REDDICK-

A Reddick family living in tents will soon have four walls to call their home.
 

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday volunteers with Habitat for Humanity come together and work on building a home for the Leadingham family.

"Ihad intended on re-building the old house when I got back, but god had other plans," said Army Sgt. Richard Leadingham.

Richard and his family lost their house after a fan sparked a fire last March, destroying their home.

Two days later Richard left for pre-mobilization and was later deployed to Afghanistan.
For almost a year, Linda Leadingham and their four children cooked, bathed and slept in tents and mobile homes on the land where their house once stood.
Showing support for the family, students and teachers at the Francis Marion Military Academy started "Operation Rebuild," a community project that raised $51,000.

"How do you say thank you when it doesn't seem like it's enough," said Linda.
"I never expected this. The level of gratitude is so huge there are no proper words to describe it," said Richard.

Dave Scrambling with Habitat for Humanity said the outpouring of volunteers,many of them veterans, is ensuring the building of the house.

Even a couple from Pennsylvania drove down to help with the construction.

"They find out this is a family in need and here they come. There'll be as many as 15 to 20 volunteers on a Saturday," said Scrambling who is the Senior Site Superintendent with Habitat for Humanity.

With five weeks into construction the Leadingham home already has walls, a roof and even a bathtub.

The new home is almost twice the size of the old one.
With four bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and a garage.
Even though theres a large number of volunteers.
Richard and Linda feel their sweat and labor is the least they can add after receiving so much support from the community.

"I their worker. I'm a laborer. I'm the nail gun. I'm the holder," said Richard.

The house isn't finished yet, but the family is looking forward to what many of use take for granted.

"You can't see me tub yet, but it's like huge. You can put three people in their if you wanted to," said Linda.

The construction plans are two weeks ahead of schedule and the new house should be completed sometime in May.

If you would like to volunteer call 352-351-4663 or visit the Habitat for Humanity website.