Habitat dedicates its 140th home in Cleveland

Posted Wednesday, June 17, 2020 9:50 am

By DANIEL GUY

With the cutting of a ribbon, Sheila Smith recently celebrated her new home in Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland's Victory Cove subdivision. 

Her home is the 140th Habitat home built in Bradley County and is named the Legacy of Faith Build home. 

Smith bought her first home — a “fixer-upper” with grass up to her waist and more than 20 bags of garbage littering the lawn — when her now-adult children were still growing up.

She worked “12 hours a day in a carpet mill,” she said, “12 hours a night” at home to transform that house into a home.

“I just did what I had to do to survive and take care of my kids, working 48 hours a week, and sometimes it was 72 (hours),” Smith said.

She most recently lived in an apartment complex with mold issues, a broken refrigerator, little space and noisy neighbors. However, she saw the fruits of her labor during a dedication ceremony for her new home at Victory Cove. 

Speaking about the volunteer homebuilders, Tammy Johnson, Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland executive director said, "We literally take many, many, many people and wrap arms of love around our habitat homeowners."

Smith is full of life, laughter and ambition. She loves spending time with family including her grown children — a daughter, Stephanie, and son, Russell —  and her 12-year-old grandson, Ethan, who led the dedication prayer at the dedication.

She applied to Habitat in November of 2018 in hopes of bettering her life and changing her living situation. She worked very hard to complete the 300 sweat equity hours and to pay off debt. 

Smith dreams of the day where she will finally have a beautifully decorated "forever home" with a lovely yard of flowers, backyard cookouts, corn hole games with family and friends and peace all around. 

Speaking about the apartment complex she was living in, Smith said, “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fine place to live, but I have no yard. All I have is concrete, and my yard has always been my special place.”

She also looks forward to making meals in her own oven.

“I love flowers, and I love a vegetable garden where I can go out and pick some tomatoes and lettuce, okra and squash and just prepare a meal for my family,” Smith said. 

“More than making meals, I hope to make warm, lasting memories to pass on to my family and all who visit,” she added. “My grandson and I will be able to play in a yard together, plant flowers and watch them grow for years to come. We are so excited, and I am truly blessed. It’s been a journey.”

A little more than a few weeks from completing her home, she is excited about the prospect of moving in and taking care of her home, no longer a displaced flower looking for a garden.

“It will be clean, and it will be cherished,” Smith said. 

She said she is blessed with a strong core of friends, including Sam and Judy of South Pittsburgh, whom she has known for over 40 years, and her dear friend, Leon.

Sponsors for the Legacy of Faith Build include: Alba Foundation, Anatole Exteriors, Bank of Cleveland, Barry Boettner, Broad Street UMC Endowment, City of Cleveland Community Development Block Grant, Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County, David and Ellen Smith, Don Rollens Legacy Fund, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, First United Methodist Church, Fitzgerald Family Foundation, Gary White, Habitat Family Fundraiser, Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee, Howling Cow Community Commitment Fund, Julian Sullivan and Tennessee Housing Development Agency. 

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland seeks to “put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build and repair homes, communities and hope.”

For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, visit www.habitatofcleveland.org.

Habitat holds community groundbreaking for five houses

Posted Saturday, May 16, 2020 7:59 pm

By AUTUMN HUGHES

The sound of construction was accompanied by music from a neighbor’s radio Friday, when Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland held a community groundbreaking for five houses under construction in 2020.

Future homeowners were there to celebrate on Franitza Way with volunteers and Habitat Board of Directors members.

“As you know these houses have been a little bit delayed this year,” said Tammy Johnson, Habitat’s executive director.

However, it was finally time to plunge golden shovels into the gravel of one of the homes already under construction, and celebrate the families looking forward to new homes.

Johnson introduced Cathy Barrett, president of the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County, which donated $75,000 to Habitat.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the groundbreaking today,” Barrett said, noting the Community Foundation believes it is “essential for every family to be able to have safe, affordable housing — and we know that affordable housing is a major challenge in our community.”

Barrett added she is grateful to Habitat for its efforts in not only building houses, but for doing it in a way that builds strength, stability and self-reliance.

