GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Sweat poured from George Greenidge’s face, streaking with the sandy dirt that covered his clothes and body. He carefully picked through chunks of overgrown sod – some pieces which were no bigger than a grapefruit – to inch by inch to meticulously cover what soon will be his new backyard.

The sod clearly was past its prime and reduced to ragged remnants, but Greenidge didn’t complain. Every bead of sweat, every clump of loose earth, took him a little closer to fulfilling a dream.

“A little water and it will be just fine,” he said. “It’s going to look good.”

Four other volunteers were turning a construction site on Ruby Avenue into a home last Saturday. They worked through choking humidity without slowing down. The sooner they get the job done the sooner Habitat for Humanity can turn over the keys to Greenidge.

The three-bedroom, two-bath house is expected to be completed within days. A lot of the costs and labor were supported by local State Farm offices in Green Cove Springs and Orange Park. In fact, Diane Banks’ business is located around the corner from Greenidge’s future home.

Banks and Barbara Coleman joined some of their co-workers to spend a day working on the house last week.

“Since 2007 State Farm has donated over $21 million to provide the beautiful and affordable homes for members of our community,” said Orange Park’s Coleman. “State Farm realizes that children and families are the heart of Habitat for Humanity. We are very proud of the work that Clay County Habitat for Humanity has done, and we continue to look forward to working with Habitat.”

Banks said: “What an awesome experience! We love helping our neighbors and any time we can help such a great organization like Clay Habitat, you can count us in!”

Greenidge said he’s eager for his 4-year-old daughter to have a bedroom of her own. They currently live with his aunt and uncle.

To qualify, Greenidge was required to donate 300 “sweat equity” hours to Habitat for Humanity. Greenidge is at 260 hours – and counting.

“I’m going to keep working and helping out,” Greenidge said. “I will give back long after I’m in my home.”

Greenidge’s uncle, Tommy Hughes, helped lay the chunks of sod. Katesia Howard, along with her cousin Tal’Juana Williams and friend Courtney Gainey also contributed to the project. Howard said she’s next on Habitat’s list for a new home.

“The big thing is, I’m going to earn my house,” Howard said. “You can’t appreciate it if they give it to you. It’s amazing to see something going from nothing to something. It’s been a great experience to see it firsthand.”

The home is the second completed by Habitat for Humanity on Ruby Avenue, and it’s the 116th house built in Green Cove Springs – and the 178th home in Clay County – by the nonprofit organization.

“Clay County Habitat for Humanity is thankful for the continued support of State Farm and its local agents. Through the years, they have contributed to our mission through financial support and donating their time at the construction sites. We look forward to continuing this partnership to help those in our community receive affordable housing,” said Carolyn Edwards, Executive Director of Clay County Habitat for Humanity.