Tammy Johnson: 'When you hear the 'C-word' it is hard to process'

Posted Thursday, May 9, 2019 5:00 pm

By GWEN SWIGER

“I was married in September 2008 to Michael Johnson,” Tammy Johnson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, noted.

“The next April, I went for my yearly checkup. I had my first ever negative results. I got a call from my doctor. She said to come in, we have a problem,” Johnson said.

Johnson went in for more evasive procedures. When the results came in, the doctor again contacted her.

“So, I took my husband with me. It can’t be good or they would not be calling me back again,” she said.

The doctor explained there was an abnormal result. She wanted to do a biopsy.

“Within the next couple of weeks, I had a biopsy on my cervix. I found out I had something called adenocarcinoma, which is a very aggressive form of cancer that hides in the intestines and spreads,” she said.

When she went back to the doctor’s office, she was asked “how do you feel about having children?”
Johnson told the doctor, “the fact you are asking me that question makes me think it is not good.”

The doctor said it was not. The doctor had gotten a second and third opinion from doctor colleagues, who told her the growth needed to come out immediately.

“When you hear the ‘C’ word, it is hard to process,” Johnson said.  However, she had a decision to make.

“I had a friend who was a chemo nurse in Knoxville. I called her and asked her to look at the results,” Johnson said. “She had two doctors she worked with look at them.”

They concurred with Johnson’s doctor and friends — it needed to come out immediately.

"I had gone from a biopsy to having to have a hysterectomy within six weeks. We had been married less than a year. We are faced with having cancer and we won’t be able to have children. It was not until a year later, that I learned how dangerous it (the cancer) was,” Johnson said.

Fortunately, the cervical cancer was found early and removed. Johnson has not had to have chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

“For me, I feel like I was blessed. I could have been pregnant with cancer. I could have had a baby and died with cancer and left my husband with a new baby.

“Cancer is one of the worst diagnosis you can get. It is hard and you immediately think you are going to die from it, but I found out I had cancer and could not have children,” Johnson said.

“Thankfully we caught it (the cancer) early. The interesting part of my stories is when I was born, I was a breach baby. My hips were dislocated,” she said.

It was her mother who realized something was wrong with her hips. She was put into traction, but it did not work.

“I ended up having eight different body casts. I had to wear braces. Nothing made my hips heal.

"At about a year and half, my parent took me to an old-fashioned tent revival and I was healed,” she said.

Even though her hips are fine now, Johnson had wondered if she would be able to deliver a baby. As labor progressives, the hips realign to let the baby emerge.

“God really knows what is best for us,” she said. “We look for blessings in the middle of sorrow.

“There are so many blessings.   We look around to see who we can help. We love on our nieces and nephews. We have time and money we can focus on others.

“I am being healthy. I am able to do this work for Habitat. We give love and are super passionate about the people around us,” Johnson said.

Habitat overcomes donation obstacles

Posted Saturday, May 4, 2019 9:30 pm

By COLBY DENTON

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, in its mission to bring affordable housing to our community, was recently gifted a large amount of items, which it is now able to sell through its ReStore.

The donated item was a massive quantity of backer board and tiles given by the disaster relief organization Operation Compassion.

Contractors use backer board as a foundation for ceramic tile. Unlike wood-based materials like plywood or products that contain wood, backer board lacks the organic matter that will promote rot, mold, shrink  or decomposition. Since backer board is porous, grout, mortar and thinset adhere well to it.

With all these construction benefits, the ReStore being able to sell the backer board would offer a cheaper alternative for local contractors. The issue, however, was the sheer number of pallets of the product, which each weigh a significant amount, and their necessary storage.

There were 170 pallets of backer board and 150 pallets of tile.

“Obviously, since we’re a donation-driven organization, we’re happy to take all donations,” stated Dave Williams, ReStore manager. “The issue with this is  we just don’t have room for all these pallets at our ReStore.”

While it may not have the space, Habitat certainly has connections through its staff and board of directors, and shortly after hearing of the issue, Habitat financial director Rick Smith reached out to  Lynn Jones, who owns several warehouses in the area. Despite the growing economy and resulting lack of warehouse space due to increased usage, Jones was kind enough to donate 5,000-6,000 square feet for Habitat to use to store the backer board and tiles.

