The Boatman family’s lucky number is 13. Betty and two of her children were born on the 13th; the first two digits of their new home is 13, and they will move into the 13th home built by Habitat for Humanity on Whidbey Island.

Betty, her husband Zach and children Erich, Adam and Allison, gathered Sunday with the dozens of volunteers who have been working since October to build the 2,300-square-foot home in a development off Heller Road.

The Boatman family had been living in a rental near Deception Pass. Betty said the two bedroom home was small for a family with three children.

“Our family grew and we just outgrew the home,” said Betty, who is an in-home caregiver. Zach owns a lawn care business and both of their incomes, coupled with the increasing rents on Whidbey Island, made it difficult for them to find a bigger house.

The Boatmans also faced a financial roadblock in buying a house in the usual way. Because they chose not to have credit cards, Betty said they don’t have the credit history that helps with financing a home.

They signed up for Habitat for Humanity last spring, volunteered for Habitat programs and helped with construction of their home over the past several months.

Betty also volunteered at Our Habitat to Yours on Pioneer Way, which is a discount furniture store operated by Habitat for Humanity and helps fund its projects.

Although the home is just a bit bigger than their current rental, the extra bedroom will give them the space they need.

The Boatman family received a considerable amount of support with their home construction.

The congregation from First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor sponsored the project and more than 50 people gave time to help out with the building effort.

Many of the volunteers attended the home’s dedication ceremony Sunday afternoon. The sun even came out, brightening up a damp, rainy weekend.

Ken Eelkema helped coordinate the volunteer effort. He was given a small notebook and a coffee mug in recognition of his efforts.

He was quick to thank the other volunteers who gave of their time to help build the Boatmans’ new home. He added that singling out one volunteer among everyone else who contributed time was “dangerous thinking.”

Eelkema stayed in the limelight only long enough to hand over the keys to Betty, and everyone enjoyed coffee and cake before taking a tour of the new house.

The Boatman home is the 13th one built on Whidbey Island by Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

Number 14 is already in the works. Volunteers are building another Habitat home two doors down from the Boatman home. That home will be occupied by Steve Szot and his three daughters. Szot also attended the Sunday afternoon dedication.

Karen Reed, Habitat for Humanity executive director, said because of the church’s support building the Boatman home, construction could proceed on the second home.

The new home is located in the Red Wing development in Oak Harbor. Once the next home is complete, there will be only one vacant lot left of the original six that were reserved for Habitat for Humanity.

“We’re in the process of looking for property for on the south end of the island,” Reed said.

She added that Habitat for Humanity is also keeping its eye open for land on North Whidbey Island.