AnnuAl RepoRt 2007-2008 | 1 - Habitat for Humanity

patino Family
AnnuAl RepoRt 2007-2008 | 7
For some homeowners, paying off their mortgage is one of the proudest moments in life. Habitat for
Humanity of lee County has seen it’s fair share of mortgage payoffs since it first started building in 1979. In
2008 alone, Habitat reported six mortgages paid in full. one of those families is eduardo and Maria patino.
“the mortgage wasn’t my last bill, but it was a goal accomplished. My priority was to pay the house first. the
next project will be to get a new car,” says eduardo. the patino‘s house was built in 1995 as part of Habitat’s
Harlem Heights clean-up. More than 200 volunteers raised the roof, walls and brushed on the finishing
touches of paint in just 24 hours! As Habitat’s Construction Superintendent, eduardo has put his own
finishing touches on his home by closing in the garage, building a deck and adding decorative flair to the
interior walls. today, the patino family is surrounded with more than a hundred other Habitat homeowners
in the South Fort Myers neighborhood and says they are thrilled to be a part of the Harlem Height’s
community. “We have such good neighbors here. It’s quiet and everyone is friendly and looks out for each
other,” says Maria. And with four children all grown, the patino’s have even more space, time and money to
share their Habitat home with family and friends. “I expect in the coming year, now that we don’t have that
mortgage payment, we’ll make more trips to see family in Columbia and puerto Rico. Instead of visiting once
every three or four years, we should be able to travel at least once a year. plus, we can have family come stay
with us now that we have the rooms for guests,” says eduardo. “I feel good. I never thought I’d reach the day
the house was paid. You know, when you get your house, it’s not really yours. It’s yours when you pay the
mortgage off. now we have something for the kids. I never thought I’d reach that goal in my lifetime... at
least not at this age. It’s a very proud moment,” he says.
Family