Habitat celebrating 40th home, fundraiser Saturday

Cape Girardeau Area Habitat for Humanity will celebrate the construction of its 40th home from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at 645 Shady Path in Cape Girardeau.

The home, which is at 602 Smith St. in Perryville, Mo., is 15th the organization has begun since Habitat leaders set a goal in 2007 of building 25 homes in a five-year period.

Despite a recession that has seen a downward trend in new home construction Habitat president T. Robin Cole said the economy hasn't affected the organization's efforts, with donations increasing slightly, though Cole said he did not have the exact dollar amount of the increase.

Among the homes in Southeast Missouri that volunteers have completed or broken ground on include houses in Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Sikeston, Advance and Perryville. Plans are also underway to break ground on a home in Marble Hill, Mo., though no official groundbreaking date has been set.

Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 334-9728 or stopping by the organization's office at 117 N. Middle St.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent addresses:

602 Smith St., Perryville, MO

645 Shady Path, Cape Girardeau, MO