After nailing down a storage location, Williams said they breathed a sigh of relief, until  they realized the next challenge would be figuring out how to move hundreds of heavy pallets.

Seeking someone with a tractor trailer they could borrow, Habitat also reached out to Bailey Co. Inc, which supplies forklifts, to load the pallets onto the still-needed truck. The company generously gave Habitat half off its normal rate, and even delivered the forklift for free.

Habitat receiving manager Tommy Stovall was tasked to move the pallets on Wednesday and Thursday, so getting a truck was the store’s top priority.

Meta McGuire, Habitat donor engagement manager, knew a former coworker named A.J., who used to be a truck driver and knew of a trucking company called Direct Transportation that might be able to help them.

Sure enough, Paul Bowen with Direct Transportation contacted her and said he could spare a truck on Wednesday at 9 a.m.

A Direct Transportation trucker named Trapper and his wife showed up Wednesday morning and transported three full loads of pallets to the warehouse for Habitat. He stated he was happy to help and called it his “tithe.”

Following three hours of work on Trapper’s part, Williams received a call from Randall Bailey with Operation Compassion. Bailey told him he had several volunteers ready to load up a tractor trailer they’d acquired to transport even more of the pallets for Habitat.

“So because of this, we had three full tractor trailers going back to back to back all day on Wednesday,” Williams happily stated.

He added how this occasion goes to show how much can be done when a small team — like at Habitat — puts their heads together.

“It’s amazing the amount of generosity we’ve seen during this time,” Williams added. “Lynn Jones is sacrificing income to give us a space to store this. Operation Compassion donated it all in the first place, and Trapper and his wife donated their time to come help us move it all along with Operation Compassion.”

The backer board and tiles will be highly useful for contractors. At $5 per sheet, it’s also being sold much cheaper than standard pricing around $10-12 per sheet. The ReStore has quarter-inch and half-inch sheets, and has already attracted the attention of the Ocoee Region Builders Association.

ORBA member Dennis Epperson posted photos of himself purchasing the backer board on Facebook, thus spreading awareness further.

Williams said the backer board is going to be a significantly helpful resource for ORBA especially.

If all pallets sell, Habitat stands to make approximately $75,000. The pallets are one of various construction-related items the ReStore sells, others being flooring, cabinets, furniture and now even paint. Of these items, most are donated, so supplies are limited; however, Habitat has the budget to purchase three items, including laminate flooring, paint and paint supplies.

Due to the growing size of the ReStore, Williams and the Habitat team are in need of more volunteers. Everyone is encouraged to come out, introduce yourself and volunteer your time to help make Cleveland even greater.

For more information, go to www.habitatofcleveland.org.

Habitat is located at 300 Grove Avenue and may be reached at 423-473-4610. 

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Chamber Graduates 17th Youth Leadership Class

Youth Leadership Class of 2018-19 graduates

Twenty-three "promising future leaders" representing Bradley Central, Cleveland and Walker Valley high schools and Tennessee Christian Preparatory School graduated from the 17th Youth Leadership class of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.

During ceremonies held at Peerless Road Church, members of the Youth Leadership Class of 2018-19 recounted their nine-month program. Morgan Warner (BCHS), Jack Duncan (CHS), Hannah Hawkins (WVHS) and Mason Taylor (TCPS) talked about the year’s emphasis on city, county and state government, community services, infrastructure, healthcare and manufacturing, along with reflections about the value of relationship, team-building opportunities and how the program impacted them. 

Also part of the graduation ceremonies was an inspirational challenge by David Hicks, partner with Hudson Cook LLP.  Mr. Hicks encouraged the young leaders to ponder and reflect on “What Breaks Your Heart?” 

During the nine-month program, the students were also involved in service projects, raising more than $1,400 for the Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland construction fund and investing “sweat equity” by installing vinyl siding for a Habitat home and working in the ReStore. The students also donated nonperishable food items to the Caring Place. 

Sherry Crye, director of workforce development for the Chamber, coordinates the Youth Leadership program. Ms. Crye describes the class of 2018-19 as “an outstanding group of young men and women that I am confident will be successful in the future and are the promising future leaders of our community, our state and our country.” Ms. Crye also added, “You aren’t born a leader, you must become one.”

