Posted Saturday, August 1, 2020 10:29 pm

By TIM SINIARD

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee were in Cleveland Friday, along with dozens of volunteers, to help construct a Habitat for Humanity home for a family of five, who have been living in one room for seven years.

Local elected officials and community leaders were also on hand to participate in Habitat’s Leader’s Day build event.

Many of the volunteers at the site were part of Tennessee Serves, the First Lady’s program to encourage volunteerism across the state.

“As a Habitat volunteer you know you've been a part, even if it's just a small part, of not only building a home, but a new life for someone,” the First Lady said. “The impact of Habitat on its homeowners and families goes far beyond the home that's built. It leaves lives forever transformed.”

The event took place on 1236 Franitza Way in Victory Cove subdivision.

Kelley Mulcahy, who along with her husband, Kyle, will be new homeowners this year, have been putting in hours of sweat equity in order to build a home that will be a safe and affordable place for their family.

“Not only will this be my home, my sweet home, but it will have more sentimental value than monetary, because my hands have taken part in building it from the foundation up,” she said. “Kyle and I live in a single bedroom with our three girls, and I’m appreciative of his sweet parents for letting us live there.”

Mulcahy said she was excited her children will have a backyard where they can play.

Local elected officials such as state Sen. Mike Bell and state Rep. Mark Hall attended the event.

In addition, in what was his first public appearance since recovering from COVID-19, Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks was in attendance with his wife, Kim.

Tammy Johnson, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, said, “We’re coming together for one reason, and that's to build homes communities and hope.”

“This is actually an unprecedented moment where everyone of us has been forced to deeply consider the fundamental importance of having safe, decent and affordable shelter,” she said.

Coleen Dudley, Habitat’s state executive director, said the local organization is one of the standout affiliates in the state.

“And that's your leadership," she said. "The leadership of your board and congratulations for all you do.”

She said Habitat is much more than an organization that builds houses.

“We're empowering families,” she said. “We’re building with them and we’re enabling them, showing them a means to become homeowners and as homeowners, they become taxpayers. They have equity in their home, they build an asset ... they're building wealth.”

Gov. Lee said he has long believed that government is not the answer to the greatest challenges, stating that organizations such as Habitat transform the lives of people in communities.

He lauded the volunteers who had gathered at the site to help the Mulcahy family.

“We're in the middle of a pandemic and economic crisis,” he said. “We've had natural disasters that blew right through this county. We've had months of very unsettling times that can cause people to have fear and anxiety and look around with trepidation, but I've always believed one of the solutions to fear and trepidation and worry is to go out and serve somebody else.."

The governor added, "And that's what's happening right here and when that happens, hope goes into our heart. There's hope for this family that's going to be living here.”