Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County celebrated the construction of its 120th home at a dedication ceremony Sunday, October 20, 2013 in Wesley Chapel. The new homeowners, The Soto Family thanked all those who worked so hard to help them reach this goal. Wesley Chapel Toyota Honda is the major sponsor of this home. Wesley Chapel Toyota Honda also had teams of volunteers help build it! Wells Fargo was also a building sponsor that donated financially and with a team of volunteers.

In May 2013, the walls of this Wesley Chapel home were framed up during a special event at The Shops at Wiregrass. More than 100 volunteers and sponsors came together for two days to build the walls and transport them to the build site. Habitat for Humanity uses volunteer labor, when they can, to help keep building costs down.

Sunday, after explaining that the Soto family had performed 400 sweat equity hours working on their home and the homes of others as a requirement for becoming Habitat homeowners, Crystal Lazar handed over the microphone to Eric Johnson from Wesley Chapel Toyota Honda, for the invocation. Habitat staff and Charlene Ierna presented the family with symbolic gifts including a Bible.

Mike Speigl, Managing Partner at Wesley Chapel Honda, said “This is truly a life changing event. How many times can you really say that you had an impact on one person’s life, for the rest of their life? Surely Daisy will take this opportunity to grow her family the rest of her life. I am proud to present keys to your new home.”

At the end of the ceremony, Daisy and her two sons Carlos and Oswaldo cut the ribbon that that hung across the doorway and invited supporters inside for a tour of the home.

The excitement didn’t stop there. Wesley Chapel Toyota Honda, employees, and friends and Ierna’s Heating and Cooling, employees and friends got together and furnished the home as a surprise for this family. Charlene Ierna volunteered to decorate the boys’ rooms.

Carlos, age 10, said he really liked wrestling. Carlos’ room was decked out in a WWE Wrestling theme with posters of his favorite wrestler, John Cena, and a mock championship belt.

Oswaldo, age 6, said he wanted to be a fireman when he grows up. Oswaldo’s room was done fireman style complete with fireman boots & hat, and actual fire truck parts for decoration.

Ierna’s Heating and Cooling also provided a bouncy house for the night, popcorn, and snow cones.
Pasco County Fire Dept., Station 13, stopped by to welcome the family to the neighborhood and gave the kids a tour of the fire truck.

Daisy Soto said “Owning a new home is a dream come true and having the opportunity to do this for my boys, there are no words to express the joy in my heart.”

Through donations of money and materials and volunteer labor, Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County was able to build the home and sell it at an affordable price. The Soto family purchased the home with a no-profit, zero-interest loan and their monthly mortgage payments will be used to build more Habitat houses.

Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County builds homes, communities, and hope! For more information, visit www.habitatpasco.org or call 352-567-1444. For more pictures of the dedication, visit and “like” our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/habitatpasco.

Photos by Habitat Staff