City officials teamed up with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County to dedicate a home in Safety Harbor on Friday.
The home, which is located on Spruce Street, was completed last month for the Loving family.
After receiving many housewarming gifts, including their first piece of mail courtesy of Val-Pak, the Lovings took possession of their new home.
"On behalf of the entire community, I want to say welcome to Safety Harbor," Mayor Joe Ayoub told the family.
After the mayor spoke, the family received the keys to their new home from Lokey Automotive Group President Paul Lokey.
Family matriarch Kitina Loving then took the microphone to express her gratitude for the warm welcome to their brand new home.
"I want to say thank you to everyone who came out to volunteer in building the home," she said. "I want to thank the City of Safety Harbor...I want to thank Lokey, also.
"All I can say, and I can't say it enough, thank you, thank you and thank you."
After all the speeches and gifts, everyone placed their hands on the house as the home was blessed by Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County COO Ron Spoor.
Following the blessing, people filed into the house, which was the fifth home the organization has built in Safety Harbor and first one in six years.
While there were a number of city, business and Habitat officials on hand for the event, the ceremony held special meaning for Safety Harbor Vice Mayor Nina Bandoni, who has worked tirelessly in the field of helping homeowners find housing in Pinellas County for many years.
"There are no words that can express how I feel when I see a family get a home," she told Patch. "A home is a sacred place, and every family should have one."
"This has been an exciting experience," Bandoni added. "What a beautiful family the Loving family is. We're so happy to have them as neighbors."
For her part, Kitina Loving was almost left speechless by the whole event.
"I feel good right now," she said. "A little bit overwhelmed, but very happy."
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