Since October 2009, members of First Baptist Church (Chattanooga) have been at work on a Habitat for Humanity Home for Zachary and Christy Hullender and their children in memory of the late Carroll and Mildred Fox. Their work is now complete – the home was dedicated February 20.
Lawson Fox and Shauna (Fox) Oden, with Christy and Zach Hullender at the house dedication.
“Carroll Fox was a dedicated supporter of Habitat’s work in Chattanooga during its formative years,” says Pete Palmer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area. “His work on the jobsite and in building the organization laid a strong foundation that has helped touch the lives of hundreds of families. I’m sure that both he and Mildred would be delighted to see the home and meet the young couple who have been blessed by their generosity.”
Ben Gross with First Baptist Church passes the keys to their new home to Christy Hullender as her husband Zach and child look on.
Prior to the start of their new Habitat home, the Hullenders lived in a rundown trailer with serious mold problems, and unsafe aluminum wiring that would catch fire. Their daughter was often burned by the space heaters the family had to use in the winter time. All four of them were forced to sleep in one room because of a hole in the ceiling of the only other bedroom, and the only toilet in the trailer was falling through the floor.
The Hullenders have always wanted to have something better for their
Volunteers and guests visit prior to the dedication of the home which stands on the spot where the Hullender's trailer once stood.
children, but felt like they had no hope being so young and with the economy in turmoil. After hearing about Habitat for Humanity from Zachary’s mother, they applied to be a partner family and found hope that they would soon have a home of their own.
“My children are still very small, but I know they are going to love having a new home, to have a room all their own, a place big enough for them to play,” Christy says. The family is excited to have their dream coming true, and wants others to also feel the joy of their own dreams being fulfilled. Christy plans to volunteer to help build another family’s home, so that she can make a difference in someone else’s life in the same way Habitat has done for her and her family.
“We are grateful for the support of First Baptist church in building this home in memory of the Foxes,” says Palmer. “It is a privilege to work with them to bless the Hullender family, and honor the memory of two people who touched so many through their support of Habitat here over the years.”