She noted the Community Foundation’s financial support “to build one additional home this year, along with all the work of the Habitat volunteers puts us one step closer to becoming that community that we aspire to be.”

Johnson said Habitat had planned four houses this year, but because of the participation of the Community Foundation, a fifth was added.

She also expressed appreciation for the volunteers and board members working on houses Friday before introducing Kim Brooks, a member of Habitat’s Board of Directors.

Brooks said at Habitat “we build homes. We build community.  We build hope.”

She noted the community “has been hit hard” lately with COVID-19, tornadoes, unemployment, and closed stores and businesses.

“So building hope is such an important part for all of us today,” Brooks said, adding Habitat works “to build and repair homes, to build and repair communities and to build and repair hope.”

Speaking about hope and appreciation was Anthea Blair, whose family will be recipients of the Heroes Build house.

The Heroes Build engages veterans, military members and first responders. Build dates are July 10 to Sept. 25.

Blair thanked God “for blessing us with a new home” and Habitat for Humanity “for allowing the families that were chosen this year the opportunity to work toward a new beginning.”

The process has taught her valuable education tools “and that there’s a community out there that truly cares.”

“Without Habitat for Humanity’s help, I would never be able to give them a home of their own and a chance for a better and safer environment,” Blair said.

Following the ceremony, Amanda Moore, recipient of the Women Build 2020 home, said her grandmother had mentioned Habitat to her “years ago.” However, it was at friend Felecia Kelley’s urging that Moore applied; Kelley had been selected to participate in the program.

Moore said she got her approval in April 2019 and began the process of taking financial and other classes to prepare her for home ownership, as well as putting in “sweat equity.”

“I think I have 80 hours left for my home,” she said, adding her home dedication is planned for Aug. 11.

She is looking forward to providing a home for her children: Jakia Young, 11; Johnathan Walker Jr., 5; and Amontay Walker, 3.

Blair said she also connected with Habitat through Felecia Kelley; she attended the dedication of Kelley’s home and decided to apply for a home of her own.

As a single mother of three — Ryan, 17; Delia, 15; and Abby, 14 — Blair was ecstatic when she got a call a month or so after she applied, asking her to come to the office for paperwork. Two months later she got a call to have a home visit, and she began taking her required classes.

“The Lord really was with me … we really needed a home,” Blair said, adding she is done with her “sweat equity” and is now volunteering to help others build their homes.

“We’ve been blessed,” she said.

Blair’s home build starts July 10 . She is counting down the days, driving by her future homesite often to check on the property and progress of her future neighbors’ homes.

Also present for the groundbreaking was Kelly Mulcahy, recipient of the Leaders Build home, who was excited to see construction on her home begin in less than two weeks. It will be the first home for her and her husband, Kyle, and their three daughters: Aurora Juliette, 5; Athena Grace, 3; and Amelia Penelope, almost 2 years old.

Mulcahy said her daughters know about their future home and are excited about it.

The other two homes slated for construction in 2020 are:

• Community Foundation Build 2020, for Vicente and Aurelia Rodriguez. The build, made possible by Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County’s $75,000 donation, is scheduled to go through June 12.

• Legacy of Faith Build, for Sheila Smith. This build honors legacy and faith partners, along with construction volunteers. Build dates are March 6 to May 2.

For more information on Habitat, including how to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitatofcleveland.org or call 423-476-6947.

Anthea Blair wins Habitat fundraiser

Posted Friday, May 15, 2020 9:00 am

Anthea Blair was the winner of the Family Fundraiser on Facebook Live sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, Easy Auto and Mix 104.1. 

The family fundraiser was a friendly competition among five future Habitat homeowners to see who could raise the most money for Habitat for Cleveland. The fundraiser ran from December to March, according to Tammy Johnson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.

The family who raised the most money received a car, donated from East Auto of Cleveland.

“Keeping with the model of Habitat being a hand up, not a handout, we came up with the idea of having families partner in a fundraiser,” said Johnson.

Collectively, the five families raised more than $15,000.

Ben Chandler, president of Easy Auto, noted, “This is a wonderful piece of news in the middle of a stressful time for folks. We’re happy to be involved and can’t wait for future projects with Habitat.”

