With dust particulates flying through the air, volunteers and Alabama Power Co. employees were busy gutting the first house in Atmore to be renovated by Escambia County Habitat for Humanity July 27-28.

The Alabama Power Service Organization is partnering with the ECHFH to help provide the home for a local family. Thomas Lane donated the home, which is located at 507 E. Craig St., to habitat. The home will be going through upgrades and renovations over the next few months.

This renovation is the first in Atmore since 2013.

“We’re so excited at Alabama Power that this is the first one for the Alabama Power Service Organization,” Beth Thomas, Alabama Power external affairs manager said.

Lisa Tindell, executive director for ECHFH, said the organization’s goal and dream is to have the family in the home by Thanksgiving, adding that a family has been chosen.

ECHFH is using a local contractor to renovate the home. The contractor is Ron Sundale, and from when the renovation starts, it’ll take between 30-45 days, Tindell said.

One thing that Tindell wanted to stress to those who might not know, is that ECHFH doesn’t give the home away for free. The chosen family will have to pay a mortgage that’s interest free. Additionally, the family has to put in sweat equity of 400 hours as well. Volunteers are allowed to donate sweat equity hours to the family, she said.

Tindell said the vetting process is quite extensive, and ECHFH does its homework to make sure the family to can pay the cost of the build/renovation back.

That’s important, she said, because the money will go toward the next renovation or build the organization will sponsor.

As the renovation gets going, the contractors will do their work, but those who are interested in volunteering to paint and do other work, can do so, Tindell said.

Escambia County Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization who makes homeownership possible for individuals who qualify for the no-interest mortgage program of the group.

For information concerning up-coming work days or to pre-register for volunteer service, contact the ECHFH office in Brewton at 867-0095.