Tag Archives: House Builds

A Day at Habitat – Veteran Volunteer

20 Jul

At Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, when we think dedication the name Rick Sharp comes to mind. Rick has been volunteering with HFHGCA for 23 years. Rick said he found out about Habitat through an article in the local paper talking about our first build working on the Signal Mountain house. The worked intrigued him, so he decided to become a volunteer. From that day on he was hooked.

“A hammer is a good item,” said Rick. He loves working with his hands and Habitat is a great way to do that. “It is a worthwhile experience to volunteer.” Rick volunteer one Saturday every month with First Christian Church, and he also comes on Thursdays with Rivermont Presbyterian Church. Rick said he keeps coming to volunteer after 23 years because he likes the people he works with and the fun that he has.

Rick favorite jobs to do while on the work site are putting up the walls and the trim. His least favorite part is painting the inside of the house. He would much rather have a hammer in his hands. Rick said he likes how Habitat is constantly changing the way they build to keep improving and growing.

Beside HFHGCA, one of Rick’s favorite activities is growing roses. He works on them with another Habitat volunteer Charlie and they grow about 125 roses. Another thing that Rick likes to do is build model railroads.

If you like to work with you as like Rick does, we encourage you to come by and volunteer. Contact Dawn Hjelseth (423) 756-0507 ext. 16 for more information. Or visit our website for information on our staff, how to volunteer, projects we have going on, and how to donate.

Don and Diane Barnes Receive Lifetime Achievement Award!

18 Dec

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.

NCAA House Complete!

20 Nov

A tree donated by Take Root Chattanooga stands in front of the newly completed NCAA Home Team House

Construction of a Habitat for Humanity home that began in the parking lot at Finley stadium in Chattanooga at last year’s NCAA Division I Football Championship is now complete.  The walls to the home were built by local volunteers and members of the teams in last year’s championship, then assembled on site when construction of the home began.

“Chattanooga has the honor of being home to both the first and last homes built under the Home Team partnership between Habitat for Humanity International and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCA)” said Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “From 2005 to 2008, 5,000 NCAA student-athletes, coaches, staff and other volunteers have helped build nearly 60 homes throughout the nation.  We are grateful to the NCAA, its staff and student athletes who helped make a difference for Crystal and her family.”

Having a new place to call home will mean a new start for Crystal and her children.  Fear was a constant companion during Crystal Johnson’s childhood in Avondale.   Her home was broken into on a regular basis and her parents feared for the safety of their children.  Crystal remembers going home to a house that had been broken into yet again, and her father doing his walk-through of her house to make sure it was safe enough for his family to come in.  Her house was riddled with roaches and gophers – the roach problem only exacerbated Crystal’s asthma, another reason she couldn’t stay in her own home.

The fear and poverty of her childhood drove her to become a social worker.  “I really wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives,” Crystal says. After graduating from Brainerd, Crystal pursued a degree in social work at UTC.  Her first job was working with the children at Chambliss Children’s Shelter.   She now works as a case worker at Fortwood Mental Health Center.

Crystal is determined to give her two children a home free of fear and to use homeownership to break the cycle of poverty she has endured.   Crystal’s determination led her to Habitat as a resource to reach that goal. “I’m so independent and I am ready to own a home of my own., ” Crystal says.

Construction of Crystal’s home was accomplished with countless hours of volunteer labor from individuals and groups around Chattanooga.

The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 400,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit  www.ncaa.org and  www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.

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 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

Chris Horne Memorial House Build Underway!

19 Nov

Michelle Moore, future owner of the Chris Horne Memorial was on-hand for the kick-off. With Michelle are her brother and her daughter.

Making a difference in the world, enjoying the outdoors and teaching children about nature were important to Chris Horne.   This  morning, his family and friends came together to kickoff construction of a Habitat for Humanity home in his memory for Michelle Moore and her children.

Chris was born in Durham, N.C., but moved around a lot, growing up mostly in northern Virginia. He graduated from William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., with a degree in biology. He taught in Alexandria, Va., from 1995-1997, before moving to Jackson Hole, Wyo., to enroll in a one-year master’s program teaching field-based education methods.

He met Mandy Hullander, only daughter of Bill and Linda Hullander, of Chattanooga, TN, while at Jackson Hole.  Chris stayed in Jackson Hole for seven years, before briefly returning to graduate school at Antioch New England Graduate School in New Hampshire, where he earned his master’s degree in conservation biology.

In 2007 Chris accepted a position as principal of the Summit Charter School in Cashiers, North Carolina.  Mandy and Chris were married in June 2007.  While on a trip to Baja in November 2007, Chris and Mandy were involved in a car crash, which claimed his life.

