The Red and Black

Issue date: 7/5/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: MARK SCOTT Quarterback Joe Cox paints the wall of a Habitat For Humanity home on June 30. The team, accompanied by Coach Mark Richt spent the day at the home. [Click to enlarge]

Redshirt sophomore Antavious Coates didn't mind the heat.

Even though it was 95 degrees, the strong safety was doing his part with his Georgia football teammates to help build a house with the Athens branch of Habitat for Humanity last Saturday.

"I figure if we practice in (the heat), we can at least help somebody that needs help in it," Coates said.

During the past four weeks, coach Mark Richt and members of the football team have given their Saturday mornings to volunteer to build a house for soon-to-be homeowner Susie Thomas.

"I've always just wanted a house," Thomas said. "I've lived in apartment complexes for eleven years and I've always wanted a three bedroom house."

The home isn't coming easy for Thomas though. In order to secure the ownership, Thomas had to work 200 hours for Habitat for Humanity before the construction of her house began and then log an additional 300 hours of what is called "sweat equity" while her house was being built.

Once the house is completed, Thomas will be a homeowner for the first time in her life.

"The plan from there, when the house is done, is to just enjoy living the rest of my life as long as I'm living here," Thomas said.

It won't be free either, as she will pay an affordable, monthly mortgage rate once the house is finished - which is part of Habitat for Humanity's ultimate goal. The non-profit group's mission is to "eliminate substandard housing in Clarke, Oconee and Oglethorpe Counties in the state of Georgia."

Richt and the Bulldogs are helping make this dream a reality for Thomas through Habitat for Humanity's Building on the Dream program. The house is on a 16-week build schedule, but could possibly be completed earlier.

Richt and the Bulldogs have paired up with Habitat for Humanity and sponsor HomeBanc Mortgage Corporation since 2001, when Richt arrived in Athens. Richt searched for community service ideas until he teamed up with former Georgia linebacker John Brantley, who works at HomeBanc.

Continued...

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