Transform Chattanooga

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.”