CAPTION: Zemuy Zeray and wife Gebriala Gebremeskal recently accepted keys to their new home, a ren-ovated Habitat for Humanity house on North Elmwood Drive in Aurora. The house (below) is Habitat’s 56th home in Aurora, Montgomery and North Aurora since the volunteer group’s founding in 1989. (Al Benson photos)

Christmas came early for the Zemuy Zeray family of Aurora.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, the family received keys to its Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity home on North Elmwood Drive in Aurora.

Marking a months-long renovation by hundreds of volunteers, Aurora-based Fox Valley Habitat dedi-cated the Zeray home with prayers, scripture readings and presentations.

The house is Habitat’s 56th in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery since the Christian housing minis-try’s founding in Aurora in 1989.

The dedication, Habitat’s second in two weeks, unveiled the future home of the Zeray family: Zemuy Zeray, his wife Gebriala Gebremeskel, son Nahom Gebremichael and grandmother Tsgehana Zeweldi.

Rev. Jeff Barrett, Habitat CEO and pastor of Genesis Community Church in Montgomery, presided.

Tessu Gedar, pastor of Maranatha Evangelical Church, Chicago, gave an opening prayer.

After Rev. Bartrett introduced Habitat board members and guests, other speakers included Zeray, Bill Donnell, Fourth Ward alderman; Linda Chapa LaVia, Ill. State Rep.; and Ron Kelso, Yorkville, Habitat board vice chair.

Kelso presented a copy of his book “Habititus,” a children’s book that tells the Habitat story. Rev. Barrett presented a family bible and Debbi Albright, Habitat operations director, presented house keys.

Funding partners were Community Foundation of Fox Valley, Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, Anixtr, Aon, Travel and Transport, O’Cedar, Meadowvale and Attorney General National Foreclosure grant pro-gram.

Volunteers included East Aurora High School students led by Kurt Rowley, building trades instructor, and Boy Scout Troop 849 based at Big Woods Church in Eola.