Members of the 2018-19 Youth Leadership class from Bradley Central High School are Gabrielle Bennett, Brynna Frakes, Hannah Lombard, Courtney Roberts, Shelby Satterfield, Kierstyn Viola, Anna Walker,  Jackson Walker and Morgan Warner.

Representing Cleveland High School in the 2018-19 class are Kathleen Alcock, Noah Allen-Darden, Jaelyn Blackwell, Asa Blake, Emma Brannen, Jimmy Collins, T. J. DeLuca and Jack Duncan. 

Walker Valley High School students graduating from the 2018-19 Youth Leadership class are Mikayla Beasley, Hannah Hawkins, John Klepzig, Karmen Sanders and Lucy Trew.

Tennessee Christian Preparatory School 2018-19 Youth Leadership graduate is Mason Taylor.

Cleveland/Bradley Youth Leadership is a workforce development initiative of the Chamber of Commerce.

Walker Valley forms Habitat for Humanity student chapter

Posted Saturday, April 13, 2019 9:36 pm

By COLBY DENTON

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland makes a significant impact on "The City with Spirit," but what many don’t realize is that there is also a younger segment of Habitat workers at Walker Valley High School just waiting to get started on the job site.

Overseen by Walker Valley social studies teacher Josh Justice, the organization was formed in 2017 in an effort to bring students into the fold of community service.

“I wanted to give the students at Walker Valley the opportunity to serve our community and see the need for affordable housing,” Justice said. “There is a housing need in our community, and I wanted to provide students with an evenue to get engaged in a service that seeks to assist those who are in need. This club also allows students to see and meet those wonderful families who will receive a Habitat home.”

Students work at the Habitat ReStore on the second Saturday of each month, and not only work in the retail portion, but perform whatever work is needed that day. Approximately five work these days, but more have volunteered for large projects such as home dedications, where they help serve food.

“These kids do a lot of advocating around the community,” stated Habitat volunteer services manager LaManda Bowers. “They’ll also set up booths at Walker Valley to tell other students about what they do.”

The female students and teachers are going to be helping with Habitat’s Women’s Build project this year after securing a sponsorship of $500.

Bowers describes the teamwork these youth are displaying as amazing, and says they’re actually setting a standard for volunteering for even adults to live up to.

She explained how a campus chapter is a group of students who are passionate about helping people build better lives for themselves, and are ready to take the next step to lad the charge at their school to help fulfill Habitat’s mission.

A Habitat campus chapter is student-led and student initiated, and strives to fulfill four functions including: direct service, fundraising, advocating and educating.

“These kids are coming out and saying, ‘Hey, we want to make a difference. We want to help with affordable housing,’ and it’s very inspiring to see,” Bowers said.

Justice agreed, and said, “The students have blown me away with their enthusiasm, hard work and dedication to Habitat. Each one who has volunteered has done so with the big picture of helping others and being an advocate for affordable housing. They are selflessly donating their time and effort to assist those in need.”

Since starting in 2017, the students have served at various events and job sites, and Bowers attributes the Walker Valley group’s success to their faculty advisor, Josh Justice.

“Josh had a passion for affordable housing, and he came to us and told us how he’d heard about the campus chapter with Habitat International, and told us he wanted to offer his students the same opportunities,” Bowers added.

The youngest age that can volunteer at the ReStore is 14, so members of a campus chapter must be at least that old to serve.

Bowers, who oversees the volunteer department of Habitat, helps student chapters find volunteer opportunities and serves as a point of contact for the chapters.

She added how she feels the Walker Valley chapter has “set the bar” for volunteer organizations and clubs around Cleveland. She would like for other schools to step out and follow Walker Valley’s lead, as there are many ways to make a difference.

The Walker Valley Habitat campus chapter meets once per month. If interested in joining the organization or starting your own, contact Justice at Walker Valley. You will fill out an application for membership through Habitat International. For more information, contact Bowers at lbowers@habitatofcleveland.org. 

Habitat of Cleveland to share in THDA grant

Posted Saturday, April 6, 2019, 9:52 pm

Special to the Banner

Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee is directing $15,500 in grant funding to Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, to build one new home in the Cleveland and Bradley County community.

The funding comes as part of a $500,000 grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland and its sister organizations throughout the state will apply the grant toward the construction of 30 new homes for low-income families.

