Building a home

Hammering nails, putting up drywall and painting walls is not typically the way people want to celebrate 41 years of work before setting off for retirement.

But friends and colleagues of Jack Rogers, former chairman and CEO of the Winter Park-based Rogers, Lovelock & Fritz (RLF) architectural firm, knew that designing and building a house for a less fortunate family was a dream that a lack of free time had kept him from achieving.

So when Rogers decided it was time to retire in 2006, those who care about him surprised him by raising more than $60,000 in partnership with the Winter Park/Maitland affiliate of Habitat for Humanity to build "The house that Jack built."

A dedication ceremony took place on March 6 at the home located at 865 English Court in Winter Park, where it was named only the second home to be privately sponsored by individuals and the 45th house built by the Winter Park/Maitland affiliate.

Steve Schoene, friend and former colleague of Rogers at RLF, said that Rogers had grown up and worked in Winter Park. He had always been involved in community outreach and appreciated the mission that Habitat for Humanity had.

"Jack's integrity is really something," he said. "He's one of the last men willing to operate on a handshake and be a man of his word. If doing the right the thing is considered a good trait, he would go above and beyond it."

When friends and colleagues toyed with the idea of buying Rogers a gold watch as a retirement gift, Schoene was one of many who agreed the gift would not do for his longtime friend. He spearheaded the Habitat projected as a tribute to an unknowing Rogers, rounding up about 150 individuals who wanted to celebrate Rogers' retirement in a unique way.

The 1,100-square-foot, three-bedroom/one-bath Craftsman-style bungalow, broke ground in January 2009 and was completed in less than a year for the Mahant family.

Habitat homes cost between $75,000 and $100,000, not including land costs. A no-interest loan for 30 years is given to Habitat home recipients, where their monthly payment is about $300. Habitat for Humanity Winter Park/Maitland works with Orange County income guidelines to choose those most in need. All recipients of Habitat Homes must volunteer 100 hours of "sweat equity" on other Habitat projects besides their own and 500 volunteer hours on the construction of their own home as their down payment.

Rogers said the house was the "finest retirement gift" he could ask for after 41 years at the firm and expressed a quiet, but deep gratitude to all his friends and family who had a hand in making the house a reality.

He said not only has the family moving into what he calls the "greatest blessing" been enriched, but he has too by the generosity of those close to him throughout the years.

Hal George, president of the affiliate, said "The house that Jack built" was an interesting project to work on because of the rarity of how it came about.

Most homes are constructed by organizations such as schools, churches and non-profits because of the fundraising required, George said, adding that it can be quite an undertaking for smaller groups of individuals to accomplish.

George said the first privately sponsored home was built in 2002 in memory of the affiliate's former attorney, Hope Strong III, by his brother, former mayor of Winter Park David Strong.

The uniqueness of the home also refers to the addition of having Rogers' design expertise. Special features to the exterior and interior of the home include a wrap-around porch displaying bricked-column bases, specialized cabinetry and a cathedral-ceiling frame.

For single mother Eliana Mahant and her three children (Rachel, 16, Justin, 9, and Jason, 7) the house is a dream come true.

Rich reds, serene greens and vibrant turquoise and pinks decorate different rooms of the home, matching everyone's personalities. The Mahant family walked through their new home smiling ear-to-ear with pride and gratitude written all over their faces.

"I feel like I've won the lottery," Mahant said to everyone at the dedication ceremony. "I know in every part of my home that there is love and your hard work… It will always be more than a house, but a home to me and my family."

Habitat for Humanity

For more information on applying for a Habitat home or volunteering, visit www.habitatwpm.org