Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division joined elected officials and business and community leaders on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 to dedicate the 12th home shipyard volunteers have constructed in partnership with Habitat.

Among the well-wishers who welcomed Jeremiah and Crystal Lamberty and their children to their new home were Rep. Bobby Scott; State Sen. John Miller; Cathy McQuade, president-elect, Habitat for Humanity board of directors; Karen Joyner, CEO, Virginia Peninsula Food Bank; and Michael Lee, vice president, United Steelworkers Local 8888.

Carolyn Pittman, Newport News Shipbuilding's vice president and chief financial officer, spoke on behalf of the shipyard. "This is such a rewarding experience because it benefits the community, it benefits a family, and it is really helping to rebuild the community that is so vital to the continuation of our business at Newport News Shipbuilding," she said. "It's a great partnership."

Turning over the keys to the new homeowners is always the highlight of the event, said Brian Stockunas, business manager for submarine fleet support and submarine engineering at the shipyard. Stockunas has volunteered his time to assist Habitat for Humanity for 10 years.

"Building a Habitat for Humanity home is a lot like building a ship," he said. "It takes many skilled individuals, working together with a common goal," he said. "The phases and execution are similar with many support groups chipping in along the way, all intertwined with a lot of communication and coordination. Much like a ship, the house doesn't really come alive until we hand it over to the owner."

Homeowners Jeremiah and Crystal Lamberty are enjoying the excitement the new home has brought to their four children, who showed off the paint colors they chose for their bedrooms. Crystal admitted she couldn't wait to start decorating the rest of the 1,400-square-foot house that boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

"It's a dream come true, really," Jeremiah said. "It's something God intended for us."

Below are groundbreaking ceremony photos from the Friday, May 2 event. Details here.

This summer we are partnering with local builders, churches, businesses and other organizations to build five homes for five families in the Forest Heights section of James City County on Benefit Lane.  

The local builders include Peninsula Housing & Builders Association (PHBA), Edgerton Contracting, Inc., plus Harrison & Lear, who will build two of the homes with their partners!  We are also joining forces with community partners, including Anheuser-Busch, York River Electric and Wells Fargo to build three of the homes!  The Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) also provided funding for this project.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony for all five homes is scheduled for Friday, May 2 at 10:30 a.m. If you set your GPS to 120 Forest Heights Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23185, you will arrive to Benefit Lane.

This is going to be one heck of a summer for 5 excited Habitat families!!!