"We are extremely grateful for THDA's partnership and support,” said Colleen Dudley, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee. “This THDA grant provides us with a solid foundation to spur our larger fundraising efforts, which will reach $3 million from individuals, churches, foundations and businesses to complete these builds.”

Local Habitat chapters may apply for $15,500 per build in THDA funding from the grant. When construction is complete in June 2019, more than 100 adults and children will be living in high-quality, energy-efficient homes built in part from this funding.

“We share Habitat’s mission and its passion for creating new homeownership opportunities to Tennessee families, so it’s a very natural partnership,” said THDA executive director Ralph M. Perrey. “We’re always confident that Habitat is going to put our funding to good use. I’m sure more than a few THDA staffers will be among the volunteers at build sites across the state.”

In addition to supporting Habitat for Humanity with grant funding, THDA also provides zero-interest home loans to qualified Habitat homeowners. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage that, in turn, helps fund future Habitat builds.

Habitat for Humanity is propelled by a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity began in Tennessee in 1978 when Appalachia Habitat was created serving Scott and Morgan counties. The Christian housing organization has grown over the past 40 years to include 45 affiliates that serve 62 counties. Tennessee is ranked the fourth largest builder of Habitat for Humanity homes in the country. 

Funding for the $500,000 THDA grant came from the Tennessee Housing Trust Fund which receives no state tax dollars, but is instead funded by revenue from THDA’s mortgage loan program. Since 2006, THDA has provided more than $75 million in THTF grants. 

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 www.HabitatTN.org

www.THDA.org

A shovel of dirt, and a dream in the making

Posted Saturday, April 6, 2019 9:00 pm

Whether it’s the first shovel of dirt during a groundbreaking, the inaugural nail driven during an opening day of construction or the snip of a brightly colored ribbon at the close of a dedication, there’s always something extraordinary about a Habitat for Humanity observance.

Always.

Conditions don’t matter: rain, sun, hot, cold or the nip of a frosty October morn, it’s a sight to behold for all … from volunteers to organizational staff to program advocates – and especially to recipient families who give “sweat equity” and a personal commitment to homeownership. Truly, it’s an emotional turn in the lives of all whose hands have touched this heartfelt moment.

For program staff, it is the continuation of a personal mission, one that whispers “… I am my brother’s keeper,” and for this reason they choose to work for a nonprofit whose efforts sometimes go unnoticed but whose impact is forever seen.

For donors, it is the knowledge that dollars contributed don’t disappear into the unknown with never another word to be heard; on the contrary, these gifts swell hearts by building hope.

For volunteers, it is the chance to make a difference in the lives of others … strangers on day one, best friends at project’s close; theirs is the sweat, the drive and the fatigue of working in the sun, theirs is the compassion of mentoring others whose lives are not so different from their own, theirs is a need to do good, to be good and to feel good in the doing.

For recipient families, it is the hand up for which many pray; it is not the handout that lends to a thirst for more, but an opportunity that should be afforded to any man or any woman or any family, with child or without, of any color and all cultures who are willing to work to help themselves while accepting the responsibilities of their decision.

This is the world of Habitat for Humanity. These are the people who give it voice. Theirs are the knowing smiles, the perspiring brows and the tired sighs that give it face.

As most know, Habitat for Humanity is an international initiative, one that erects houses and builds cities in all pockets of the globe. It is also a national front, one given life by community affiliates from Bangor, Maine, to Brownsville, Texas, from Spokane, Wash., to Miami, Fla. Its outreach is immense. Its vision spans coast to coast.

Closer to home, we have a league of miracle workers in our midst. Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland has been bringing the American Dream to local families since 1990 … nail by nail, board by board, shingle to shingle, time-scarred paint brush to drip-stained bucket, shovel to landscaped earth, and heart to heart.

By the close of 2019, Habitat for Humanity volunteers spanning 29 years will have built 136 homes in the Cleveland and Bradley County community.

Habitat volunteers recently broke ground on three new houses in the Victory Grove subdivision. Groundbreaking will be held later for a fourth in the South Gate Hills subdivision.

One of the strengths in the fabric of Victory Grove and South Gate Hills is their commonality. Both are exclusive Habitat for Humanity neighborhoods.

