It was a merry Christmas indeed for a local Bay Shore family who received the keys to their new home on Dec. 22 after working with nonprofit Habitat for Humanity to achieve homeownership.

Helen and son DeVon, of Bay Shore, were looking for a new home after the death of their previous landlord caused their apartment to be sold. The duo resided in a small three-bedroom apartment shared with two other adults and three children.

Helen said that her sister encouraged her to fill out a Habitat for Humanity application. Diane Manders, the director of homeowner services for Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, said that once the team read the application, they knew that Helen and DeVon were perfect candidates. Unfortunately, there was not a home available in Bay Shore at the time, and Manders said she had to make the difficult phone call to tell Helen. A few months later, Manders called Helen back with the news of an available home.

Manders recalled how when Helen and DeVon were meeting to discuss all of the details of a 30-year mortgage, she spoke to Devon separately about the commitment.

“I said, ‘DeVon, you’ll probably be the youngest homeowner we’ve ever had and first-time homeownership tied to a 30 year mortgage’,” Manders said. “‘I just need to be sure that you understand what you’re committing to and that it’s something you want to do.’ He did not miss a beat. This very young man said, ‘If my mother and I can buy a home together and I could do this for my mom and for myself, I’m all in.’”

Habitat for Humanity homes are not free. Families are required to complete 300 hours of “sweat equity,” helping to build their home and houses for others in the program. Families are also asked to save one percent of the purchase price of the home, and the house is sold at market value. Manders said that the organization does their best to bring down the price of the home with grants and various disbursements. Helen and DeVon took financial preparation classes and signed a 30-year mortgage with 2 percent interest, with Habitat for Humanity of Long Island holding a second mortgage.

Helen and DeVon expressed gratitude to Habitat for Humanity and thanked all of the people who worked alongside them on the house.

Bishop Harrison Hale, the senior pastor of Cornerstone Church of God in Christ Inc., blessed the house.

“This could not have happened to a more worthy family,” Harrison said. “Helen and DeVon have been members of our church for over 30 years.”

Harrison noted that Helen volunteers extensively in the community and has even traveled abroad to help others.

Also at the dedication ceremony were Town of Islip supervisor Angie Carpenter and Town of Islip councilman Jorge Guadrón, who presented Helen and DeVon with a citation from the town.

“You have made me so happy, and this is the best Christmas that I ever will have,” Helen told the Habitat for Humanity team.