Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity repairs 150th home in South Metro Atlanta

Media Contact
Name: Trisha Pintavorn
Title: Marketing and Communications Manager at
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity
E-mail: Trisha.Pintavorn@schabitat.org
Office:  770-477-2367
Mobile: 404-694-0507

MEDIA ADVISORY

For November 10, 2017

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity repairs 150th home in South Metro Atlanta

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH) will celebrate the repair of its 150th home with a home dedication, ribbon-cutting, and celebration of its 150th home repair homeowners, Milton and Angela Williams on the weekend leading up to Veteran’s Day. Mr. and Mrs. Williams live in Riverdale, Georgia. Milton Williams is a Vietnam-era Army and Marine Corps veteran. Their repairs were funded by the Home Depot Foundation. Attendees will also have a chance to hear the Williams’ story.

WHEN: Friday, November 10, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

WHERE: 8733 Dorsey Rd
Riverdale, Georgia 30228

Overflow parking available at Bethel Baptist Church
10 Flint River Rd
Jonesboro, GA 30238

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Cynthia E. Jenkins, the CEO of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity; Milton and Angela Williams, Habitat partner family; other invited local elected officials and business owners

ABOUT SOUTHERN CRESCENT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing ministry that helps low-income families find opportunity, achieve stability, and improve their quality of life. SCHFH builds stronger families and neighborhoods by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive and affordable homes, to repair existing homes, and to address community needs through neighborhood revitalization. Since its founding in 1986, SCHFH has built 200 homes and repaired 150 homes.

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Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity appoints new CEO

JONESBORO, GA [September 5, 2017] —Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH) is delighted to announce the appointment of Cynthia E. Jenkins as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 5, 2017. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a locally run and operated affiliate of Habitat for Humanity that builds and repairs homes in Clayton, Henry, and Fayette counties in South Metro Atlanta.

“We are excited to have Cynthia on board. We think she’s going to take this organization into the future,” said Elias Makres, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity Board President and owner and contractor at Elias Hogan Homes Inc. “Her years of expertise in both the construction and affordable housing industry will serve her well in this role.”

A native of Newnan, Georgia, Jenkins graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 1998. Jenkins then brought her talent to various affordable housing organizations, including the Reynoldstown Revitalization Corporation, the Tyler Place Community Development Corporation, and G3 Communities, Inc., where she served as Executive Director.  She was instrumental in raising more than $3M in funds to rehab and resell foreclosed homes in distressed neighborhoods. Most recently, Jenkins has worked as the owner of C. E. Jenkins Construction in specialty trades construction and consulting for public and private development projects. She is also serving as Mayor Pro Tem for the City of Newnan with 14 years of service as a councilwoman.

Reflecting on her appointment, Jenkins said: “Habitat is one of the world’s best advocates and producers of quality affordable housing.  I’m eager to join this team of dedicated staff, board, partners and homeowners at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. I look forward to working with the Fayette, Clayton and Henry Counties stakeholders to continue pursuing that mission.”

About Southern Crescent Habitat For Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing ministry that helps low-income families find opportunity, achieve stability, and improve their quality of life. SCHFH builds stronger families and neighborhoods by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive and affordable homes, to repair existing homes, and to address community needs through neighborhood revitalization. Since its founding in 1986, SCHFH has built 195 homes and repaired 150 homes.

Media Contact

Name: Trisha Pintavorn

Title: Marketing and Communications Manager at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

E-mail: Trisha.Pintavorn@schabitat.org

Office: 770-477-2367

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Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds 200th home in South Metro Atlanta

Media Contact
Name: Trisha Pintavorn
Title: Marketing and Communications Manager at
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity
E-mail: Trisha.Pintavorn@schabitat.org
Office:  770-477-2367
Mobile: 404-694-0507

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds 200th home in South Metro Atlanta

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOVEJOY, GA [September 25, 2017] — Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH) celebrated and dedicated the homes of its latest five homeowners, Ashley Buffington, Melisa McKoy, Toni Tayborn, Ashley Patterson, and Sheneshia Anderson on September 23, 2017. The construction of these five homes marks 200 homes built by the organization.