Johnson and Chandler surprised Blair and her three teen children with the news she had won on April 17.

“This means the world to me,” said Anthea. “This is going to help us out so much. It’s been really difficult having only one vehicle and I never could have afforded to get my kids a vehicle right now.”

Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County: Foundation making positive changes

CATHY BARRETT, president of the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County.

Posted Tuesday, February 25, 2020 9:55 pm

By TIM SINIARD

Driving by the federal-style building that houses the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County, you would not immediately assume the work being done inside helps weave a network of individuals, families, businesses and foundations that, while they possess disparate interests, together enrich the life of the community.

According to president Cathy Barrett, the "foundation’s donors come from every corner of the community to achieve their charitable goals and impact a broad range of needs.”

The Community Foundation is leading the community in making positive, sustainable change, Barrett said.

 “Our success is connected to the generosity of our donors and the expertise of our grantee organizations," she said.

Barrett said the foundation established several new projects, as well as managed other ongoing projects last year.

• The City Fields Revitalization Fund was recently established at the Community Foundation as a renewable source of funding for new home builds or renovation of existing properties.

Currently focused on the Blythe Oldfield neighborhood, City Fields is a 501(c)3 community development corporation dedicated to revitalizing long-overlooked areas of Cleveland.

“As a CDC, City Fields can develop affordable housing to grow homeownership in the target area. Dollars from the Fund were recently used to purchase a home for renovation in the target area,” Barrett said. “Over the next few years, City Fields is committed to renovating and building around 50 homes in Blythe Oldfield. The Community Foundation is proud to partner with City Fields as this particular renovation moves forward and looks forward to many more collaborations in the future.”

Barrett said a donation from the Community Foundation to Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland is able to add an additional house to its 2020 build schedule.

“Volunteers from the foundation’s board of directors and its Emerging Leaders Council will participate in two build days during the construction of the home,” she said.

• The Community Foundation joined together with other generous donors to fund the Cleveland Bradley Public Library’s new bookmobile "which hit the streets last month," Barrett said.

The bookmobile is outfitted with shelves of books and DVDs and a mobile check-out system which allows people to check out materials off-site.

“The vehicle is handicapped accessible, allowing it to go to new locations like senior activity centers and assisted living facilities, as well as its traditional stops at preschools and daycare centers,” Barrett said.

• Construction is ongoing at Taylor Spring Park, a project funded by the foundation. The park project was launched by local residents together with the city and county governments to create an educational venue where the community can view the historic spring, celebrate the birthplace of the city and learn about the history of one of Cleveland’s original settlers, Andrew Taylor.

“Upon completion, Taylor Spring Park will provide both the residents of the City of Cleveland and Bradley County and visitors to the area, a unique location to learn about the settlement of this particular region of East Tennessee,” Barrett said. “The park will be open to the public and have free access, so anyone either working in or visiting downtown can easily stop there.”

• Also under construction in the Valley View area is Freedom Park, another project fund of the Community Foundation.

“Freedom Park is a community-led, grass-roots effort to bring publicly accessible park and recreation space to a community that is greatly in need of such amenities,” Barrett said. “The park will offer local residents and Valley View students an outdoor facility for hosting events and community gatherings and will ultimately include a pavilion/outdoor classroom with restroom; a nature exploration area with native and fruiting plants and nature-themed play pockets; a playground with an adjacent outdoor fitness area; amphitheater-style seating for the existing ball field and a revitalized walking track.”

Work on Phase I of the park, the construction of the pavilion, is near completion. In addition, Barrett said construction of the playground section of Freedom Park is scheduled to begin in spring.

Nonprofits

In addition to its project funds, the Community Foundation supports local nonprofits providing vital community services by building and endowing charitable resources to support their missions, and connecting them with donors passionate about the causes they’re serving.

Some of the foundation’s nonprofit partners include:

• ATS — the Bridge – A community organization dedicated to protecting the next generation from substance abuse and to prepare them to become responsible citizens.

• The Cleveland Orchestra of Tennessee — Provides musicians from the surrounding area with the opportunity to play and present fine orchestral music to local audiences.

