South Shore Habitat for Humanity Gives Stoughton Family a Hand

Thanks to the volunteer efforts of the South Shore Habitat For Humanity (SSHH) and a coalition of local banks, the Daxberger family will have a will have a chance to own their own house, while remaining in their hometown of Stoughton.

Erin and Chad Daxberger are both life-long Stoughton residents. The two have three young sons—Dakotah, Kayden and Landon. Landon, who is the youngest at 3, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a debilitating muscle disease.

Selectmen John Anderson and Cynthia Walsh, along with representatives from local banks and the SSHH, joined the Daxberger family at the Community Bank Build Kick-Off event this past Monday morning, held on the site of their soon-to-be-home on Commercial Street in Stoughton.

The Community Bank Build featured employees from Dedham Savings Bank, South Shore Savings Bank, Randolph Savings Bank and Eastern Bank coming together over the course of this past week to help build Stoughton’s second SSHH home.

According to a press release, more than 50 volunteers from the banks came together to help build a 3 bedroom, 1.5 baths, 1,300 square foot Colonial home. Habitat families receive a 20-year, 0% interest mortgage and “must provide 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ with both construction and non-construction hours as part of their partnership with SSHH.”

The Daxberger’s currently live in a Stoughton apartment that is “clearly not meeting their needs,” Martine Taylor, SSHH Executive Director, said at the Community Bank Build Kick-Off. She said their current housing situation was too small, outdated, in “considerable disrepair” and was not handicapped accessible.

But Taylor said she was “impressed with the fact that no one was complaining about their situation.”

The Daxberger’s new home will be handicapped accessible, which is key for Landon.

Erin Daxberger addressed the crowd gathered at the Kick-Off event and said her family is still “in-shock” and on “cloud nine.”

“For Landon it’s huge. For him to have this handicapped accessible home and for us to stay in the town that we love, we just want to thank everybody,” she said.

In addressing those in attendance, Selectman Walsh said you couldn’t get “more Stoughton” than Erin and Chad. Walsh coincidently taught both in school. She thanked the community for coming together for this project.

Kayden got a chance to cut the ceremonial ribbon on the front door of the home.  Following the remarks, those in attendance were given a brief tour of the house.

Bank employees had written messages of goodwill all over the wooden frame of the home, something that will be covered up when the construction is complete, but also something that will be a permanent reminder of this community’s support for the Daxberger family.

Take a look at the media gallery for photos and video from the Kick-Off event.