Even with drenched clothes, dripping hair and muddy feet, volunteer parole and probation officers didn’t let heavy rains stop them Wednesday from working on a new home for a deserving family.

The officers, coming from Alleghany, Iredell and Cabarrus counties, worked on a Habitat for Humanity house at 1014 Celebration Drive. In cooperation with the probation officers, Habitat’s Rowan County branch is building the house for Vincent Durham and his two children.

The volunteers spent six hours working on the home and doing everything else to keep their minds off the bad weather.

“We were soaking wet, and it was windy and cold, and we were pretty thoroughly drenched,”said David Rowh, construction coordinator for Habitat. “We couldn’t get any more wet than we already were, but we had a great time. ... It was non-stop humor all day long.”

They even thought about situations that were worse than theirs.

“We compared our situation to World War II. I mean, we could’ve been getting shot at. ... I would take rain any day.”

Rowh said he wasn’t sure if anyone was going to show up, but everyone who signed up arrived on time.

“We thought about postponing the building date to a drier day, but it would’ve been up to the men. I was so elated when I saw everyone show up. It really gave me more motivation to continue on with the project. They have gained new respect from outside construction workers.”

Habitat officials expect to finish the three-bedroom home in mid-June.

Contact Cortney L. Hill at 704-797-4249 or chill@salisburypost.com .