They are not alone. Habitat also boasts its own communities in Fitzgerald Village, Sain Village and Century Village.

There is wisdom in building Habitat homes on the same soil. Their families get to share a sense of pride, one that breathes success, embraces a celebration of life and resonates a pledge … to themselves, to each other, to their hometown.

Collectively, the four homes being built this year include:

• Women Build, whose title sponsor is Easy Auto, will feature the work of 200 women, divided into teams of 10;

• Legacy Build, sponsored by the George R. Johnson Foundation;

• Leaders Build, comprised of a large collection of local celebrities and community leaders; and

• Heroes Build, which engages the work and sponsorships of veterans, active-duty military and emergency responders.

The homeowners are everyday people who love, laugh and cry: Dale, Nataziona, Erica, Tatyana, Victor, Ethan and Brenda. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity, they are building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter, and they’re doing it right here in our hometown community.

Want to get involved? We knew you would. Call 423-473-4610. 

Habitat for Humanity is located at 300 Grove Ave. Cleveland natives might recognize the site as the former Cinema Twin theater. Even after all these years, the old building still stirs the imagination and cultivates dreams for all.

But not just any dreams … American Dreams.

Knights of Columbus donate to charities

Posted Saturday, March 30, 2019 9:30 pm

During a recent meeting, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 4572 of Cleveland presented several donations to nonprofit groups in Cleveland. 
The Knights of Columbus is a nonprofit Catholic men’s organization dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. They conduct several fundraisers during the year, including the Labor Day and Super Bowl Barbecue roast sales, the annual golf tournament in May and valet parking during the year. All the proceeds are donated to charitable organizations.

Among those receiving donations were:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Ocoee Region, which focuses on enabling young people in fulfilling “their potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Ocoee Region operates 15 units in the area — seven in Bradley County, one in Polk County, one in Meigs County and six in Monroe County.

• Life Bridges, which “bridges the gap between abilities and disabilities,” provides services for residents with developmental disabilities. Life Bridges’ vision is to “provide exceptional services to the individuals we serve, their families, and our community to promote independence, respect and trust while meeting our social and financial responsibilities.” 
• The Caring Place, an ecumenical Christian nonprofit, addresses “basic spiritual, physical and social needs of people in Bradley County.” They distribute groceries to families at poverty level or below, give ready-to-wear clothing upon availability, provide professional social work services, distribute spiritual food through prayer, provide environment where prayer is encouraged and facilitate getting head in a just getting by world. 
• Family Violence Program’s Harbor House provides a safe and caring place for individuals and their children who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

• Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland partners with residents who need decent and affordable housing. Homeowners complete “sweat equity hours, homeowner education courses and paying an affordable mortgage on their home.” 
• Lee University Developmental Inclusion Classroom is a state-approved private school for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The Cleveland City Schools saw an increase of 1,000 percent between 1999 to 2000, and 2005-06. Experts agree ASD individuals “have the most unique learning needs and require the greatest expertise to teach of all disability categories.” LUDIC provides services targeting the needs of its students. The services are often more intensive than can be offered in schools.

• Orange Grove Center offers “person-centered services and programs to nearly 1,000 children and adults with the goal of transforming our community into one that is truly inclusive and diverse.” 
•  Hospice of Chattanooga addresses the “medical, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals and families faced with a life-limiting illness. The goal is to help terminally ill individuals live their final weeks and months with the highest quality of life possible.”

Habitat honors 88-year-old volunteer with dedication of ReStore Book Nook

Posted Wednesday, March 20, 2019 10:09 am

By COLBY DENTON

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland recently unveiled the newest addition to its ReStore: a specially designed book nook that not only displays the books it has for sale, but also serves as a dedication to a particularly faithful Habitat employee named Hazel Spain.

Having served with Habitat since 2005, the 88-year-old Spain originally started with the nonprofit when Habitat was still located at its original location, Broad Street United Methodist Church.

“I think the William Shakespeare quote went something like, “Though she be but little, she is fierce,’ and that describes Ms. Hazel so well,” said Habitat volunteer services manager LaManda Bowers. “She has so much passion and tenacity. I met her seven years ago when I started at Habitat. She puts her entire heart and soul into this organization.”

Bowers added she’s never seen anyone love books like Spain does, and praised Spain’s desire to instill a love of reading in others.

