Sunday was a bittersweet day for many in Surry County.

Three families received their brand new homes courtesy of Habitat for Humanity, and their joy was evident.

“It’s going to be affordable — and mine,” said Mary Talbert, who has two children and two foster children, as she spoke of the home she received. Her words echoed those of Emilee Lee, a single mom of two who also received a home Sunday. “It’s a blessing — it’s awesome,” she said.

“Thanks to Habitat, I’ve got a home,” said George Rivera, the recipient of the third home. “Everybody, welcome to my house!”

For these three and their families Sunday was a day of dreams coming true because of Habitat’s commitment to providing affordable, quality housing to folks who can’t quite make the transition from renting to home ownership.

It was also a day of sadness, because these were the first Habitat homes presented to new owners since the July 31 death of long-time Habitat executive director Tim VanHoy.

For him, as those who spoke at Sunday’s house presentations recalled, Habitat was not a job, it was a calling. He oversee an aggressive habitat program that has seen more homes built at a faster clip than many Habitat programs of equal size generally accomplish.

For VanHoy it was simple. People deserve a chance at home ownership, and there’s no reason to wait if donations, volunteers, and materials can be found. His dream of quickly building more and more homes has a twofold result. First, more people get into these homes that are built. Second, as the owners make their monthly mortgage payments, even more money becomes available for additional homes.

With the momentum created by VanHoy, the local Habitat plans to build and transfer ownership of five new homes over the next year, and another five after that. Over the next two years ten more families will achieve their dream of home ownership.

Few people have touched as many lives in so tangible a way as VanHoy, and it is fitting that one of the homes dedicated Sunday includes a small flower garden that was planted in memory of VanHoy.

Then again, nearly every Habitat home built in Surry County in recent years stands as a tribute to VanHoy, memorials that will benefit families for generations to come.