each received a bin full of stuff. Their oldest child, Danielle, showed us her new room with a very unique design of pink paint with black zebra stripes on the wall.
Danielle explained, "Zebra stripes are my favorite patterns and pink and black are my favorite colors so I thought I'd put it on my wall."
The 21 hundred square foot home has five bedrooms and three baths- a huge improvement from the old two bedroom house that the family used to live in. The Hallers applied for help from the Bond County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and were approved. With the help of habitat workers, the Hallers put in 400 hours of sweat equity into the new home.
Habitat officials happy to help families like the Haller's.
"There's a tremendous need not just here in Bond County but everywhere especially with the current economic downturn," said Anita Marcoot with Habitat for Humanity.
The Haller's ready to start a new life in their new home.
"This is where we plan to stay for the rest of our lives. I won't sell ever," said Stephanie. The house is not free for the Hallers. They still have a mortgage but it's interest free. Habitat for Humanity keeping costs down through all kinds of donations.
This is the fifth home that the Bond County Chapter of Habitat For Humanity has built in its seven years of existence.
There were prayers and tears as the new home at 104 Stewart Street in Pocahontas was blessed at a ceremony. The new owners, Hallie and Stephanie Haller, got their key, cut a ribbon and went inside.
"It's a dream come true. It's the best thing that's ever happened to us like God is looking down on us," said Stephanie.
Hallie added, "It's the best thing in my whole life. I got a good job, can support my whole family, and it's all I can say, I love it."
Once inside, the Haller's seven kids got a special surprise- each received a bin full of stuff. Their oldest child, Danielle, showed us her new room with a very unique design of pink paint with black zebra stripes on the wall.
Danielle explained, "Zebra stripes are my favorite patterns and pink and black are my favorite colors so I thought I'd put it on my wall."
The 21 hundred square foot home has five bedrooms and three baths- a huge improvement from the old two bedroom house that the family used to live in. The Hallers applied for help from the Bond County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and were approved. With the help of habitat workers, the Hallers put in 400 hours of sweat equity into the new home.
Habitat officials happy to help families like the Haller's.
"There's a tremendous need not just here in Bond County but everywhere especially with the current economic downturn," said Anita Marcoot with Habitat for Humanity.
The Haller's ready to start a new life in their new home.
"This is where we plan to stay for the rest of our lives. I won't sell ever," said Stephanie. The house is not free for the Hallers. They still have a mortgage but it's interest free. Habitat for Humanity keeping costs down through all kinds of donations.
This is the fifth home that the Bond County Chapter of Habitat For Humanity has built in its seven years of existence.