These homes were all funded by the Home Depot Foundation and the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation and are the first homes in a planned 28-home Habitat for Humanity community called Hannah Springs in Lovejoy, Georgia. Pastor Jared Newlove of Antioch Baptist Church blessed the homes, and a breakfast was generously donated by the Jonesboro Dwarf House Chick-fil-a. Councilwoman Mary Ann Carp of the city of Lovejoy welcomed the group and completed the countdown to the ribbon cutting. Brecca Johnson, Assistant Director of Clayton County Community Development represented Clayton County and spoke of their support of workforce housing.  Additionally, one Habitat home was open and furnished by the McDonough ReStore for a public tour.

Since 1986, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has been building and rehabbing affordable homes for low-income families in Clayton, Henry, and Fayette counties in South Metro Atlanta. Southern Crescent Habitat homes and neighborhoods are located in cities all around the area such as Forest Park, Riverdale, McDonough, College Park, and Jonesboro. Habitat homeowners make between 30 and 80% of the area’s average median income. They must pay a monthly affordable mortgage and contribute 250 hours of “sweat equity” in the construction of Habitat homes, in addition to taking 50 hours of home maintenance and financial literacy courses so they are prepared to pay for and maintain their homes.

“As we celebrate our 200th home, we must also remind ourselves why we do what we do.  Homeownership is one of the most stabilizing forces in a community.  It is good for our families, our community, and our economy.  The families we support do the jobs that support our quality of life and support our society. The homeowners with whom we are celebrating, are absolutely part of the economic backbone of our community. Ashley Buffington is a pre-K teacher, Toni is a caseworker at the Salvation Army, Ashley Patterson is an account specialist at a wholesale producer, Melisa is a produce manager at Wal-mart, and Sheneshia is a certified nursing assistant,” said Cynthia E. Jenkins, CEO of Southern Crescent Habitat. “Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity works with families to bridge the gap to homeownership.  The families work.  They invest their time through 300 hours of sweat equity, take homeowner education classes and invest their finances to realize the dream of homeownership.  We provide the connection for our community to partner with them.”

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will begin construction on the next five homes in the Hannah Springs community this October. These new homes will be funded by the Clayton County Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Clayton County Home Partnership Program, and the Clayton County Community Development Block Grant. If you would like to volunteer to help build affordable housing, please contact Southern Crescent Habitat at development@schabitat.org.

About Southern Crescent Habitat For Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing ministry that helps low-income families find opportunity, achieve stability, and improve their quality of life. SCHFH builds stronger families and neighborhoods by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive and affordable homes, to repair existing homes, and to address community needs through neighborhood revitalization. Since its founding in 1986, SCHFH has built 200 homes and repaired 150 homes.

For more information on how to get involved or how to qualify for a Habitat home, visit schabitat.org or call 770.477.2367. Follow us on Twitter (@schabitatfh), follow us on Instagram (@schabitatfh), and like us on Facebook.

About McDonough ReStore:

The McDonough Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. A portion of profits fund homes, communities, and hope at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity in South Metro Atlanta.

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Wells Fargo Commits to Rebuilding Neighborhoods in South Metro Atlanta with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Contact:
Elias Makres, Board President
eliasmakres@gmail.com
9570 Tara Blvd.
Jonesboro, GA 30236
770-477-2367

PRESS RELEASE 

Wells Fargo Commits to Rebuilding Neighborhoods in South Metro Atlanta with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Jonesboro, GA [January 9, 2017] – The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation Priority Markets Program has granted $80,000 to the revitalization and rebuilding of neighborhoods in South Metro Atlanta with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity.

Since 2011, Wells Fargo Housing Foundation has committed over $300,000 towards Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s housing initiatives. Specifically, the Foundation has helped Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity launch its home repair program and supported home repair projects in Clayton and Henry County.  To date, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has served over 130 families through this home repair program.

The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation Priority Markets Program’s new grant will fund Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s Neighborhood Revitalization initiative, an approach to community development that addresses the needs of entire communities rather than Habitat’s traditional model of individual households.

