October 18, 2000 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Jim Farrell, PR First, 781-681-6616, prfirst@hardlink.com

WAREHAM, MA, ISSUED OCTOBER 18, 2000…When Habitat for Humanity begins construction on a two-bedroom ranch in West Wareham, Massachusetts later this month, their task will be easier because of the contribution of a business neighbor - a local environmental drilling company.

DRAGIN Drilling, a full-service company that provides environmental, geotechnical, construction, landfill and water supply drilling services, donated the labor and materials to construct a residential well -- a $5,700 value - on the site for a Habitat for Humanity home.

This was the first step in clearing the way for construction of the home, scheduled for completion in mid-December. Because this area of Wareham is not on town water, house lots are required to have wells installed and tested before construction can begin.

Jack Beck, Building Committee Chairman for the Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity, praised the efforts of DRAGIN Drilling, saying, "The well is the first step that all the other construction depends on. It was wonderful of DRAGIN Drilling to fit us in so quickly."

Construction is scheduled to start the last weekend in October. The new home will be a ranch style, with two bedrooms and one bath, located on Beach Street in West Wareham. The total area will be approximately 1,000 square feet; the home will be located on a 60,000 square foot lot on the Middleboro-Wareham border.

Carrie Collins, President of DRAGIN Drilling, said that her four-year old company was pleased to do its part. "As a local business, we believe it is important to help our neighbors when we can," she said, adding, "Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful organization that lends a helping hand to people in need. We understand the value of a helping hand; it was that kind of spirit that got our company going four years ago. We're delighted to have the chance to help a neighbor in need."

Kim Robbins and her daughter, Alyssa, will purchase the home and hope to be in before the end of the year. Four-year old Alyssa is wheelchair-bound and the home will have a handicapped-accessible ramp.

Jack Beck, Building Committee Chairman for the Buzzards Bay Habitat for Humanity, said that this is the second home the local chapter has built. "Our mission is to find affordable housing for people who have a need and can afford to pay for the house. It's not a gift, but it is a real bargain." Generally, he noted, purchaser pay no interest on the loan and purchase the property significantly below market value.

In addition to DRAGIN Drilling, other local contractors assisting included Scott Keen of Keen Pump Company, who donated his services for installation of the well pump; Snow & Jones, for the well and pump materials; Tom Barboza, for excavating services; Michael Bessey, for installation of a septic system; Morse Lumber, Harvey Industries, and Home Depot. For additional information on the local Habitat for Humanity, call 508-273-0225.

DRAGIN Drilling is a SOMWBA-Certified, Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) drilling company. The company's name was originally created as an acronym to describe its scope of services, "Deep Remedial And Groundwater Investigation Needs." A custom-designed fleet accommodates virtually every drilling need. Unique capabilities include auger drilling to depths up to 350 feet; screened auger sampling; collection of both discrete water and soil samples from a single borehole; 24-inch landfill auger drilling; all-terrain drilling; angle drilling, and more. DRAGIN Drilling is one of the only drilling firms in the United States with this 24-inch auger capability.

Their services have been used by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, the Massachusetts Highway Department, the Massachusetts Military Reservation, the South Weymouth Naval Air Station, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the City of Boston's Central Artery, and others. DRAGIN Drilling maintains headquarters at 2696 Cranberry Highway, Wareham, MA 02571. For additional information, please contact Carrie Collins, President, at 1-888-372-4461.

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