Barney and Carol Barnett personally donated two new houses – $60,000 for each home to Lakeland Habitat for Humanity.
The Ledger reports “Side by side with young men and women from Youth Build, a job training program, the Barnetts ceremonially raised the first wall of the 100th house to be built by the Lakeland chapter of Habitat for Humanity. They [personally] contributed $120,000 for the construction of two Habitat houses in the depressed Parker Street neighborhood. A third home will be built on an adjacent lot with loan repayment monies from families in the first two homes.
The first of the three homes, on nearby Peachtree Street, [is] mostly framed. It will be a two-story, four-bedroom home, purchased by Mark and Marvet Brooks, who have three children. The Barnetts looked over the home and chatted with the Brookses before walking over to the freshly poured concrete slab of the second home, which will be sold to Adam and Nicole George, who have two children. The Georges’ 3-year-old daughter, Faith, was diagnosed with luekemia after the family was approved for the home.”
Besides the Barnett’s personal donation of the two homes Publix Charities also donates every year to Lakeland Habitat for Humanity. Carol Barnett tells the Lakeland Ledger “We’re happy to have such a dynamic Habitat chapter in Lakeland. It was an easy decision,” she said.”
The Parker Street neighborhood has a reputation for drug activity and prostitution, but it is improving, said Claire Twomey, executive director of Lakeland Habitat. Even so, Twomey said, it took some persuasion for the Brookses and Georges to accept the location of their homes.
Frank Kendrick, chairman of the board of the midtown community redevelopment project, said bringing in families is important.
“We need families who want to raise their kids here. Habitat for Humanity – that’s what they do. These are nice, quality homes. Working-class families are exactly what we need to stabilize the community,” he said.”
Habitat is addressing shelter solutions for low-income families affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010. Habitat’s ability to respond effectively to this disaster will require support from donors, corporate partners and other community organizations. To lend support, please donate today.
It has been two weeks since Claire and I left Vietnam where we participated in the Habitat for Humanity Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Mekong 2009 Work Project.
Every day I still think about the small fishing village and the kind and gracious people we encountered. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity assist 32 families who until now have been living on their fishing boat. You could see the difference in their faces each day as their small block home (400 square feet) took shape. There smiles got bigger and they stood taller with pride. Even though there was a language barrier, they showed their appreciation in many ways.
The picture you see is our homeowner with John, one of our team members from Canada. Our homeowner bonded with John and that made it even more special that he laid the last block on the home. John had never worked on a Habitat house. He read about the project and decided to make the trip as his 60th birthday present to himself.
Today, we all are a part of a global community. Habitat for Humanity International builds at home and around the globe. The Carter project is just one vehicle to bring to the forefront the need for affordable housing. It alternates between here at home and abroad. We will keep you posted as to where it will be next year.
Our last day on the work site and our house is finished. Our family whose name is Dong had a ceremonial tea service for all the volunteers to thank us, with a tea set that we all gave to them for their new home. It was very emotional for all of us.
One of the volunteers brought a bag of balloons and Becky and I blew them up and tied them to a string for the children. One after another they came to our house for a balloon, the police had to come and tell them no more. We almost caused a riot! I do not think they ever saw one before. I know that most of them had never seen an American before. We were quite a treat for them, especially with blue eyes.
We then walked behind the dancing dragons to the closing meal shared by volunteers and families. I wish I could tell you what it is really like here, but I cannot put into words what it would take to show the depth of the poverty here. Our family has been waiting 7 years for this little house while living on a very small boat in the river.
They are so grateful for so little and are so happy to work along side us. We cannot speak each others language, but we can read the thoughts in our hearts through our eyes. It has been an honor to be here with such wonderful people.
Day 4 of the work week and Becky and I are stiff in places we did not know we had! It has been very cold and the 1 mile we walk to the work site after the bus can go no further seems to have grown to at least 5 miles. The people here are so poor and so kind to us.