Through its Neighborhood Revitalization initiative, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity partners with local residents, community groups, housing leaders, and local businesses to transform neighborhoods and enhance residents’ quality of life. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity first implemented the program in 2011 in the Normandy neighborhood of College Park in Clayton County, where they have completed over 20 projects including community gardens, home repairs, a live mural painting, community clean ups and safety walks after surveying residents on what issues mattered to them most. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will use these new funds from Wells Fargo to spread their Normandy-proven Neighborhood Revitalization model to other South Metro Atlanta areas.

“We value the partnership with Wells Fargo,” said Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity Development Manager Trisha Pintavorn. “Their sustained commitment shows they care about our communities and quality of life. We truly cannot thank them enough for helping us fulfill our mission of building homes, community, and hope.”

About The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation

In 2014, the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation donated nearly $20 million in support of affordable housing initiatives serving low to moderate-income households – including for seniors, veterans, and families – through community revitalization efforts. Since its inception in 1993, the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation has invested more than $150 million to such efforts, along with mobilizing more than 4.6 million team member volunteer hours to build and rehabilitate more than 5,500 homes and counting.

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat For Humanity (SCHFH) helps low-income families find opportunity, stability and improve their quality of life. SCHFH helps build stronger families and neighborhoods through homeowner education which includes financial literacy and by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive, affordable homes and to repair existing homes. SCHFH has created opportunities for hardworking people to own an attractive and affordable home. To qualify they must have a stable job with a 2-year tenure, spend more than 1/3 of their monthly income on rental housing, meet income requirements and invest 300 hours in sweat equity (building homes) and homeownership education (financial and home maintenance). SCHFH has helped over 300 families in South Atlanta, and more information can be viewed on their website, www.schabitat.org.

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Habitat Happenings November 2015!

The Home Depot to Help Build Seven Homes for Veterans and Others in Need

More than 300 store volunteers and vendor partners worked with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity as Part of the Company’s Fifth Annual Celebration of Service Campaign to Help Veterans and Military Families Nationwide.

On Thursday, Oct. 22, more than 300 volunteers from The Home Depot’s Supply Chain Department and their vendor partners joined local store associates and Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity to help build seven homes for veterans and other residents in need in Lovejoy, Ga.

This local volunteer project is part of the company’s fifth annual Celebration of Service campaign, a nationwide effort led by Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, to help give back to veterans and military families in need. Between now and Veterans Day, Team Depot volunteers will complete projects for veterans in every community The Home Depot serves.

Volunteer projects throughout the day included raising the walls for 5 homes, completing siding and paint for 2 other homes and building storage sheds.  In addition to Team Depot’s efforts, The Home Depot Foundation also will donate up to $1 million to veteran causes for customers who share their support for veterans and volunteerism via social media throughout Celebration of Service.

Georgia Gives Day

On November 12, 2015, Georgia Gives Day, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity hopes to raise $15,000 to complete a critical home repair for a veteran family in need. Everyone who donates $50 or more will be invited to our giving party at Topgolf in Midtown on Gero.  To RSVP and make a donation, please visit our Georgia Gives Day site here!

Meet Homeowner Veteran Lloyd

Lloyd served 13 years in the Army until he was honorably discharged.  He was awarded the following during his service: Army Service Ribbon, Army Lapel Button, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon-3, Army Achievement Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal-4th Award, NCO Professional Development Ribbon-3, & Expert Badge (Rifle M16 & Hand Grenade).

Purchasing a Habitat home will improve Lloyd’s quality of life significantly.  He is currently living in a cost-burdened apartment that is in need of a roof replacement and has mold issues due to a flood caused by an outdated water heater.  Floyd has been working hard to earn his sweat equity and can’t wait to have his own home.

Delta Flight Attendant Designs Home for Habitat Family

Delta Air Lines Flight Attendant Designs Habitat Home In Honor of Late Husband

JONESBORO, GA (September 23, 2015) –When Darren and Chatara applied to become Southern Crescent Habitat homeowners, they knew it would be challenging.  They had to each work 250 hours on their home and other Habitat projects, complete 50 hours of education classes, and care for their four little girls.  Additionally, Southern Crescent Habitat had to design a floor plan large enough to accommodate their family size.

