Habitat For Humanity's 200th House Is In Lakewood's Tillicum Neighborhood

• WHO: Tacoma/ Pierce County Habitat for Humanity, West Pierce Fire and Rescue, The Rotary Club of Clover Park and members of the Ng and Pankey Family.
• WHAT: Dedication of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat’s 200th house, built in honor of Gene Pankey.
• WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Saturday
• WHERE: 15407 Grant Avenue, Lakewood

Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity will mark a major milestone on Saturday, August 4 when it dedicates its 200th house built in Pierce County in Tillicum.

Volunteers and supporters of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity will join in celebrating this milestone as the Ng family begins their journey as homeowners.

Located in the Lakewood neighborhood of Tillicum, the 200th house was sponsored by many community organization including The Rotary Club of Clover Park and West Pierce CARES, a philanthropic group made up of employees of West Pierce Fire and Rescue. These service groups chose to build the home as a way to honor Gene Pankey, a longtime Lakewood resident, businessman and Rotarian who passed away in 2011.

“Once the community learned about Habitat’s plans for Tillicum and that the house was being built in honor of Gene Pankey, numerous Rotary Clubs, churches, Pankey family members and businesses volunteered to help with construction,” says Maureen Fife, CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat.

“This achievement is a testament to the generous spirit of Rotary members, volunteers and our friends at the West Pierce Fire District, who freely give their time and resources to eliminate poverty housing in Tillicum.”

As a part of the City of Lakewood’s plan for Tillicum, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has committed to build 30 new, homes on the sites of neighborhood eyesores or vacant land.  These houses will help create safer neighborhoods, add to the local tax-base, improve civic services to the area, and inspire neighbors to improve and maintain their own structures and property.

This milestone house represents the steady increase in Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s scale and scope to help more families in need of decent, affordable housing.

“It is a testament to the power of what volunteers can do when they come together to build homes, communities and hope,” said Fife.  “I am so grateful to all of the volunteers, donors and advocates who share our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

-Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity