RALEIGH, N.C. — Habitat for Humanity of Wake County's second annual Builder's Blitz is complete -- the result: 24 new homes in just five days!

Tom Gipson, president of Thomas Gipson Homes, and co-chair Mark Massengill, two of the area's most respected custom homebuilders, led a team of 24 of the area's premier custom homebuilders in Wake Habitat's 2003 Builder's Blitz.

"It couldn't happen without a lot of planning and a lot of work by a lot of people," Gipson said.

The Builder's Blitz started Monday and ended on Friday. The homes were built in Habitat's newest subdivision, Rosalynn Place, a 42-home, single-family subdivision just off Rose Lane in southeast Raleigh.

"It's quite impressive -- all these houses going up at one time," builder Steve Svalina said.

Tammy Simmons and her kids will be home for Christmas in their new home.

"My family asked them [her children] what they were getting for Christmas. My son said, 'a house," and that's the biggest gift I can give them," she said.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, new homeowners, builders, event sponsors, and all who have been affiliated with the project will gather on site for a celebration of completion and dedication of the 24 homes.

Tom Jones from Habitat for Humanity International will be present, as well as North Carolina congressmen Bob Etheridge and Brad Miller, to congratulate the team on their accomplishment.

"Completing these 24 homes in five days makes it possible for the Wake Habitat affiliate to meet its goal of building 50 homes this year" said Greg Kirkpatrick, executive director of Wake County Habitat. "The blitz build increases this affiliate's capacity in so many ways and is a major milestone for us. We are so pleased to be building our own capacity and providing more homes to families in desperate need. To have the greater building community as primary partners makes it all the more gratifying."