EAST BUTLER — About 50 volunteers from several churches in Butler County came together Saturday to build a home for a family.

The 11-hour house raising, which ended about 7:30 p.m. with the structure and its roof intact, was the first one built by the Butler County chapter of Habitat for Humanity in about eight years, said the chapter's business manager, Cat Loeffler.

In the past, the chapter coordinated many intensive house rehabilitations, but did not build a complete house such as this one on Anderson Street.

"It's just amazing how much can be done in one day," Loeffler said.

Typically, she said Habitat begins a build project by looking at what land is available in sheriff's sales. Then, once the land is bought, the group works with businesses to receive donated items or supplies at reduced and wholesale prices.

"We try to get as much donated as possible," Loeffler said. "A lot of this house, though, came as a kit with prestructured interior walls from Universal Forest Products."

In addition to the UFP walls, windows and roofing, other reduced-cost products came from other Butler County businesses including Bauer Excavating, which prepared the house's foundation July 16.

Habitat volunteers will work with other Butler businesses throughout the rest of the week to complete the home's internal work, much of which will be done by electrician Bill Croup at no cost.

"The house is built with all volunteer labor," Loeffler said.

Most of these volunteers were from six churches including the new homeowner's church, North Street Christian Church in Butler.

Some of the volunteers know the Petsinger family of Butler, who will move into the house; others however, simply wanted to help as a continuation of mission work they were already involved with.

Ten of these volunteers were members of the Zion United Methodist Church in Sarver.

"We've helped with Habitat (for Humanity) in other communities for about three years, so when this came along we volunteered," said Jim Fritz, who coordinated Zion's involvement in the project.

"We are a church that believes very strongly in mission work," he added.

In addition to Zion members, volunteers from each of the six churches, as well as other community members, used their skills to contribute to the project.

Project supervisor Jon Ray coordinated the workers using leadership skills he gained in previous mission projects in both China and Africa.

Other volunteers who were retired construction workers, plumbers and electricians or people with some construction knowledge helped to erect the home.

Still others without construction skills helped by hammering nails, carrying lumber and handing out beverages or food donated by St. Fidelis Parish in Meridian.

"Some of the guys have some experience in construction, but there is a variety of experience," said St. Fidelis volunteer Jenny Cygan. "Some don't have the experience but came and simply said 'tell me what I can do.'"

Steve and Carla Cox from the Community Alliance Church in Butler said they just wanted to lend a hand in whatever way they could.

"We just wanted to be involved," Carla Cox said.

Cygan said missions like the house project unite the different church members in friendly socialization while working toward a cause.

"There's definitely been lots of fellowship," said Cygan who was enjoying getting to know volunteers from several different churches.

In addition to the volunteers, who mostly found out about the project through church networking and bulletins, the new homeowners have been involved every step of the way.

Aaron Petsinger said, "As soon as the process started we were involved, and it's been great working with Habitat."

He plans to move into the house with his wife and four sons by Thanksgiving.

"The Habitat program is a hand-up, not a hand-out," Loeffler said. "We take the cost of whatever materials are in the house and then sell it to the qualifying families at cost. Habitat will then carry the mortgage at no interest."

Once the plan is developed, she said families work with financial counselors to develop a workable budget for the 20- to 25-year mortgage.

Petsinger said he is looking forward to getting his family away from their previous neighborhood.

"There was some pretty heavy drug abuse in our old neighborhood," said Petsinger. "We are trying to get away from that, and the kids will have plenty of room to play here."