Jeremy Sargent pumps his fist Sunday during the dedication of his family’s new home in Beverly built by Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley as his daughter Abigail, left, looks over books presented to them by the Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sorority and daughter Emery holds a teddy bear made by the Senior Stitchers group. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

BEVERLY — Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Ohio Valley dedicated its 116th house — and first in Beverly — Sunday afternoon.

Jeremy Sargent and his three children received the keys to their house and other gifts surrounded by Habitat volunteers and community members.

Sargent said the opportunity came about “by the grace of God” as he was struggling to find a place to live.

“They called me when I was in a hopeless spot,” he said.

As is required of all Habitat house recipients, Sargent worked alongside volunteers on the construction of his house and will do the same for other Habitat houses.

From left, Jeremy Sargent and his children Emery, Collier and Abigail pose for photos Sunday afternoon on the deck of their new Habitat for Humanity home in Beverly. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“There’s a certain level of honor in being in a home you’ve worked so hard to get,” he said.

That sweat equity is part of the process for acquiring a Habitat home, along with repaying a zero-interest loan for the purchase.

In addition to the keys to the house, Sargent and his children were presented with a Bible from Habitat board member Carolyn Garrity, books from the Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sorority, an American flag from the Blennerhassett Daughters of the American Revolution and quilts by the Parkersburg-based Senior Stitchers group.

That last gift also came with a blue teddy bear that earned Senior Stitchers President Pat Barker an enthusiastic embrace from Sargent’s daughter Emery. Barker said the group wants to make sure the children feel included in all the activity surrounding the dedication and “as comfortable as possible” moving into a new house.

The Sargents’ is the first of three homes to be built in the same area of Beverly.

Jeremy Sargent embraces Senior Stitchers President Pat Barker after she presented his family with quilts and a teddy bear made by group members at Sunday’s dedication of the family’s Habitat for Humanity-built home in Beverly. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Habitat Executive Director Robin Stewart thanked the volunteers who helped with the build, both news ones and regulars for whom traveling to Beverly was a bit of a haul.

“Volunteers are the heart of this organization,” she said. “We would not be able to do this without people who get up on Thursday or Friday and say, ‘I’m going to go help my neighbor today.'”

A new contributor was Top Shop in Parkersburg, who made the cabinets and countertops for the house.

“We plan on making it a long-term partnership,” Top Shop owner Daniel Collie said. “Just trying to find out a way to give back to the community we work in.”

Contributions to the house also came from the Ohio Department of Development and the Marietta Welfare League.

Jeremy Sargent’s daughter Emery, right, hugs Senior Stitchers President Pat Barker after Barker presented the Sargent family with quilts for their new home and a blue teddy bear for Emery, all made by group members, at Sunday’s dedication of the family’s Habitat for Humanity-built house in Beverly. (Photo provided by Lisa Collins)

Lisa Collins, director of communication and development for the local Habitat organization, said the next project will be a house on Plum Street in Parkersburg with an emphasis on female volunteers participating in the build. More information about volunteering and contributing to the organization can be found online at www.habitatmov.com.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

The Sargent family pose for photos Sunday afternoon on the deck of their new Habitat for Humanity home in Beverly. (Photo by Evan Bevins)