AARON HALE

Rafaela, Cristal and Edwin Santaella gratefully celebrate the dedication of their new home on Saturday. The Santaella's received their home through a collaboration of the United Church of Marco Island and Habitat for Humanity of Collier County.

AARON HALE

Pastor Neil Hunt gives a short sermon before the crowd gathered to dedicate the new homes. Hunt pastors the United Church of Marco Island, which has raised enough money to build 11 houses with Habitat for Humanity over the last 30 years.

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Tears welled in the eyes of Edwin Santaella as he thanked members of the United Church of Marco Island for the gift of a house on Saturday in Naples.

"From the bottom of my heart. You guys are awesome," said Santaella. "You guys are heroes, all of you."

The United Church of Marco Island raised money to build the Santaellas' house, which was constructed through Habitat for Humanity of Collier County. The donated house was one of four that were dedicated on Saturday in the Habitat neighborhood, Trail Ridge, in Naples.

Teddy Schimek, 13, and Danielle Sullivan, 11, were on hand for the house dedication. Schimek and Sullivan did their part to raise money for the house by selling lemonade and baked goods in Marco Island. Their Sunday school class raised $1,421 for Habitat houses.

United Church has partnered with Habitat for more than 30 years. United Church member Jack Hough said the congregation has raised money to build 11 homes for families like the Santaellas.

Edwin Santaella came to Florida from Puerto Rico 16 years ago seeking safety and stability for his family. He later brought his wife, Rafaela, and daughter, Cristal, to Florida. His son, Edwin, was born in America.

Although Santaella found work as a car mechanic, buying a house was always out of reach.

"It's been hard. We've tried to get a house many times," said Santaella.

But now, thanks to the hard work of Habitat volunteers and the generous donations from the United Church, the Santaellas have a house that they can call their own.