DREAM HOME: Habitat for Humanity makes dream home possible for Orrville couple

PHOTO BY AARON COCHRELL | HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Astoria and Cardell Fields are presented keys March 24 during a house dedication for their dream home in Orrville thanks to Habitat for Humanity.

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA McCUNE | DGKN
Astoria Fields becomes emotional during a key ceremony March 24 in Orrville. Friends, family members, Habitat for Humanity volunteers and public officials joined in the house dedication for Cardell and Astoria Fields.

By CHRISTINA McCUNE
DGKN managing editor

ORRVILLE  Astoria Fields has a childhood memory of playing in the field off of McGill Street by Oak Street Elementary School when she was a kid.

The 100-year-old school was razed when the new school was built and new homes have popped up in the neighborhood.

“I can’t believe I’ve got a house where I used to play ball,” Fields said last week following a key ceremony and house dedication. “I went to school here.”

Family members, friends, neighbors, Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers, public officials and other supporters filled the recently completed garage March 24 to join in the celebration of Astoria and Cardell Fields’ new home.
Habitat for Humanity in Wayne County marks 40 years and this is the organization’s 95th house. A groundbreaking is scheduled for another home in Wooster this month.

The path to their dream home was paved with persistence and patience, said Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Beth Weaver. She told those in attendance that she and others felt privileged getting to know the Fields family and Cardell Fields in particular over the past several months.

“Month after month for more than 45 months, he (Cardell Fields) faithfully made his call into our office,” Weaver said. “Through those simple steady check-ins, we came to know his heart, his determination, his patience, his kindness. Long before we built this house. We knew that Cardell was someone who was never going to give up on his dream.”

A program for the house dedication states the property for the Fields’ new home was donated by Mahlon and Gwendolyn Schmucker. The house was built in memory of president Jimmy Carter and a tree was planted in his honor. Many “thank yous” are in the program to Habitat volunteers, groups that provided work days, in-kind donors and partner families who put in sweat equity. Pastors prayed over the couple and the house and everyone involved during the dedication. Orrville Mayor Matt Plybon and Wayne County Commissioner Jon Hofstetter were among public officials in attendance.

“And when the dream finally began to take shape, both Cardell and Astoria stepped forward with full hearts and willing hands,” Weaver continued in her welcome speech. “They showed up. They worked. They gave their time and energy filling their sweat equity hours with purpose and pride. Along the way our staff didn’t just get to know them we came to truly appreciate their gentle and persistent spirit.”

Dwayne Caldwell, elder at Kingdom Revival, blessed the home. Christine Florence, minister at The Light Church, said the opening prayer. Tony Thompson, construction manager, provided words of thanks, and Heidi Dellafave, Habitat homeowner, shared a Basket of Blessing with symbolic items. Retired Teachers of Wayne County also provided housewarming gifts. Habitat volunteers presented the keys. C.B. Fields, assistant minister at Eastern Church of Christ, provided the closing prayer.

The house dedication program also paid tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, who, along with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, became one of Habitat for Humanity’s most recognizable advocates. Carter began volunteering with Habitat in 1984 and continued until his 90s, helping to build, renovate, and raise awareness of affordable housing projects around the world, according to a Wayne County government news release by Dan Starcher, public communications coordinator.

The Orrville home, a new construction project, was completed through Habitat’s established partner-family model, which pairs affordable homeownership with hands-on involvement from future homeowners, the news release states. The Fields family was selected through a structured application and engagement process that prioritizes sustained interest, financial readiness, and housing need.

“In our partner family pipeline, families call in monthly to express continued interest, and over time, that helps determine who receives the next round of applications,” Aaron Cochrell, assistant director of Habitat for Humanity in Wayne County, said in the news release. “From there, we review finances, conduct a home visit, and move through a committee and board approval process.”

Once selected, partner families commit to 300 hours of “sweat equity,” contributing labor to Habitat projects—including their own home—while also completing homeownership education. The Fields family followed that path, helping bring their house to completion over approximately 10 months, from groundbreaking to move-in, the news release states.

“It’s a blessing,” Cardell Fields said.

The retired couple has been living in an apartment for years.

“It’s worth it,” Astoria Fields said following the ceremony. “The sun will shine sooner or later.”

The sun did come out during the open house and ceremony on the pleasant day shortly after the first day of spring.
While Habitat homes are not custom-built, families provide input on features such as siding and cabinetry selections, the news release states. Habitat for Humanity serves as both builder and lender, offering zero-interest, 30-year mortgages to partner families. Monthly payments are reinvested locally to fund future builds, creating a sustainable cycle of homeownership opportunities.

Orrville Mayor Matt Plybon grew up in the neighborhood.

“Habitat’s done some wonderful houses,” he said. “It’s one great family at a time.”

Plybon said in the Wayne County government news release that one single house can make a big difference.

“This is like a dream come true for our community,” he said in the release. “It not only provides a home for a family, but it also helps strengthen the neighborhood, which was once part of the former Oak Street School property, and it encourages continued investment.”

For more information, visit www.waynehabitat.com.