Posted August 8, 2023 By ALLEN MINCEY
A SIZABLE CROWD attended the dedication of this new home for Alvin and Zandra Jackson, which sits on the same lot as the home they previously lived in.
A strong, new home stands on the land where Zandra Jackson grew up, replacing the house where she and her husband, Alvin, lived until a year ago.
The two were showered with love and prayers Saturday morning as their home on Lang Street was dedicated in a special ceremony attended by many who were responsible for the Jacksons having a new residence.
A NEW HOME and a new address for Alvin and Zandra Jackson as their Pugh Street home now faces Lang Street. Their new home was dedicated Saturday morning.
“I can’t believe we are here,” Alvin Jackson said. “We lived here in our house, but it had problems. They said it couldn’t be repaired, but said we might get a new house — and look at what we have now.”
“I learned there was a Vietnam veteran who needed help with their house,” Orr said. “I came over and saw that there was no way [to repair the home], though the garage was solid and could be saved. So, the first thing I did was call Operation Finally Home.
“It is a great organization that we’ve worked with before on another project, and they gave us a $20,000 grant to get started,” he continued. “From there, I reached out to [local builder] Charles Blankinship, who is part of the local homeowners association, and then started reaching out within the community, and for the next eight to nine months, we began working on this without telling [the Jacksons].”
Then, almost one year ago to the day of the dedication — on Aug. 4, 2022 — the Jacksons were brought over to the Tribe of Judah Ministries on Chippewa Avenue, where they attend, to learn that they were going to receive the new home. As emotional as they were that day, the couple was just as emotional on Saturday.
ZANDRA JACKSON thanks all who helped with their new home as her husband, Alvin, wipes away tears of joy.
“He cries a lot,” Zandra said of her husband, while also holding back tears of joy when she thanked all in attendance at the dedication.
The past year has been quite a journey for the Jacksons leading up to Saturday’s dedication. As their old home was taken down, they had to find new accommodations, first living with their granddaughter, then their daughter, then a hotel, then back to their daughter. All of this was occurring while Zandra was dealing with lung cancer, and taking chemotherapy and radiation treatments which still continue.
Through all of that, the Jacksons knew one day they would be in their new home. In fact, Zandra said they would come over to the new home while under construction almost every day, though she would often sit in the car while Alvin would meet with those working there.
The finished product was unveiled Saturday, and many who were involved in the project expressed their pleasure at seeing the Jacksons in their new home.
THE JACKSONS' NEW HOME was dedicated Saturday, with a special ribbon cutting on the front porch. Several organizations that helped with the construction were present at the dedication.
“At Operation Finally Home we provide mortgage free homes and home modifications to wounded, ill and injured veterans, and first responders, and their families, and we do this by bringing together the community,” said Mollie Halliday of Operation Finally Home. “What a beautiful message today about this community and about the importance of the community and that is just so special.”
Among those who helped in the project who were present Saturday were representatives from Lowe’s, from Men and Women of Action, and from Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.
“We build houses, but first and foremost, we're administering basically around the teachings of Jesus Christ,” said David Cowan, Habitat construction director. “Because of that, I went and asked my boss, ‘Do you mind if we take our resources and our construction guys over there?’ It was cold that first day, but we were here, and it’s a blessing to be part of the blessing here.”
Michael Blankinship, representing his father, said his dad is a veteran, and thanked all who had a part in the project, while Charlotte Peak, representing the Ocoee Region Builders Association, also wanted to thank those veterans who supported the project, as well as the community.
MEMBERS OF THE CLEVELAND FIRE DEPARTMENT, along with state Rep. Dan Howell, welcomed Alvin and Zandra Jackson into their new home Saturday.
“It was a group effort and a community effort and what people have said already is true — we live in the greatest neighborhoods, the greatest county and the greatest city in America, Tennessee and Bradley County,” Peak said, adding that probably every builder in the area had someone working on the project at some point.
Everyone stressed the community made the Jacksons’ new home a reality. Orr said that is what he is most proud of.
“One of the biggest reasons why I enjoy doing something like this is I want to build new relationships,” Orr said. “That is the greatest thing, watching this community come together. Thank you.”
The dedication began with prayer from Kelvin Page, pastor at Westmore Church of God, which had a special offering for the Jacksons as their home was being built, and closed with prayer from Pastor Fitzgerald McCastle from Tribe of Judah Ministries.
