Meet LaDonna Gallagher

LaDonna’s life has been defined by relentless love and unwavering dedication. For more than 30 years, she called her Cleveland apartment home, a place that held her joys and sorrows. In 2015, she finally achieved her dream of moving to Florida, a goal she had long cherished. But life had other plans, and just two years later, she found herself back in Cleveland, driven by a deeper purpose—to care for her daughter, Dawn, who was fighting a courageous battle with stage four lung cancer.

In the midst of this uncertainty, LaDonna’s dreams shifted. Now, her heart is set on providing Dawn with comfort and security in a home built just for them. "All parents want security," LaDonna says, reflecting on the countless hours she spent working multiple jobs to support her family. More than anything, she wants Dawn to know that she’ll always have a place to stay and someone to take care of her, no matter what.

Since moving into her current apartment, LaDonna has had to set aside some of the things she loves most—her passion for dogs and gardening. But with a new chapter on the horizon, she’s looking forward to welcoming a Chihuahua into her home and finally having space to garden again. She dreams of growing her own tomatoes, a simple but meaningful reminder of the joy she finds in gardening

At 70 years old, LaDonna is the definition of resilience and determination. She’s excited to bring the skills she learned working at Lowe’s to help build her Habitat home with her own hands. Whether it’s caring for her family or maintaining her yard, LaDonna’s enthusiasm for life’s tasks shines through. Her story is a testament to her strength, kindness and the unbreakable love she has for her family.