CROWN POINT, Indiana – Carol Swisher, a longtime cafeteria employee at Franciscan Heath Crown Point, receives the keys to her new Habitat for Humanity home in Lowell on November 29.

The keys were presented to her by Daniel Klein, director of Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana, during a celebration to honor the home’s completion, attended by hospital officials and staff and others, that took place the day before Swisher was scheduled to move in. “I’m excited, I can hardly believe it,” she said, adding, she helped with paint, siding and window work, during the build.

Swisher received the news in May that her application for the new home was approved. The hospital purchased the home site and employees, along with Tonn and Blank Construction workers and numerous other agencies, joined Swisher in putting in 300 hours of labor required as one of the stipulations for owning the home. She also made a low down payment and will have low monthly mortgage payments on the three-bedroom, 1,200-square-foot house. Tonn and Blank also supplied materials, free of charge.

Among numerous attendees was Barb Anderson (left), President and CEO of Franciscan Health Crown Point, who also pitched in on the work and heartily congratulated Swisher.