Bakersfield.com

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Officials from Habitat for Humanity-Golden Empire and Union Bank of California were on hand as the home built by the organizations at the Kern County Fair was opened to fair-goers for inspection on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The home was built by Habitat Volunteers on the Fair Grounds during the first ten days of the Fair. The open house, which will be open from Saturday through the end of the Fair on Sunday evening, is intended to allow members of the community to see a Habitat for Humanity home and understand the mission of the organization.

The Roberts family are the recipients of this year's Fair house. The family includes dad and mom Ross and Leslie, Naphtali, 7, Jessica, 5, Jean, 12, and Everette, 10.

Habitat for Humanity homes are built mainly by the family and volunteers from the community using funds donated by individuals, churches, and corporate sponsors. The home was funded by an $80,000 donation from Union Bank of California.  It is the eighth home sponsored by Union Bank at the Fair and the eleventh home in Kern County to benefit from the Union Bank's Foundation. Including this year's donation, the bank's
foundation has donated $490,000 to the Habitat for Humanity - Golden Empire. Volunteers from the bank's operations throughout Southern California also participated in the construction of the home. The house will be moved on October 3 to a permanent location on Filson Street in southeast Bakersfield where it will be home for Ross and Leslie Roberts and their four children.

"This home is an excellent example of how corporate and community groups can come together to bring stability and hope to families and children in Bakersfield and, at the same time, make a meaningful improvement to our neighborhoods," said Habitat Executive Director Dennis Wallace.

Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry that builds decent, affordable houses in partnership with low-income families. Families contribute hundreds of hours of "sweat equity" to the construction of their homes and other Habitat projects. Upon completion, they purchase their home on a no-profit, no-interest mortgage.