• MainStreet Cleveland — Committed to a thriving, diverse, livable and economically robust central business district. The project fund with the Community Foundation provides funding for the Summer Friday Festivals.

• Cleveland Civitan Playground Fund — A project fund established to build a large pavilion and connecting sidewalks at the Inclusive Playground located at Stuart School.

• Danny Davis Legacy Fund – The Danny Davis Legacy Fund to benefit Trousdale School was established by the Tucker Foundation in memory of Danny, a longtime employee. The fund will provide ongoing support in the form of scholarships to the school and its mission of serving high functioning adults with intellectual disabilities.

• SPCA — The SPCA of Bradley County is our newest fund established to assist with a capital campaign to locate and construct a new animal adoption center.

• Cleveland Bradley Public Library — Barrett said two funds at the Foundation support the work of the library.

“The Rebecca Ann Bowman Library Endowment was established through a legacy gift by Ms. Bowman, a former librarian at the Cleveland Bradley Library,” Barrett said. “This permanent endowment supports the library through the income generated by the fund. In a similar way, the Leah Fletcher Hoyle Memorial Fund supports the library through its endowed fund. Recently, income from the fund helped to construct a recording booth studio at the Library.”

Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, dedicated to investing in students’ futures, Barrett said the foundation administers scholarship funds through an open application process.

“Some scholarships help students from a particular school or program; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students most in need,” she said. “A list of available scholarships along with an explanation of the application process is available on the foundation’s website.”

Barrett said some of the memorial scholarships are set up in memory of a young person “that didn’t see their full potential.”

“The family wants to do something that's going to benefit other students…it’s a variety of different things, all dependent upon what the person setting up that scholarship wants to do,” she said. “And we help them develop the application, the criteria for that scholarship.”

Not all of the foundation’s scholarships are based on academics. They also established to memorialize a late student's positive effect on their former school.

“We’ve got one that's in honor of a student at Bradley Central High School,” Barrett said. “It’s in memory of a student that went to there, and it's really about the school spirit, less about grades and more about that person.”

The foundation can help simplify the process of setting up a scholarship.

“We want to make it so easy for donors to really plan and carry out whatever their charitable goals whether it’s starting a scholarship in memory of a loved one or setting up a fund that's going to carry on their family legacy,” Barrett said. “We would love to help them plan and carry out that charitable work and the beauty of a community foundation is huge flexibility to really work with donors on what's important to them and make it happen.”

Anyone can invest in the foundation’s mission.

“We’ve got a lot of funds already set up at the foundation for different organizations and projects that anybody can give any amount from $10 donations on up $2 million,” Barrett said. “So, there is an opportunity for everybody to find something that's important to them and and make an investment in it.”

Barrett said the foundation’s mission is strengthening and enriching the community by connecting people, resources and needs.

“We strive to fulfill this mission every day,” she said.

Life Care Centers of America continues fundraising tradition in 2019

Posted Tuesday, February 11, 2020 9:45 am

By Kristina Kaldenbach

A commitment to serving the community through fundraising and service is a core value for Life Care Centers of America. Life Care continued representing that core value throughout 2019 with participation in existing fundraising partnerships and implementation of new, creative fundraising strategies.

On March 30, associates from Life Care’s corporate office in Cleveland kicked off their fundraising efforts by participating in the 19th annual Great Strides Walk and 17th annual 65 Roses 5K. Great Strides is a national event for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Its purpose is to one day find a cure for the disease. Life Care raised $4,423 for the foundation through dress-down days and its involvement in the walk. 
Life Care associates then participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life on May 11. With a special carnival theme in search for “The Greatest Cure on Earth,” the event had a very family-friendly focus and was one of the biggest Relays ever in Bradley County. About $10,750 was raised by the Life Care team in the fight against cancer. 
Life Care once again took part in the United Way Day of Action in 2019. This event was created to help local nonprofits complete needed projects that staff might not have the time or staffing to get to. On July 19, about 40 volunteers from Life Care donated their time to local nonprofits such as The Caring Place, Girls on the Run and Hand and Feet Ministries. 
In the middle of the summer heat, 10 Life Care associates from the corporate office offered up their time and sweat to support Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, a new partnership for Life Care in 2019. On July 26, the group participated in Habitat for Humanity’s first Leaders Build – it’s 138th home in the community. A few days after the build, Life Care hosted a breakfast in honor of the new homeowner, Victor Headrick. This allowed the volunteer builders a chance to get to know Headrick and learn more about his story.

