The club is less than $5,000 away from the fundraising goal and has more than doubled the number of volunteers for the city's first Habitat for Humanity build. More than 60 people will spend Monday at the build site at the corner of Hwy. 3, West Side Road, and Paul Street putting up the walls and framing the house.

May 19 is "blitz day" said build chair Doug Frazer.

"We had hoped to get 50 or 60 volunteers in our wildest dreams," Frazer said. "We live in such a great community and we've had 142 people volunteer."

A groundbreaking took place at the build site April 14. Following the groundbreaking, CRL Campbell Construction and Cotton Inc. got to work digging and pouring the foundation.

Once the foundation was set a group of men from Christ Anglican Church in Wainfleet set to work building a knee-wall. Since the rock surface on the property is only four feet below the ground the house will be a raised bungalow. The knee-wall is an add-on to the foundation and will connect to the main level floor.

Paul Street will be closed to traffic May 19 as volunteers construct the home's walls. Once the walls are complete they will be moved over, installed and then the roof will be lowered into place. Certified construction workers will supervise the build and first aid services will be on site.

The list of 142 volunteers will be contacted to contribute time on the remaining build days.

"We've never done an adopt-a-home model where the community adopts the entire project," said Ryan King, communications manager for Habitat for Humanity Niagara. "The number of volunteers and businesses who have come on board and the funds raised is astounding."

King said the process has far exceeded any expectations Habitat had for the project.

The build process has been so smooth both Habitat and the Rotary Club are looking into a second home on the property.

"We've had so much success with this that we are already in discussion with Habitat for a second build," Frazer said.

He said the club didn't want to lock into the idea of a second build when they adopted the project. But with the commitment from the community, he said the club "feels it is in the best interest of the community to go ahead with a second Habitat home."

Depending on the build schedule of the first home the second home could begin construction as early as the fall or as late as next summer. The first home is expected to be complete by summer's end.

A family has been selected for the home, but has not been announced at this time. Each family member must complete a total of 500 "sweat equity" hours of volunteer work prior to taking possession of the home. Along with the sweat equity, home owners contribute between 25 and 30 per cent of their gross household income towards the interest-free first mortgage, which is typically repaid within 20 to 25 years.

All volunteers are asked to park at No Frills for the build blitz day. Lunch will be provided by the Canalside Pub and Eatery and McDonalds.

Habitat for Humanity Niagara is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses are then sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. For more information visit www.habitatniagara.on.ca.