Ground broken Saturday for 1st Habitat home for veteran

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County will break ground at 10 a.m. Saturday for its first home for a military veteran.

The ceremony is at 3889 New Road, Austintown, the location of the home to be built for former Marine Staff Sgt. James Skok and his family. It is the 43rd home built by Habitat Mahoning County.

The Skok family was chosen because they meet Habitat’s requirements for income, credit, willingness to partner, and because Skok is an honorably discharged veteran who served 18 years in the Marine Corps before being injured.

The Skoks have begun their required 400 hours of sweat equity. Skok and his wife, Laury, and three of their of the children will live in the four- bedroom, two-bathroom ranch home.

The house, Habitat’s first in Austintown, is sponsored in part by FirstEnergy, many local veteran’s groups, including American Legion Post 301 in the township, and some businesses.

Habitat, however, still is seeking additional sponsors for cash and in-kind services. Call Colin Penney at 330-743-7244, ext. 302, for information.