Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter staff, community partners, and volunteers gather Oct. 30 outside 426 Pine Street to celebrate the completion of Rural Rally week in Marysville.

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Originally built in the late 1920s, the quaint homes lining Pine Street in Marysville were once used to house military members stationed at Beale Air Force Base.

The area, historically known as Kelly Court, has since evolved into a diverse, mixed-residential neighborhood of renters, homeowners, young families, and longtime residents — many of whom benefited last week from one of Habitat for Humanity’s Rural Rally.

“I’m speechless, I can’t thank (Habitat) enough,” said Dianne Sink, a homeowner on the street who has received Habitat’s help multiple times. “This is my favorite neighborhood, and it’s just been a blessing to have all these volunteers out here.”

Volunteers apply fresh paint to a Pine Street home in Marysville during Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter’s 2025 Rural Rally. Nearly every house on the block received exterior paint and yard improvements during the multi-day effort.

The Closing Ceremony on Oct. 30 marked the conclusion of the 2025 Rural Rally, a multi-day community build spearheaded locally by Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter. The main project centered on a residence at 426 Pine Street, but improvements stretched across the entire block.

“Anytime we do anything in the community, this is the norm,” said Cami Benner, Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter’s Director of Family Services. “We try to do something great for all of our neighbors and make them comfortable with us being there, because affordable housing can have a lot of stigmas attached to it.”

Nearly every home on Pine Street received a fresh coat of exterior paint, while landscaping and cleanup were carried out throughout the neighborhood. Jeff Stephens, founder of SAYLove, estimated that volunteers removed around six tons of debris, mostly leaves and branches.

Several homes also had wooden fencing rebuilt, and about ten households received new appliances donated by Whirlpool.

“This week is what I always envisioned,” said Benner. “Being able to do this and work hard alongside volunteers is what we always long to do.”

Homeowner Dianne Sink poses on her freshly painted porch on Oct. 28 during Habitat for Humanity’s Rural Rally volunteer week in Marysville. Sink said she was “speechless” and grateful for the volunteers’ work on her street.

Although the Rural Rally officially wrapped up on Oct. 30, Habitat teams will continue finishing repairs and renovations at 426 Pine Street through November. Once complete, the home will provide affordable ownership to a local veteran or someone with lived experience of homelessness.

Benner emphasized that Habitat for Humanity does not “give away free homes.” Instead, the organization provides homes with affordable mortgages to qualified candidates who have demonstrated financial readiness and responsibility.

A selection committee — made up entirely of non-Habitat members — will evaluate applications and decide who will receive the opportunity to purchase the newly renovated home. Those interested in joining the committee or getting involved with future projects can visit yubasutterhabitat.org

Looking ahead, both Sink and Benner hope to advocate for additional city support to improve the neighborhood’s aging infrastructure. The road along Pine Street is visibly worn and riddled with potholes, and Sink said that the towering trees — though historic — have become a hazard due to falling limbs.

“This is an area that the city already wants to put some energy into, and it is marked historic,” Benner said. “Things take time, but this is an incredible start.”

The residence at 426 Pine Street served as the main build site during Habitat for Humanity Yuba-Sutter’s Rural Rally. The project will soon provide an affordable home to a local veteran or individual with lived experience of homelessness.