Trees for a new house

MOSES LAKE - About 200 people wandered around tables stacked with everything from plaster casts to gift certificates for oil changes.

All of the items were up for bid during Habitat for Humanity's Festival of Trees. The fund-raiser netted about $62,500 for the group last year, said Curtis Robillard, the board member in charge of the event. After the event, the group received about $7,500 more.

The money helped a local family receive a house. This was the eighth house the group helped build, and they have already purchased land for the ninth.

"We try to do one a year," Robillard said. "We help families that can not in any other way afford to get a house, buy a house."

Robillard said they increased the amount of silent auction and live auction items from last year. The families have to put in about 500 hours of work and pay the group back during the next 20 years for the cost of the materials.

One of those people aided by the program was Manuel Figueroa, who's family moved into their new house in November 2006.

"Everybody in the family is happy," he said.

While the event didn't sell out, Carolyn Grant the president of the board, said she was happy about the turnout. She placed bids on several items in the silent auction, she said.

"This is my second year in Moses Lake," she said. "I bid on something for my granddaughter."

Grant, who has been a realtor and a builder, said she loves to see people get into a house.

"It's just where my heart is," she said. "In my opinion a house gives people a sense of security and a sense of pride."

Along with the items in the silent auction, several already decorated trees were set around the sides of the hall. All of them were up for auction. Robillard pointed out three trees which were decorated by students.

"It's just fabulous how this year is turning out," he said. "Kids did this … They find a sponsor and then buy or make all of the decorations and decorate it."

For more information, contact Moses Lake Habitat for Humanity at 509-764-0160.