Rita Starling feels blessed to have helped build a house and to have made two families’ dreams of homeownership come true.
Starling, a resident of Eustis and volunteer with the Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter’s 2025 Women Build initiative, said she was able to truly understand the impact she and other volunteers had on the people who moved into newly built units during the Women Build Triplex Dedication on April 28.
With two families already living in their cottage-style homes, the event was more of a housewarming. During the dedication, attendees toured an empty unit, heard special words from representatives of Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter and thank-yous from the new homeowners.
“I feel I’m blessed to be here as a volunteer,” Starling said. “Everyone truly came together to help build these units. We met a lot of great people throughout the experience. We worked hard to ensure it was done to perfection as if it was our own home.”
The triplex, part of The Cottages at Heritage Grove in Tavares, is Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter first 55-plus community. There will be 23 units total built by Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter in the community.
Danielle Stroud, Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter’s CEO, said the home dedication reflects the nonprofit’s mission to provide access to affordable housing.
“Today, we see a community coming together to provide for other community members,” Stroud said. “This was a major neighborhood project and we also have 17 other sites in the works for families who need access to safe and affordable homes. We work diligently to provide that to the families we serve. It’s amazing to be here to celebrate this triplex and we want to continue this work.”
Veronica Troxell, Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter program director, spoke of the process families go through to be approved for a home.
“People in the 55 and up range may have given up on the dream of homeownership,” she said. “There are a lot of moving pieces, but we fight for you. We walk alongside you in your journey to homeownership.”
Troxell then introduced the two families who recently moved into their units and invited them to say a few words.
Rebecca Langfeld thanked everyone who assisted with the triplex build, saying her new home was an answered prayer.
“This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Habitat and these wonderful people who gave their time,” she said.
Marie and Joe Clark also were introduced to the crowd along with their daughter, Rebecca. Marie thanked everyone for their part in the build.
“We were living in a trailer that was 200 square feet. It was challenging,” she said. “By chance, we found Habitat and now here we are. It’s wonderful. The home is beautiful and there is plenty of room. We have everything that we need. Veronica was amazing. When it looked like we wouldn’t be approved for one reason or another, she kept going. I’m so grateful and I will be for life.”
Vann Gannaway Chevrolet, which sponsored construction on the empty unit, and Carter’s ACE Hardware, which sponsored construction on the Clark home, presented the two families with gifts, including a bible and a tool kit. The Tavares Police Department also gifted the homeowners with their own fire extinguishers.
Chip Gannaway, president of Vann Gannaway Chevrolet, welcomed the new homeowners to the community.
“We love being a part of this community and it feels great to see that what we are doing is making a difference,” Chip said.
Cade Carter, CEO of Carter’s Ace Hardware, said he was happy to continue his family’s tradition of giving back to the community.
“Our grandfather started this business in the ‘60s, so we are third generation,” he said. “We have been blessed to serve the community for a lot of decades and it’s a blessing to give back like this. Philanthropy was a big thing with our grandfather. We wouldn’t be here without all the partners. We are just a little piece of that, and it all works together.”
The Women Build initiative encourages women to join the “Sisterhood of the Pink Hardhat” by building and raising money to help increase the supply of affordable housing.
Construction on the triplex took place between May and October 2025, with the help of the women and other volunteers including Eustis High School Youth Construction Academy.
First National Bank of Mount Dora, the Zonta Club of The Villages and AgeWave Solution Inc. joined Vann Gannaway Chevrolet and Carter’s ACE Hardware in sponsoring the builds.
The Women Build initiative raised more than $84,000 in 2025 to help build the homes.
Starling said along with helping raise money, she worked on the triplex, caulking a few windows and side walls. After seeing the initiative’s impact, she plans to continue volunteering with Habitat For Humanity Lake-Sumter’s 2026 Women’s Build.
“My daughter Christina Carter, of CC Insurance in Mount Dora, put together a group of us to fundraise toward Habitat’s $100,000 goal,” she said. “When I spoke to her this morning, she told me we raised $12,000 so far with just our group.”
The 2026 Women Build will kick off with a Wall Raising Celebration on Saturday at 1330 Cottage Circle, Tavares.
Starling plans to help with the upcoming build with the help of her youngest daughter, also named Rita Starling.
“I want my daughter to see what it means to help people,” she said.
For more information about the Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter, visit habitatls.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
