Northrop Grumman, Habitat team up

At the end of a Short Street in Newport News sits what some see as a vacant lot. But others, like Celestine Clarke, "see what is going to be a beautiful home that I am about to receive from Habitat and Northrop Grumman. That I have been wishing for many years and I am so grateful and so thankful for this day."

The two are teaming up to build the three bedroom, two bath, single story home. "It is about volunteering, teamwork and giving back to the community," said Barb Niland, with Northrop Grumman shipbuilding.

It is Nothrop Grumman 's eighth Habitat house and their seventh in Newport News. "Once the community gets established and you continue the homeownership process and people take pride, it changes the community. It gives us an opportunity to improve people's lives."

Improving people's lives by building "green houses" that are more efficient in reducing energy costs. Celestine's great granddaughter, Jnarrie, eyes a different color.

"I'm going to have purple drawers and a purple bed," she said.

No matter what the color, it will be a home for the Clarke family.

Construction of the house is set to begin next month and completed in May 2010.

Click here if you would like to donate your time or supplies to Habitat for Humanity.