On Oct. 5, a Life Care team took to the Cleveland Greenway to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, an annual fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association. The fight to end Alzheimer’s disease is another cause that remains at the forefront of Life Care’s fundraising efforts. The corporate team raised more than $13,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association, and Life Care’s National Team raised more than $147,000 total.

Life Care hosts a mobile blood drive twice a year, once in May and then again in September, as well as participates in the annual community drive during New Year’s week. 2019 was no different with each blood drive benefiting the local Blood Assurance. Blood Assurance is the exclusive supplier for more than 30 hospitals and 17 facilities in 22 Tennessee counties, as well as some in North Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina. Since 2003, Life Care has held 50 blood drives and donated 1,612 units of blood.

After the huge success of 2018’s water-collecting campaign for World Kindness Day, the Wellness Committee at Life Care encouraged its facilities nationwide to participate again in November 2019. Facilities were challenged to collect as much water as possible and donate to a local charity of their choice. The facilities really took on this challenge and did not disappoint. Life Care Center of Cleveland collected 12,979.20 ounces of water donating it to United Way. The Life Care corporate office ended up collecting 33,539 ounces of water and donating it to the Cleveland Food Bank. Life Care associates around the nation collected a grand total of 2,238,198 ounces of water and donating it to local charities. 
Since 2013, Life Care has been partnering with the Salvation Army of Cleveland for the Angel Tree community project. Each year Life Care associates adopt 100 angels: 75 children and 25 seniors. Life Care meets 100 percent of every “need” that is requested and about 95 percent of every “wish” requested by each angel. Additionally, in 2019, associates recycled cans from every kitchen to raise money for the Angel Tree. For the first year of recycling, about $100 was collected from the can drive to go toward meeting the needs of the angels. 
“I am so proud of our associates’ hearts for serving and giving,” said Beecher Hunter, Life Care’s president. “Our mission and values statement proclaims that we are to be good citizens of our community, and our associates prove it by their personal participation in important causes, and the dollars they give.”

Cleveland Civitan Club

Civitan Club members gathered for the weekly meeting to hear an informative presentation by Meta McGuire, the donor engagement manager for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland. Anyone interested in the Civitan Club is welcome to visit one of the weekly meetings. The Cleveland Civitan Club meets every Wednesday, from noon to 1 p.m., at the new Holiday Inn off Interstate Drive for lunch and a speaker.

Posted Tuesday, January 28, 2020 10:20 am

RED HOT BARGAINS AT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CLEVELAND

By Winston Reed - November 29, 2019

Back here at home, the Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland offered some “red hot” bargains at their 2nd annual “Black Friday” sale.

They were open bright and early from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shoppers were able to enter for a 50 dollar gift certificate and sale specials were announced every hour by the hour.

Discounts ranged from 25 to 50 percent off on items like housewares, furniture, appliances, building supplies and more.

“We actually get gently used items. They can’t have any rips or tears or soils or any kind of damage. But gently used from the community. Or from manufacturing companies. They give us new things as well. And then we bring them into the store and put a reasonable price usually 60 to 70 percent off what retail would be and then turn those savings around back into the customer so they can come in. Maybe they can’t get out to a big box store and spend that kind of money.”, said Habitat of Humanity Cleveland Restore General Manager Dave Williams.

Dave Williams also says that around the second week of December, all Christmas items will be reduced drastically.Currently, many items are marked at 50 percent off.

For information information on making donations call: 423-473-4610

Nonprofit organizations: 'Thank you for helping, serving and encouraging'

Posted Wednesday, November 27, 2019 10:02 am

By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG

As friends and neighbors across the country gather together to celebrate Thanksgiving, many are taking the time to share what they are most thankful for this year.