An opportunity arose when Ms. Lauretta Griffin decided to donate her property to SC Habitat.  The size was perfect for a four bedroom home, and Delta Air Lines was going to sponsor it, Habitat just needed someone to create it.  Delta Air Lines flight attendant, Kim Mills-Smith had volunteered for the Delta sponsored builds for years.   In honor of her late husband, Jeffrey Scott Smith, who was a custom home builder, Kim became a house lead and worked on many homes, always sharing helpful suggestions for improving the plans.  With that in mind, Habitat employee, Terry Chapman, asked if she would like to design a new plan just for Darren & Chatara.  Kim was overjoyed and honored to be selected and created a beautiful plan she named “The Scottie” after her husband.

On September 8, 2015, Delta Air Lines kicked off the 27th sponsored build with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and began building “The Scottie”.  “Since 2004, Delta Air Lines has been a sponsor with Southern Crescent and has made a tremendous impact in the lives of many deserving families,” said SC Habitat CEO Kem Kimbrough.  This home will make a huge difference for Darren, Chatara and their girls.  “This is the light at the end of our tunnel,” said future homeowner Chatara.

During the kick off, previous owner Lauretta and her family wished Darren and Chatara many happy memories in their home just as they had for so many years.  The origin of the new floor plan created by Kim was shared and the significance of why it was called “The Scottie”.  It was a very special day for everyone to see what can happen when good deeds become blessings for others.  Southern Crescent Habitat is grateful to Delta Air Lines for their generous sponsorship, Lauretta for donating her property, and to Kim Mills-Smith for sharing her love of helping others in such a memorable way. The build will continue through Friday, September 25, 2015 at which time the home will be blessed and dedicated for the family.

When: September 25, 2015 at 2:30pm

Where: 397 Chase Woods Circle, Jonesboro GA

Interview Opportunities:

Kem Kimbrough, CEO Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Kim Mills-Smith-Delta Air Lines Flight Attendant/Designer of the “Scottie”

Habitat Homeowners-Chatara & Darren Brumfield

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and provides home repairs to low income families, who need a “hand up, not a hand out” through homeowner education, and financial literacy, provided by partnerships with communities of volunteers and donors.  Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 250 homes.  For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

 

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s team up for National Women Build Week

JONESBORO, GA (MAY 2, 2015) –  Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers were among more than forty volunteers to join Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity today to help build affordable housing in the Austin Meadows Subdivision of Lovejoy in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 2-10.

Volunteers worked to paint the interior and exterior of the home, install interior trim and complete the landscaping.  This is home number 6 in the Habitat community of Austin Meadows. We were so grateful to have skilled workers from Lowe’s to volunteer the very first day of this build and raise the walls, and now to finish it today by completing the final touches, said Jeni Klippel, Construction Manager for SCHFH. New homeowner Tamara will be starting her new journey thanks to Lowe’s and all of the volunteers.

National Women Build Week is a weeklong event created by Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program that challenges women to devote at least one day to help build affordable housing in their local communities. Across the nation, more than 15,000 women are expected to volunteer at Habitat construction sites this week to spotlight the homeownership challenges faced by women.

Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 and each year provides the support of Lowe’s Heroes and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills.

“National Women Build Week has made a difference in the lives of thousands of families since its inception,” said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe’s director of community relations. “We’re grateful to all the women who got involved this week and were part of something bigger with Lowe’s and Habitat.”

Lowe’s donated nearly $2 million to this year’s National Women Build Week, including a $5,000 store gift card to Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. National Women Build Week is one of the major initiatives supported through Lowe’s national partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat and helped more than 4,000 families improve their living conditions.

Habitat’s Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable homes in their communities. Since the program was created in 1998, more than 2,300 homes have been built in partnership with low-income families using Women Build crews.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program and to learn about Women Build events in communities across the U.S. year-round, visit Habitat.org/wb or the Women Build tab on http://www.facebook.com/habitat.

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and provides home repairs to low income families, who need a “hand up, not a hand out” through homeowner education, and financial literacy, provided by partnerships with communities of volunteers and donors.  Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 250 homes.  For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

 

 

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.

