Hannah's Home of South Florida Board President David Dreyer, Director Tom Jones, founder Carol Beresford, director Jon Olsen and Tequesta Mayor Abby Brennan. Photo by Linda Chick

With gold shovels in hand, founder Carol Beresford and officials broke ground on the multimillion-dollar expansion of Hannah's Home of South Florida.

The move significantly will increase the size of the Palm Beach County home for unwed expectant teen mothers and their babies.

"We are looking for cash donations, materials and labor," said builder Don Jones, of Hedrick Brothers.

Hannah's Home is relying on donations for the project, and Jones forecasts the first phase will take about seven months to complete. Upon completion of the three-phase project, an approximate 22,000 square feet will be added to the four-bedroom residence in Tequesta.

Hannah's Home opened its doors in 2011. To date, a total of 11 babies have been born there. More than 600 girls have been helped directly or indirectly by the charity's mission.

Phase one of the expansion is a childcare center for 10 to 12 babies and four additional bedrooms. Phase two includes a 12-bed dormitory and four graduate cottages. Phase three is a chapel and a caregiver's residence. The completion date for the entire project is 2024.

Participating in the groundbreaking ceremony were Paul and Carol Beresford, Tequesta Mayor Abby Brennan, Angela Finnegan, David Dreyer, Curt Fonger, Jerry Jernigan, Tom Jones, Walter Millet, Jon Olson, Dan Reedy and James Woolfe. Several volunteers helped with the event, including Linda Chick, Susan Fonger, Brenda McGarrity, Dan and Rochelle VanRyn and Jackie Woolfe.