Fall begins this week, and that means the holidays are just around the corner. You can get a head start by purchasing a ham or turkey from Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties.

Habitat volunteers are selling pre-cooked hams and turkeys for pickup on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The organization uses all proceeds to help local families.

President Jane Conradi said the economy has been especially hard on contractors who typically donate to Habitat.

“That just makes our fundraising that much more important for our families we’re trying to help,” Conradi said.

Tickets are $30 apiece and may be purchased at Heaton Pecan Farm or from any Habitat volunteer. The hams are honey baked and spiral cut, and the turkeys are smoked.

Donors may pick up their hams and turkeys Tuesday, Nov. 23 at Peach Park between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets should be presented on that day.

“More than $5,000 was raised from last year’s fundraiser,” Conradi said.

Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide, nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate substandard housing. Families who apply to become Habitat homeowners must earn a certain number of “sweat equity” hours by working on theirs and other Habitat sponsored projects. Families also must take courses on homeownership and pay a mortgage. Those who are helped by Habitat, in many cases, would not be able to afford a home otherwise.

The local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, which recently joined forces with the Autauga County affiliate, is currently planning its seventh project in Chilton County, to be located on 13th Street in Clanton.

“We hope to start by the end of October,” Conradi said.

For more information, call 755-8655 or visit habitatautaugachilton.org.