The leaders of local charitable organizations are no different, and several recently shared their thankful lists with the Cleveland Daily Banner.

As leaders of organizations doing everything from providing food and clothing to helping people become homeowners, many highlighted the progress made with help from volunteers.

Eva VanHook, executive director of Family Promise of Bradley County, expressed her thankfulness for getting to work with “such an amazing organization.”

Family Promise provides temporary shelter and other means of help to homeless families with children. It does this with assistance from local churches which take turns transforming Sunday school rooms into rooms where families can stay as they work toward stability. 

“I am surrounded by caring volunteers, generous donors and fabulous staff and board of directors. I am especially thankful for the growth we have seen,” VanHook said. “I am most excited about The Church at Grace Point joining the host network and our recent accomplishment of becoming a United Way partner." 

Corinne Freeman, executive director of The Caring Place, expressed her thankfulness for the organization’s volunteers and community supporters. 

The Caring Place is an organization which offers assistance with food and clothing, social work services and additional programs designed to help people work their way out of poverty. 

"As the executive director of The Caring Place, I am thankful for community; a community comprised of diversity, the joyful desire to know someone beyond your own circle, care for one another, and the willingness to unite around a common goal,” Freeman said. “When you are a part of that kind of community, it is beautiful and full of hope.” 

Angie Benefield, director of the Family Resource Agency’s Family Violence Program, said she is grateful for the support her organization’s staff receives as they help people in some of their darkest times. 

The Family Violence Program assists victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through counseling, court advocacy and more. It also operates the Harbor Safe House, a shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. 

“During this season, I am especially grateful for the Family Violence Program staff who work tirelessly providing for the needs of the clients we serve,” Benefield said. “Without them, we would not be able to function, and many who are experiencing domestic violence and/or sexual assault would have nowhere to turn. 

“I'm grateful that we can always learn from the courageous people we serve," she added. “Most of them have been through unimaginable things in their lives, yet they choose to get up every day and try to heal and move forward.  I'm grateful for a community that understands our needs and provides for them accordingly through both funding and donations.”  

Ruthie Forgey, corps administrator for The Salvation Army of Cleveland, said she is grateful for the support the organization as it works to help people in need. 

The local organization offers help to everyone from those who are struggling with drug addiction — sending them to treatment centers The Salvation Army operates in other communities — to those struggling to keep food on their tables. 

“What I am thankful for this season is a community that truly cares, that walks their talk and is always eager to help,” Forgey said. “I am thankful for the addicts who made it to treatment and are experiencing their first sober holiday in years; for many it’s been decades. I am thankful for the once-homeless friends who are now in their own homes, sleeping in their own warm beds with food in their bellies and in their cupboards.

“I’m thankful that they are giving back by coming to serve meals to others in need and offering them hope,” she added. “I’m thankful for the kids and youth who have earned badges, moved from learner to leader and are passing on the gift of mentoring they have received.”

Tammy Johnson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, said she is grateful for her organization’s volunteers and donors as the organization works to help low-income families become homeowners. 

Would-be homeowners put in “sweat equity” hours as homes are built with help from Habitat for Humanity donors and volunteers. Homeowners can then purchase the homes through "no-interest” mortgages. 

“To our great community, we say, ‘Thank you for showing up early and staying late. Thank you for helping, serving and encouraging. Thank you for everything that’s so easy to take for granted,’” Johnson said. “You see, kindness and gratitude are the keys to our success. They unlock the door to everything we are seeking to accomplish. When we get quiet, get away from the noise of the world and think for a moment about what we are grateful for, it’s you.”  

Suzanne Burns, executive director of Foundation House Ministries, said she is especially thankful for how her organization is growing. 

Foundation House Ministries, assists mothers facing unplanned pregnancies with housing and other needs. Though it primarily began as a maternity home, it has grown to include a job training program called Healing Springs Gifts, which sells bath and body products. The organization is also buying a house, after having rented one.

“I’m grateful for the tremendous support of our community this year,” Burns said. “With the help of our supporters, we have expanded our job training program for our clients and are going to be available for retail sales at several area malls. We’re in the process of buying a house, and the Lord has blessed us this year with seven new babies!” 

