A festive atmosphere Sunday highlighted a hallmark home completed by Habitat for Humanity of Island County.

Volunteers wrapped up Habitat for Humanities’ 20th home built on Whidbey Island. The new house was built in the Northgate area and will be the home of Laurie Butler and her two children, Dion and Aaron.

Volunteers, including personnel from several Navy squadrons, chipped in to help Butler build her own home. She herself had to provide a minimum of 500 hours in sweat equity in the construction. In all, it took 21 weeks to build the 900-square-foot home.

Volunteers, Habitat board members and Butler’s family showed up to the dedication Sunday afternoon.

Butler’s home would have used up the last piece of property Habitat for Humanity had available for new homes. One of the more noteworthy parcels used by volunteers is in the Red Wing development located off Heller Road. Bill Massey donated six lots in the development for Habitat homes. The last one was completed in August 2008.

Fortunately Habitat for Humanity purchased a parcel of land off Crosby Avenue in Oak Harbor. Karan Reed, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Island County, said the property isn’t currently ready for construction.

Before any homes can be built, Habitat officials have to go through the city to get the property subdivided into four lots. Then the appropriate infrastructure, such as water and sewer, has to be installed, Reed said. Once the four homes on the property are built, the project will be named Constance Court.

There is already a man lined up to start work on a new home, once a lot becomes available.

“I wish I had another lot right now,” Reed said, adding that volunteers could keep the momentum gained from completing Butler’s home.

She said Habitat might be able to acquire two more sites through Saratoga Community Housing Those properties might be ready for construction before the work at Constance Court is finished.

With the potential of six lots in the Habitat pipeline, officials are looking to identify another family for a home. That way, that family can work on meeting the 500-hour sweat equity requirement.

Habitat of Humanity for Island County formed in 1998 and completed its first home a year later. Reed also pointed out the local Habitat for Humanity group proceeds have helped build homes overseas. She said generally for every home Habitat for Humanity builds locally, two were built overseas.