Spain is often called Habitat of Cleveland’s “paparazzi,” as her job once involved taking countless photos for scrapbooking purposes, and she continues to capture images even now. Due to this love of scrapbooking, Habitat’s staff presented her with a scrapbook filled with photos of herself throughout her years of service.

“One of the first things Hazel did was to help our staff with filing, and she grew from there to take pictures of all of our events, construction sites and dedications, and would scrapbook those. So, a lot of our history is in direct relation to Hazel Spain,” said Habitat of Cleveland Executive Director Tammy Johnson.

Having a file of every Habitat of Cleveland home built since its inception, Spain also clips  photos and articles from media coverage over the years for Habitat's scrapbook.

Aside from scrapbooking, another passion of Spain’s is tending to the books in the Habitat ReStore. Her duties involve processing donated books, putting them on the shelves and selling them, with all proceeds going to help build Habitat homes.

Johnson proudly said Spain’s work brings in around $17,000 per year to Habitat through book sales alone.

“Hazel is one of those people who gives so unselfishly behind the scenes, so I thought it was time to honor her. I approached the teams about dedicating this book nook to her, and everyone just came together to honor this amazing woman,” Johnson said.

She added she believes the nook will increase book sales in the ReStore, as it offers a larger section for the books and even a spot to sit and browse.

This is the first section of the ReStore that is specifically dedicated to a Habitat volunteer, with the area being dubbed the Hazel Spain Book Nook.

Spain took a moment to recognize all of the construction crew, led by assistant supervisor Jesus Trujillo, for all their hard work with Habitat and the creation of the beautiful facade now bearing her name.

“I feel honored to be receiving this,” Spain said. “I think this facade they’ve built for my book nook will draw the eyes of customers and increase traffic to the book section for people who may normally have ignored it.”

She explained when she first moved to Cleveland years ago, she needed something to do. She knew about Habitat because it was located at Broad Street United Methodist, and the church was one of the few places she knew how to get to, so she ended up working for Habitat. She says she’s certainly glad she did.

“I met all these people as they came to volunteer, and it was almost like you knew everyone. It was like a family with everyone being so friendly and nice. Habitat’s mission is very important, as it’s such a good thing to help people get good housing,” she added.

Habitat of Cleveland is completing four homes this year, and upon completion, will have constructed 139 homes since its inception.

The Hazel Spain Book Nook is now open for business.

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland is located at 300 Grove Ave., and can be reached at 423-473-4610.

Bowater Credit Union donates to Habitat

Posted Wednesday, March 20, 2019 10:03 am

CALHOUN — Bowater Employees Credit Union member Tammy Johnson has won $1,000 from Bowater Credit Union to her favorite nonprofit, Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.  

Bowater Credit Union has asked its members to nominate their favorite nonprofit helping people in the counties eligible for credit union membership: Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk.  Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland is the most first winner of 2019.

Johnson knows first-hand how the winning organization improves the community we serve – in addition to being a credit union member, she is the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.  The $1,000 prize will be used toward the 2019 Heroes Build.  “This home build will engage veterans, military members and first responders who will volunteer to help build a home for the Brenda Walker family,” wrote Johnson.  “Brenda Walker is a hard-working mother of two. Her current living situation is unhealthy, and she began looking for a better quality of life and a safe, secure environment. She applied, went through our stringent qualification process, and was accepted into the Habitat program. 

To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland or to make your own donation, visit habitatofcleveland.org.

The Pay It Forward program will continue through 2019, and that means any member of Bowater Credit Union can nominate their favorite nonprofit for a $1,000 Pay It Forward prize.  Four more prizes will be given out in 2019, and the deadline to be considered for the next prize is August 31. 

Bowater Credit Union began the Pay It Forward program in 2010 as a way to give back to the community it serves.  Since the program’s inception, Bowater CU has given $41,000 to various charities making a difference in our community.  For more information, visit www.bowaterecu.org.

Bowater Employees Credit Union is a federally insured credit union offering savings, checking, loans, and financial education to those who live, work, or go to school in the counties of Bradley, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Polk.  They have five branches, over 16,000 members, and $168 million in assets.  To learn more about Bowater Employees Credit Union and its services, call 423-336-7268 or visit BowaterECU.org.