These are just a few of the leaders of charitable organizations serving the Cleveland community. This holiday season, many others are thanking the community its support as they continue to help those in need. 

Habitat dedicates its 139th home

Posted Saturday, October 19, 2019 9:23 pm

By CHRISTY ARMSTRONG

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland has dedicated its fourth and final home for 2019. Single mother Brenda Walker received the keys to her new home Thursday evening.

Her home, built in Habitat’s Victory Cove subdivision, was the 139th home the local organization has built in Bradley County.

“From the bottom of my heart, I’m truly blessed to have this opportunity to become a homeowner,” Walker said. “I’m just so, so happy it’s finally here.”

Habitat for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which helps people achieve their dreams of homeownership. With help from donors and volunteers, new homes are constructed with specific homeowners in mind.

Homeowners also contribute to the projects by volunteering “sweat equity” hours and making mortgage payments toward after the low-cost home builds are complete.

The project resulting in Walker’s new home was known as the “Heroes Build,” because the house was built with help from military veterans and first responders.

“Our Bradley County Habitat has many heroes who have helped Brenda Walker build her home,” said Tammy Johnson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland. “Our heroes have been firefighters from Wacker, veterans from Whirlpool and Lee University and first responders from Tennova.

“Russell Cellular, Verizon and Samsung also stepped up this year to honor our heroes with their volunteer time and financial gifts,” Johnson added. “These organizations, our volunteers and donors have been the heroes of Brenda’s story, and we couldn’t have accomplished the completion of our 139th home without you!”

The new homeowner also volunteered 300 hours of her own, working on her home and in the Habitat ReStore on Grove Avenue.

Walker, who works full-time as a medical office assistant at Tennova Pediatric and Primary Care, said it was a challenge to fit in all the hours. However, she said she is thrilled to finally be able to move into her new home.

Walker, 48, is a first-time homeowner. She is a single mother of two grown children: Brandon, 24, and Megan, 21. She also has a 3-year-old granddaughter named Evelynn Brook.

Citing financial challenges which came with raising children as a single mother, she said homeownership has long felt out of her reach. However, she is “just thrilled” Habitat has allowed her to pursue homeownership.

She previously lived in a duplex converted from an older home which had a sinking foundation, floors which were not level, water leaks and cracks which allowed rodents inside. She also had high electric bills and was paying 47% of her monthly income for housing.

Walker learned of the Habitat opportunity from her best Delia Meroney, who is also a Habitat homeowner. She said taking her friend’s advice to pursue homeownership through Habitat is “one of the best decisions” she has made.

“I take care of my granddaughter in a place that is more welcoming and safer for her,” Walker said. “I also get to show her and the rest of my family reaching goals like homeownership is possible.”

Though this is the local Habitat chapter's final home build of the year, plans are in the works for four more homes to be built in 2020.

For more information on how to become a Habitat homeowner or volunteer, visit www.habitatofcleveland.org or call 423-476-6947.

Christmas trees available at ReStore

Posted Saturday, October 5, 2019 8:20 pm

By KAITLIN GEBBY

Volunteers with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland decked the halls early last week with decked-out trees that are now available at the Habitat ReStore.

Deb Flower, also known as “The Christmas Lady,” has coordinated the event since 2010, and she gave all of the credit to her creative volunteers.

The trees were unloaded with the help of Silverdale Baptist Church in Chattanooga as part of their Serve the City mission, which sends out volunteers in the surrounding area as well as Georgia to help with community projects. Meta McGuire, donor engagement manager for Habitat and also a member of Silverdale Baptist, said the sale of these trees is a big deal to Habitat in that it provides part of the funds to build the next year’s houses.

Once the trees were unloaded and Silverdale volunteers strung lights on the trees, Flower’s volunteer group went to work during their annual Tree Trimming Party on Tuesday. With the help of eight women armed with ornaments, ribbons, bows and tinsel, the Habitat store is now a Christmas wonderland.

The trees can be viewed and purchased at the Habitat ReStore, located at 300 Grove Ave. S.W. in Cleveland. The store is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and closed Sundays. All proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity.