Tag Archives: Sumner McCallie

2nd Annual Sustainable Giving Sustainable Living Dinner Garners $45,000 in Support of Habitat’s Work

28 Apr

More than 300 friends of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga recently gathered last Thursday night at the Mill on the Southside for the 2nd Annual Sustainable Giving Sustainable Living Dinner and raised $ 45,000 in support of Habitat’s homeownership program.

McCallie Guitar Ensemble provided dinner music.

Guests enjoyed music by the McCallie Guitar Ensemble and a dinner catered by Sodexho Dining Services.  Long-time volunteer Diane Barnes, who along with her husband Don was honored last year with a life-time achievement award from Habitat for Humanity International set the tone for the evening by sharing her passion for investing in people’s lives through homebuilding.

A scroll representing how many homes Don and Diane Barnes have helped build was unrolled as their service was recognized.

An auction then followed with board members, homeowners and staff sharing different facets of Habitat’s work and its impact.  Erika Pope whose home is currently under construction brought home the emotion of longing for homeownership, when she talked of her son’s life-long dream of having his own room and a family dog.  His dream will soon come true thanks to her Habitat home which is currently under construction.

Habitat homewner (right) Erika Pope, her son and other guests enjoyed dinner catered by Sodexho Dining Services.

As each auction level was reached, details were added to a digital representation of a house on a screen, thanks to graphics generously created by Artech.  DV Communications support through audio and visual equipment greatly enhanced the evening.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Wilkinson Group, all our event expenses were covered, so that 100% of the funds raised at the dinner, go to support Habitat’s work,” said Sumner McCallie, president of Habitat’s board.  “We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support Habitat’s work in this community.  Thanks to them Habitat will be able to change the lives of more families and ultimately our community.”

Diane Barnes spoke eloquently regarding the importance of building relationships when partnering with families in need of homes.

The lead sponsor for the event was the Wilkinson Companies – Pinnacle Condominiums.  Other sponsors included:  A& A Outdoor Maintenance, ABC Supply, Charlie Belcher, Dave and Erin Labelle Photography, DV Communications, Hayward Bolt and Supply, Ramsey Dethero, Sumner McCallie, and Thompson Rogers and Williams, PLLC.   Twenty five other individuals, organizations and businesses hosted tables.


From A Freezing Apartment to a New Home In St. Elmo

19 Mar

This winter was a tough one for Carey Glass.  She faced a hard choice when school was out– go to work and worry about the danger of the space heater running full blast to warm the one room where she and her three children could stay barely warm, or stay home with them, but not get paid.

Sumner McCallie, McCallie Habitat Chapter advisor(left) passes the house key to Carey Glass (right), as Pete Palmer, Habitat's Executive Director (rear) looks on.

For the last twelve years Carey and her children James, Kandida, and Sebastian 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.”

The family found a place to stay, but makeshift heat and air conditioning have made winters very cold and summers 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.

But winter has passed!  On March 21, 2010, Carey and her children, along with the McCallie School, GPS and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga celebrated completion of the Glass family’s new home in St. Elmo. (A neighborhood in Chattanooga, TN at the foot of Lookout Mountain).

Carey Class and Family

Spring couldn’t be a better time for this home to be dedicated,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “After 12 years of challenges, Carey and her children will have a home of their own where they can live and grow without fear.  Their strength through adversity bodes well for the future.  We are proud to have been a part of their journey to homeownership, and wish them all the best as they begin a new chapter in their life, thanks to the financial and volunteer support of McCallie and GPS.”

The Caldwell Family Foundation provided significant funding to make this house possible as did the national offices of State Farm, Inc. Metro Services, Inc, and Coca Cola also supported the build as well.

“Carey Glass and her family provided such an education for us in how to approach life. Their positive spirit, their courage, their obvious strong sense of familial love spoke volumes in how to be resilient in the face of challenging odds,” said Sumner McCallie, McCallie Campus Chapter advisor and president of Habitat’s board.  “It is funny.  We volunteers go into the program thinking we are making a real difference for someone else and we end up getting back far more than we give. “

The Habitat staff could not have been more patient, supportive, and engaging for our guys and girls. Not only did they teach how to erect a stable wall or how to install plank siding, but they showed how to live lives of service and to do so with every ounce of one’s heart and soul.  That is invaluable teaching,” McCallie said.

“

2009 McCallie GPS House Under Construction

We are extremely proud of the home we have built for this family,” says Dennis Neal, LEED AP, Director of Construction for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “This home is the first Habitat home to be located in the St. Elmo Historic District.  “We appreciate Jenny Shugart and all others who worked with us in regard to helping this home fit the design standards for the neighborhood,” says Neal.  “Besides fitting well with the neighborhood, this home will keep the family comfortable, and help them enjoy lower energy bills.”

Her Habitat house means much so more to Carey than just a place to call home.  “No one will be kicking us out ever again,” she says. “With a Habitat home my kids will be able to enjoy the carefree life of just being kids!”  They will also be able to pursue their musical talents and studies free from the stress and worries they once knew.

The Glass Family's new home is the first Habitat home in Chattanooga in a Historic District.

“Over the years Carey helped care for my children through her work in day care,” says John Lamb, Director of Development with Habitat.  “I had no idea of her challenges.  It has been a blessing to see students and staff from McCallie and GPS, community volunteers, and Habitat staff rally around a person whose compassion and care touched my children and family daily for several years.  Her story is great example of what can happen when we come together as partners to make a difference in the life of a family, and in our community!”

Barnes Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

9 Mar

Friends, Habitat homeowners, board members and staff gathered recently at the McCallie School to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Don and Diane Barnes to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s home building program.  The Barnes have worked as full-time volunteer construction site supervisors for more than 14 years!

Don Barnes (left) and Diane Barnes (middle) receive the 2009 HFHI Life Time Achievement Award Plaque from Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.

After heavy hors d’œuvres Sumner McCallie, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga introduced several people who spoke about how Don and Diane’s service has impacted their lives.    A plaque from Habitat for Humanity International was presented to the couple in recognition of their selection as winners of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their work in making affordable housing available for those who need it.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a scroll containing the names of the 144 partner families and the funding partners the Barnes have worked with.  As the scroll was unrolled, it eventually encircled the entire room, dramatically capturing the impact that two individuals can have through service.

Sumner McCallie, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga begins unrolling a scroll with the names of the 218 families whose homes Don Barnes (center) and Diane Barnes (right) have helped build over the years.

“The Barnes have invested their time in building homes for families, and in helping thousands of volunteers see Habitat’s work, not just as an exercise in building a house, but in creating a home and a future for a family,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “Don and Diane are people of strong faith and conviction – they build as if they are building unto God – they set a high standard – we are truly blessed to have them as partners in our work.”

Habitat board members, staff, homeowners and friends of Diane and Don Barnes help hold up a scroll with the names of the 144 families whose homes they have helped build.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 670 other followers