By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

Call it a Christmas blessing. Monica Stecklein does.

Stecklein and her son, Skylar, 10, were one of two families recently selected to occupy the Habitat for Humanity homes at 17th and Allen streets in Hays.

"I feel very blessed and very happy to know that we will have shelter and a home," Stecklein said.

The Steckleins were selected to live in the home at 402 E. 17th that was moved from another location in Hays and refurbished. The home is expected to be complete in about six weeks.

As the recipient of the home, Monica Stecklein, who has lived in Hays and worked at Centennial Salon for about 20 years, is required to put in 200 hours of "sweat equity" on the home.

She already has a head start, working both on the house and at Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County's ReStore.

"I have a couple of friends who have helped at the house so their hours help my hours," she said.

The Steckleins have made most of the decorating decisions including colors and paint selections. And Skylar Stecklein already has his bedroom picked out.

"It's been really thrilling," Monica Stecklein said. "I can't imagine having those opportunities ever again."

Stacy Mendenhall and her son, Matthew, a junior at Hays High School, were selected as the second family to occupy the Habitat homes. The Mendenhalls were not present at Habitat for Humanity's announcement Friday morning. Construction of their home should be completed later in 2010.

Wendy Beougher, co-president of Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County, said there were four applications for the houses, which are being constructed with volunteer help, including that of classes at North Central Kansas Technical College.

"We'll try to get (the first) one finished up so Monica can get in the house and then we'll concentrate later on the other," Beougher said.

Work days on the homes are scheduled for the next two Saturdays as well as some evenings this month. More information on volunteer opportunities is available at www.habitatelliscounty.org.