Don and Diane Barnes have received Habitat for Humanity International’s 2009 national Lifetime Achievement Award for their outstanding efforts to make simple, decent, affordable housing a reality for everyone.
After participating in several mission trips with their church, Hixson First Baptist, Don and Diane participated in a Habitat build with area Baptist congregations. Soon after Diane began working with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga to encourage women to build through its first Women Build house. After Don retired from Dupont, they served as full-time site leaders, working daily alongside Habitat’s construction staff, and those first two homes turned into many more.
Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga (left) with Don Barnes (2nd from left) Diane Barnes (3rd from left), Erika Pope, (right) whose home is being built in the Barnes’ honor, and Sumner McCallie, Habitat’s board president (2nd from right).
“Over the years Don and Diane have put in countless hours in helping community volunteers build Habitat homes,” said Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. “Their attention to quality and excellence have set an example for staff and for volunteers – over their many years of service they have lived out their faith in a practical way, by building homes for our partner families with the attention to quality that all of us desire in our own homes.”
“Don and Diane have been a major part of the work of the Chattanooga Habitat family,” Palmer said. “We are grateful for their contributions, and are excited to see them receive recognition for their dedicated service. As a token of our gratitude, our next building coming up in January will be dedicated in their honor!”
Habitat for Humanity International recognized four volunteers with the 2009 national Lifetime Achievement Award. Every year thousands of volunteers serve as builders, fundraisers, advocates and more to further Habitat’s mission of eliminating poverty housing from the face of the earth.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
