HURLOCK — The residents of north Dorchester County are the new beneficiaries of a partnership with Habitat for Humanity Choptank. In a gracious and welcoming “house blessing” on April 30 about 50 people attended an event which offered a peek at the newly completed foundation for the group’s first home in Hurlock. Following a welcome by Habitat Choptank Board President Greg Whitten, Pastor David Kreek, from the 1st United Methodist Church of Secretary, offered the invocation. He asked for a “special blessing for us here in north Dorchester,” and noted the construction was a “new beginning” for the citizens, the area, and for the new homeowner. Hurlock Mayor Joyce Spratt welcomed the group and thanked them “for everything you’ve done to support Habitat to this point. I knew nothing about Habitat for Humanity. I thought it was a free home. It’s not.” She stressed the process involved in obtaining a Habitat built home and added, “I am totally, 100 percent behind these people and so excited.” Habitat Choptank Executive Director Nancy Andrews asked everybody to leave a wish and write a message on a board which will be used in construction of the house. “Leave something personal that’s in the spirit of community,” she said. Ms. Andrews also asked the audience to “Take a moment and think about what you wish for this house, the neighborhood, the community or the Habitat mission in general. And share it out loud. We can all offer up our wishes together while we’re standing here.” People shared such words as: Community love. Peace. New beginnings for community and family. Longevity. Health. Director Andrews said, “As you go about your day, your weekend, the next week, I hope you will think about those wishes.” Program Manager Pat Ingram announced that the board of directors is close to bringing a new homebuyer into the Habitat fold. When told she would qualify for a home, Ms. Ingram says the young woman asked when she could start the hours of “sweat equity” required of every future homeowner. Ms. Ingram said, “I told her about the build on April 30 and said ‘even though you don’t have your contract we would love to have you come.’ The next day she called me back and said ‘would it be ok if I brought another person to work with me that day?’ I said, ‘yes, that would work.’ The next day she called and said ‘could I bring three people!’ “I am very, very excited and very pleased to introduce our newest homeowner to be,” Tynita Fletcher. The young woman said, “I just want to thank God for all he has done and how he has blessed me over the years. I want to thank my family for encouraging me when I thought that I wasn’t going to be able to be a part of Habitat.” She praised her godmother, Rosetta Brown, who she said “has always been supportive throughout everything that’s happened in my life.” When she first hesitated about signing up her godmother told her, “Girl, just fill out the paper!” Ms. Fletcher added, “And thanks to Habitat for selecting me and thinking I was worth it.” Pastor Jeff Phillips of Crossroads Community Church believes, “Action begins with a prayer.” He explained he had worked with Habitat in Caroline County and considers the group part of “God’s movement to eliminate homelessness globally.” Ms. Andrews described how Habitat Choptank’s expansion into North Dorchester “has been years in the making. We have received calls for years from people who wanted to buy homes in north Dorchester and community leadership has been very welcoming. This represents an opportunity to partner with a new community. Once this house is finished we’ll move up the street, around the corner, and start the next house, and then the next house! Habitat Choptank is about a community of people coming together in united action. We don’t just give houses away. This is a hard process that gives so many rewards, not just for the homeowners, but the community as well.” The organization’s motto, “Join Us to Make a Difference,” was evident at a session in the Hurlock town office for prospective volunteers. For information or to volunteer visit the website www.HabitatChoptank.org or e-mail at info@HabitatChoptank.org.