HERRIN, Ill. - Some old property in Herrin, Illinois gets a new purpose. It's a historic site, the place where the city's first brick home once stood. But now many more homes will go up there thanks to Habitat For Humanity of Williamson County.

"We're hoping and praying that this will be a neighborhood that marks a different experience in Herrin," said Rev. John Holst, President of Habitat For Humanity of Williamson County.

Holst said there's a future for what's now an open field.

"We don't know who will fill this neighborhood, but we know it will be special folk," he said.

And one of those folk he refers to is Sarah Russell.

"I'm very excited," she said.

Russell's house will be the first put up on a spot of land where the Harrison House, the city's oldest once stood.

Build time should take about six months. The development is called Habitat Lane. When it's finished seven homes will line the street.

"The creators of that home who lived here marked a special place in Herrin, their history, their story. We're starting a new story here today," said Holst.

With a lifting of the shovel, that story began.

"It's helping others that need it," said Russell.

Russell said she's ready for the challenge, showing her two daughters and baby boy, you've got to work for what you get.

"Teach my kids there's more out there than just getting everything that they want when they want it," she said.

Russell's grateful the community is here to help.

"Habitats are not free homes. They are homes built by a community for a community to help folks get what we call a hand up," said Holst.

Habitat homeowners do put in some 200 hours of sweat equity for their home, along with paying for the place at a reasonable rate.

If you'd like to volunteer with Habitat For Humanity of Williamson County, click here.