SEARSMONT — Smiles and laughter filled a newly constructed home to capacity at a special dedication ceremony. Balloons marked the entrance to the home’s driveway, which quickly filled with cars that then spilled onto the street.

The scene was reminiscent of an especially large housewarming party, but the many attendees were celebrating much more than simply moving into a new residence.

The home so many gathered to celebrate was built from start to finish in three months, with the aid of more than 70 volunteers. 

Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County recently finished a home in Searsmont for one young family. The home's completion marks the third Waldo County house built by the organization since 2010.

The feat is especially impressive given that the organization was entirely volunteer based until a year ago, according to Mandie Sawyer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County.

The home dedication ceremony featured a variety of participants, each relaying their experiences working to bring the home to fruition. There were also a handful of blessings offered.

The recipients of the home, Nick Thibodeau, his fiancee, Lizzie Bilzier, and their toddler daughter, Lily, learned about the Habitat for Humanity program from Thibodeau's mother, who works at athenahealth and spoke with the company’s giving committee about the project, Bilzier said.

Habitat for Humanity eventually narrowed the selection down to two families.

Bilzier said her family found out they'd been chosen after members of Waldo County Habitat for Humanity came to her door with balloons and a card. Photos of the interaction, along with the building process, were featured in a slideshow for the duration of the dedication.

After a verification process and home inspection, the process of building the home began.

Building began for the home in August. The project entailed constructing an entirely new structure, after volunteers first demolished the existing residence. That home was deemed in need of repairs that would cost more than that of a new structure, Bilzier explained. 

Sen. Mike Thibodeau (no relation to Nick Thibodeau), a Waldo County resident of Winterport, made a special appearance to offer his congratulations to the family, and gifted the couple with two locally made shovels, "you'll need these," he told the couple, laughing.

Thibodeau also echoed a sentiment heard frequently amongst the participants, about the sense of community spirit in the area.

"There is not a better place to live than Waldo County," Thibodeau said. "This is a real testament to our county."

It was a sentiment shared by the new homeowners, who offered gratitude to the countless volunteers who made the project possible.

"First of all, thank you so much," Bilzier said. She told the full house that the project, "shows how bonded the community really is."

The 70+ volunteers, aided by the future owners, worked six days per week in order to ensure the house was ready for the family as quickly as possible. 

Bilzier’s mother spoke about her experience, telling the crowd, "I left every day overwhelmed with a sense of community."

In addition to the many volunteer hours, the project benefitted from many donations from local businesses, including all of the home's doors and windows.

Donors recognized by the Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County included: Adam Hills, Bangor Savings Bank, Doug Fortin, EBS, Gagne Construction, Belfast Hannaford Brothers, Jay Bonnarigo, Moosewood Flooring, Mathews Brothers, Mitch Brown, Northeast Equipment, PC Medix, Richard Ames, Robbins Lumber, State Sand and Gravel, Steven Lucas, The Juke Rockets, Viking Lumber, Waldo County General Hospital and the Waldo County Habitat Construction Committee.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County, and to find out about volunteering opportunities, visit their site. 

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com