“I approached Habitat with this idea to not only honor my late brother-in-law but to help a family in need and give our employees a chance to participate and give back as well.,” says Matt Hullander.  “Chris would be proud and is for sure missed. “

Thanks to the support of Alside Incorporated , Associated Roofing & Insulation, C.B. Electric, Drain Right Guttering, Elegant Accents, Excel Contracting, Howard Outdoors, Hullco Exteriors, J.B. Millworks, James Wilson Crane Company, Key’s Carpet Center, Lansing Building Products, Mike Bible Carpet, Shane Foley, Scott Orr, Sun Windows, Sunrise Windows , Ted Fugunt Heat & Air , Wally’s Restaurant and many others,  construct is poised to begin on a simple , decent, and affordable home for Michelle Moore and her two children over the next several months.

Bill Hullander, right, workers from Hullco Exteriors, and Hafitat constrution staff lay out walls for the home.

“It amazes me to think that people are going to take time out of their busy lives to help build my house,” say Michelle.  “I never knew people like that before Habitat.”  Michelle has struggled with insect infestations and landlords who would not fix problems in the unit she could barely afford.  Her children lacked a safe and decent place to play.  “After my car was broken into for the second time, I knew I had to find a better home for my family.”

Habitat has provided Michelle with much more than just an opportunity to receive a home-the required homeowner

Workers from Hullco Exteriors steady the first wall of the Chris Horne Memorial house about one hour after the start of construction this morning.

education classes have taught her valuable life lessons.  “Like most people, I was spending money unwisely.  The money management classes have taught me so much.”

Michelle is working hard to complete the 300 sweat equity hours that are required before she can close and move into her new home.   “Working full time and being a single mom makes putting in hours difficult, but I know it is well worth the hard work.  My daughters constantly talk about their new home.  They want everything to be pink.”

More than providing a home for her daughters, Michelle will also be able to help her mom care for three of her nieces for whom she has custody.  “My mom is a recent survivor of lung cancer.  I can’t wait to have a place where they can all come relax and be happy.”

First Baptist Build Honors Carroll and Mildred Fox

16 Oct
Mildred and Carroll Fox

Mildred and Carroll Fox

As members of First Baptist Church gather on Bill Reed Road in Ooltewah to start a Habitat build this weekend, Carroll and Mildred Fox will be in their thoughts.

During the formative years of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, Carroll was actively involved building homes alongside fellow members of First Baptist Church, and in providing leadership for Habitat’s efforts through serving on the board of directors, and for a term as president of the organization.  Carroll continued to volunteer despite health challenges and the death of his wife, Mildred.  Though illness put him on the sidelines several years ago, he kept in touch with Habitat’s progress through friends and fellow volunteers until his death earlier this year.

“Carroll was a dedicated supporter of Habitat’s work,” 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 for Habitat’s continued work in Chattanooga.   I’m sure that both he and Mildred would be delighted to have their name associated with the construction of a home for a young couple who have struggled with housing.”

Construction of the home for Zachary and Christy Hullender and their two children will start October 17, and continue for the next 16 weeks, not counting the upcoming holidays.  The project will make a tremendous difference in this young family’s life.

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 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 Hullander family, and honor the memory of two people who have  made a tremendous difference in our community through their service.”

Introducing Carey Glass & Family!

25 Sep

Glass Family“To tell you why I’m so happy and grateful for Habitat, you have to know where my family and I have been for many years.”  For the last twelve years Carey Glass and her three children have lived in turmoil, never being totally sure from one day to the next if they would have a place to call home.  It was during this tumultuous time in Carey’s life that her husband, while under the influence of alcohol, would verbally and physically abuse Carey and her children, oftentimes kicking them out of ‘his house.’ “I knew I had to take the next step and move out for good.  I wanted my children to have a sense of security.  I wanted to provide a good home for them.”

After finding a place to rent, Carey decided to give Habitat for Humanity a call.  Carey filled out an application, gathered all of the necessary paperwork and met with Connie O’Neal, Director of Family Services.  What a glorious day when Carey received notice that she and her family were accepted into the program at Habitat for Humanity!

Carey’s current living conditions are less than desirable.  With only makeshift heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer, winters are very cold and summers are very hot.  Moreover, Carey’s neighbors do not appreciate her musically talented and expressive children.  Their creativity is regularly stifled by the neighbors’ banging on the walls of their duplex.

A Habitat home means much more to Carey than just a place to call home.  “No one will be kicking us out ever again!”  Carey will be able to experience the safety and security a home should provide and her children will have the opportunity to not only pursue their musical talents but to also have a quiet place to study, free from the stress and worries they once knew.  With a Habitat home they will be able to enjoy the carefree life of just being a kid!

“An organization like Habitat has to stay around.  I always wanted to be that someone who could give money to help others less fortunate, but now I realize I can help others like me get a home of their own through becoming a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.

Thanks to the support of McCallie and GPS students, alumni and faculty, construction of the Glass family’s home is now underway!

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