About Lowe’s in the Community

Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company, has a 50-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. Since 2007, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed more than $225 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility and LowesInTheCommunity.tumblr.com.

Habitat Hosts Collegiate Challenge Week

JONESBORO, GA (March 6, 2015) – Emory and Henry College students will travel to Austin Meadows during their spring break to volunteer with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. The students will help build homes and improve the communities the week of March 9th as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program.

“We are excited about Emory & Henry College coming to work with us at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity,” said Chief Development Director, Lynne Washington. Shirley Chisholm once said, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth”. “The service these young people are willing to give to a family in a different state speaks to the depth of their willingness to serve and help others have a new start, we couldn’t be happier and they are an example to all of us”, said Lynne.

The students will be working on Southern Crescent’s Interfaith Build which kicked off February 24, 2015 by a group of Clayton County High School students from Mt. Zion and Lovejoy. The call to end poverty is shared by the world’s religions, along with the conviction that decent housing for all is critical to achieving that goal. Interfaith groups come together in pursuit of a shared goal to put their faith in action. Other groups that will be participating in the build include the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Destination Church, Knights of Columbus, Tau Alpha Delta, Klassy Kreation and more.

Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program invites students to spend one week working with Habitat affiliates to build homes and improve communities. Since 1989, nearly 240,000 college and high school students have volunteered during their spring break to help build or rehabilitate homes, donating over $25 million to Habitat affiliates.

“Collegiate Challenge engages thousands of students each year who work diligently towards improving communities and building decent, affordable housing,” said Mark Andrews, Habitat for Humanity International’s vice president of volunteer and institutional engagement. “We’re grateful to them for supporting our mission and help families realize their dream of home ownership. Communities will benefit from their hard work for years to come.”

The Collegiate Challenge program is one of the many programs Habitat has to engage the next generation of leaders in Habitat’s work. For more information, visit http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/collegiate-challenge.

Habitat Puts Their Faith Into Action

(Jonesboro, GA) On Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 8:30am Habitat invites you to celebrate the kick-off of an Interfaith Build at Austin Meadows in Lovejoy.  Mt. Zion High School will be raising the walls that they constructed in their classroom and will get to see the impact of their hard work.  Jeni, a single mother with 2 children, who is a flight attendant and part time fitness instructor will get to see the first walls put up in her new home.  Churches and civic organizations from all of Habitat’s service area have been invited to join this great event.

 

The history of the Interfaith build with Habitat began in 2006.  The Interfaith Forum of Habitat for Humanity International unanimously affirmed the call to end poverty that is shared by the world’s religions, along with the conviction that decent housing for all is critical to achieving that goal. The result was a commitment to mobilizing interfaith groups around the world in answer to our mission. Those that will be participating in this build include Mt. Zion High School, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Destination Church, Knights of Columbus, Emory and Henry College, Tau Alpha Delta, Klassy Kreation and more.

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is first and foremost a housing ministry.  We welcome all religions to come together with mutual values in pursuit of our shared goal to help families in need.  With your help we can present a unified picture of “faith in action” to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live!

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity would like to have as much of the community involved as possible in this very special Interfaith Build 2015.  For more information about the Interfaith build, please call 770-477-2367.

SCHFH Brings In The New Year With Homes & Hope!

Jonesboro, GA (January 7, 2015) – Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will be kicking off a Unity Build, January 15, 2015 in the Austin Meadows community of Lovejoy.  This is the first Unity Build to celebrate what we can accomplish when everyone comes together for the common good.  Carmax will be kicking off the build by raising the first walls of the home for future homeowner Ms. Kym Bradley.  GA Power will be participating on Martin Luther King Jr day to celebrate his legacy of peace and humanity for everyone.

This is house number four in the new community of Austin Meadows and we couldn’t be more excited about moving forward to change lives for low income working families.  Also scheduled this second week of January is a home dedication for our first Veteran Build on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 5pm.  All of the volunteers are invited to celebrate with veteran Renee and her family as they begin this new journey together.

 

Veteran Build Dedication Coverage-Click Link Below!

http://lovejoyledger.com/habitat-dedicates-third-home-in-lovejoy