Sep 6, 2013

Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley hopes to move into a larger, consolidated operations center in Roanoke Rapids by the end of October.

Officials announced Thursday they closed sale on the old Farm-City Tractor building, 1152 Highway 48, which will soon hold the ReStore, executive director’s office, board meeting place, shipping area and storage room.

Habitat for Humanity partners with qualified individuals or families to place them in new or renovated homes with affordable payment plans.

Currently, Habitat for Humanity is operating out of two locations near the intersection of 2nd Street and Roanoke Avenue. It has been known for quite some time both buildings are overflowing with donations with little room to operate.

“We hope to have everything moved and settled, and the ReStore up and running by late October,” Habitat board member Rachel Lander said.

The organization builds homes for those in need, but also sells donated home improvement items at their ReStore to raise money.

For the October move to happen, Fran Werts, Habitat volunteer and move coordinator, said painting, shelving, flooring, lighting and inner construction has to be completed. Organizers are also in the process of replacing the location’s air conditioning system.

“We try not to spend donation money if we don’t have to (on the renovations),” said Werts, adding the group likes to keep the funds raised to use for the houses it builds.

She said numerous local businesses have given supplies or provided extremely discounted prices. Also, volunteers have done nearly all the work.

“We will need to put a really big shout out to our volunteers for the big move,” Lander said.

For more information on volunteering, call 252-676-1031.

When Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley moves into its new location, it will do so under the guidance of its first paid employee, Executive Director Rochelle King, of Henrico, who began Aug. 1.

“I was a volunteer before I started my job,” King said. “Working here ... it was an answer to a prayer.”

Lander said Habitat really needed someone in the office to be a go-to person.

“Rochelle (King) will keep us moving in a forward direction in various ways — helping with everything from donations to speaking engagements,” Lander said.

Until the move becomes official, the hours at the current ReStore, 14 E. 2nd St., are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of the month.