Habitat breaks ground on four new homes

By COLBY DENTON

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland broke ground Friday on three of the four homes it’s building this year in the Victory Grove subdivision. The fourth will be in its South Gate Hills subdivision.

Despite the rain, a large crowd turned out to support the organization and the families it is serving.

Easy Auto, the title sponsor for the Habitat Women Build home, came to the build site early Friday morning and worked for several hours on the home before the  wet weather returned. The home will go to future homeowner Erica Nelson and her two daughters.

“Our Women Build home is where we get over 200 women, who’ve brought teams of 10 women each and who raise $500 per team, so our Women Build teams collectively raise $20,000,” Habitat Executive Director Tammy Johnson said.

Once these homes are built, Habitat of Cleveland will have effectively completed 136 homes for residents.

Easy Auto President Ben Chandler  and several members of his team had  been working on the Women Build home earlier in the morning. He said the team has a future work date established to return to the build and continue working for a full day.

“Women and children are affected most by poor living conditions, so this build was very easy to get behind,” Chandler said. “Everyone in our organization, from our founder Bob Card to our CEO Robbie Card, truly believes in giving back to the community. There’s nothing better than reinvesting our resources right here in Cleveland.”

The Legacy Build home is sponsored by the George R. Johnson Family Foundation, and is going to future homeowner Dale Ware.

Tammy Johnson expressed pride in Ware, who has already started completing her "sweat equity" hours, participating in home ownership classes and volunteering in the Habitat office.

The other two families include the Leaders Build home for Victor Headrick and his son, and the Heroes Build home for Brenda Walker.

The foundations on the homes are already completed, and framing has just started. Weather permitting, the time frame for completion averages around 12 weeks. This is accomplished by teams of subcontractors working on Mondays and Wednesdays, core volunteers working on Tuesdays and Thursdays and outside groups working on Fridays and Saturdays. Depending upon what the weather does, the teams can speed up or slow down the construction to remain on schedule.

“We have a lot of sponsors who have volunteer build days. They coordinate 10 people for each group, so we try to stay on schedule as best we can unless it’s a total rainout,” Johnson said.

Habitat has five different communities in Cleveland. These include Fitzgerald Village, Sain Village, Century Village, Victory Cove and South Gate Hills.

Johnson said many residents are unaware of just how many communities Habitat’s built, with the reason being that placing a Habitat family by themselves in a struggling community almost inevitably drags the family down with the negative environment. The opposite can be said for an exclusively Habitat community, where “positive peer pressure” acts as a good influence and lifts them up.

One home is called the Leaders Build home because it's built by numerous community leaders who’ve each donated $1,000 to Habitat and who will help build the home for two half-days. Some particular Cleveland celebrities include Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks, Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis, Lee University President Dr. Paul Conn, state Sen. Mike Bell, Peak Performance’s Denise Rice, the first woman leader; and several others. Johnson emphasized  there are still slots available for workers on the Leaders Build team for anyone interested in joining.

During the groundbreaking, Johnson said, “Although it’s gloomy and rainy, we are filled with excitement as we welcome our four future homebuyers to the Habitat family.”

Erica Nelson, one of the future homeowners,  expressed her sheer gratitude to Habitat and its volunteers for everything they’ve done for her and her family.

“I’d first like to thank the almighty God, the man who made this all possible, and to all of these wonderful, thoughtful people who stood by Him, including Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland,” Nelson said, amid tears.

She continued, “To the four families here, I say to you, ‘We have finally made it to this day,’ but when we all started we had our doubts. Our advocates told us that this may seem like a rocky road ahead. I’m sure many of us thought, ‘Will we ever get past this rocky road?’ But we all heard that little whisper in our ear that said ‘I will give each and every one of you strength and peace.’ So our four families would like to say that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and thank you all for your support.”

The Habitat team then posed with their shovels to symbolically break ground on the all-new homes for 2019, surrounded by smiling and grateful faces, despite the cold rain.

To support Habitat, Johnson encourages everyone interested to check out their website, learn about the Habitat families, consider sponsoring one and look into the variety of volunteer opportunities the organization offers.

Past and future Habitat families’ biographies can be found on Habitat’s website, www.habitatofcleveland.org. 

For more information, Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland can be reached at 423-473-4610. It is located at 300 Grove Ave.