DOBSON — A huge crowd gathered Sunday in Dobson for the dedication of three new homes by Habitat for Humanity, but much of the attention was on the person who wasn’t there.

Tim VanHoy, the executive director of the local Habitat for Humanity, had died on July 31 from a massive heart attack at age 42. The dedication Sunday — when three families got the keys to their new houses on Ridge Road — was the first by Habitat since VanHoy’s death.

Yet he was still much in the hearts and minds of those present, many of whom openly lamented the fact that VanHoy couldn’t be around to see the completion of a project that had been launched in June while he was executive director.

The latest three homes to be finished through the program that provides affordable housing to deserving families reflect an ambitious building schedule led by VanHoy in recent years, which to date has resulted in the construction of 25 houses.

“I think there was so much momentum going into this, and it really was from Tim,” said Kelly Giese, the president of the board of directors for the Greater Mount Airy Habitat for Humanity. “For Tim, it wasn’t just about him having a job.”

Giese agreed that along with the bright blue sky gracing Sunday’s dedication, VanHoy seemed to be there in spirit as well.

VanHoy’s wife, Debra, and daughter, Taylor, attended the event, with Giese telling the gathering that VanHoy had helped get the three houses started, “and they are here to see us through.”

Giese added that the organization is managing to move forward and trying to stay on track with its mission to provide decent housing to Surry Countians in need. Habitat for Humanity plans to build five more homes next year and another five after that, she said, “and then who knows?”

“A Blessing”

When house recipients shared their thoughts during Sunday’s program, Emilee Lee, who’ll soon be occupying one of the new homes in Dobson with her two sons, grew emotional while citing the efforts of VanHoy in helping her family realize a dream.

“It’s a blessing — it’s awesome,” Lee said of receiving the Habitat house. Recently divorced, she and her husband had been living in her parents’ home, which Lee said was problematic with the presence of multiple families in one house.

The single mom, an employee of NCFI Polyurethanes in Mount Airy, added that moving into the Habitat house will represent more than just a new start. “This is a BIG new beginning,” she said.

Mary Talbert, who’ll occupy another of the homes just across the street from Lee’s, said she has been paying $700 a month in rent at another location. That has created a strain for the full-time foster care mom who has two kids of her own along with two foster children.

“Now, it’s going to be affordable — and mine,” Talbert said of the new house that contains three bedrooms to aid her foster services, compared to the two-bedroom structures typically build by Habitat.

“And we have a yard to play in!” she said.

One spot on that lawn has special significance, a small flower garden near the house that was planted in memory of Tim VanHoy, and contains a plaque signifying that.

George Rivera, the recipient of the third house where he’ll reside with his wife Maria and their four children, said home ownership has been a goal of his since coming to America from Puerto Rico.

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

Those attending the dedication got the chance to tour each of the Habitat for Humanity homes, which are provided at zero-percent interest to families for a 20-year period. The payments they make go back into the program to construct more houses.

A Community Effort

The organization launched construction on its 26th home Saturday on Apostle Drive in Mount Airy, said Habitat spokesman Sheree Russo.

Work on the three houses dedicated Sunday had begun in June, and reached fruition with the help of about 300 volunteers who handled the actual building as well as behind-the-scenes tasks. The receiving families also put in much hard work on the project, Giese said.

About 180 volunteers came from Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Maryland, through its “Woods Work” committee made up of youths who assist with Habitat projects up and down the East Coast. After selecting the Dobson project as a recipient of its services, Woods Work members spent nine days here.

Ginny Anderson, director of faith and community relations for Habitat for Humanity, pointed out that another 50 volunteers for the job were supplied through youth groups at Dobson First Baptist Church and Antioch Baptist Church. Some 50 to 60 people who helped were just general volunteers from the community, she said.

Also, East Surry High School students built the walls for one of the houses, and Surry Central students provided housing to the visitors from Maryland during their stay here.

But there was much emphasis Sunday afternoon on the spiritual presence that helped make the homes a reality along with the hammers and nails.

Pastor Larry Johnson of Firehouse Ministries, who also spoke during the program, said it was important to dedicate the new Habitat houses to God — just as it was vital to do so with structures mentioned in the Bible, such as Solomon’s Temple.

Johnson added that it’s not enough to just have a roof over one’s head. “It’s what’s in that house that makes it a home,” he said.

After receiving new Bibles along with the keys to their houses, the three families were appreciative Sunday for all the thoughts, prayers and hard work that made the day possible.

“I just want to thank everybody for everything,” Talbert said.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.