We are building with block and I never realized how heavy blocks get the more you lift. President Carter and Rosalynn Carter were at the work site yesterday and came to our house for a photo.
When I first came to our house and saw Lakeland on the sign as the sponsor of this house, I cannot tell you how my heart felt like it would burst. It is so humbling to be able to help this family.We are building 32 houses this week in the village. All the children know how to say hello and they call out to us as we are walking down the dirt road to our site.
I will try to write again, but by the time we get back to the hotel and have dinner, we are asleep very early because we need to leave in the morning by 6:30 AM and anyone who knows me knows if I have to get up at5:30 in the morning everyday, it is not a pretty picture!!!
I am safe and sound here in Vietnam. Cannot understand what anyone is saying and they cannot understand me. Lots of sign language! Very strange being in a communist country. Went on a trip into Hanoi and then yesterday went out on a boat in Long Bay. Taxi cab driver was pulled over and policeman tried to pull the keys out and with door open the cab just took off, not sure what that was about and was waiting for police to chase us, but cab driver went in and out of traffic and nothing happened. Scared the tail out of me!!! Tomorrow morning at 6:45 we start to build.
The need for affordable housing in the Mekong region is immense. Some of the poorest people in Asia live along the countries touching The Mekong River. Nearly one-third of the population lives in poverty—many on less than one dollar per day.
From November 15–20, 2009,The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will unite volunteers and families in need of decent, affordable housing in the Mekong region. During the weeklong build, volunteers will build with an estimated 175 families in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China’s Sichuan Province.
Featured Story
A ‘New Life’ is almost ready in Cambodia
The 21 families moving to the new Habitat site in Oudong city have named their neighborhood the New Life Community. It is situated in Sra Por village―seemingly a world away—from the garbage dump where they previously lived.
Setting the stage in Thailand Hundreds of volunteers and partner families and thousands of tools and materials will come together during the 2009 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
The need for affordable housing in the Mekong region is immense. Some of the poorest people in Asia live along the countries touching The Mekong River. Nearly one-third of the population lives in poverty—many on less than one dollar per day.
Check back regularly for news and updates on the Carter Work Project.
From November 15–20, 2009,The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project will unite volunteers and families in need of decent, affordable housing in the Mekong region. During the weeklong build, volunteers will build with an estimated 175 families in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China’s Sichuan Province.
Says President Carter, “Together during the week, we will help hundreds of families into decent housing and bring attention to an area where many people live in deplorable poverty.”
The project is also the beginning of a five-year Habitat for Humanity initiative to work with 50,000 families in the five countries.
Help a family in your community build a house and the hope of a better life!
By donating a car to Habitat’s Cars for Homes™ vehicle donation program, you help your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate build and rehabilitate houses in partnership with families in need of a hand up, not a hand out.
It is quick and easy to recycle your used cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, construction equipment or other vehicles—running or not! Plus, you may be eligible for a tax deduction if you itemize. (Consult the IRS or your tax advisor for details.)
Donate a car, truck, boat or RV to Cars for Homes™ — Habitat’s official car donation program.
Call (877) 277-4344toll-free, or donate vehicles online.
ABWK is coming to Lakeland Habitat soon! Group and Individual Volunteers will work alongside ABWK staff and homeowners to paint, conduct minor repairs of all kinds and landscape owner-occupied homes. More Details will follow soon on Calendar schedules will follow soon.
Volunteer Impact:
The A Brush With Kindness program is a neighborhood outreach program within Lakeland Habitat for Humanity that refurbishes homes of low-income residents, especially those experiencing challenging circumstances such as single parent families, advanced age, disability or poor health. This program helps homeowners remain in safe and affordable homes.
Skills:
Volunteers of all skills levels are welcome. We work to match our volunteers with projects that match their skill level and interests.
Age Requirements
For safety reasons, children under the age of 16 are not allowed on site. All volunteers under the age of 18 must have adult supervision from a parent or adult friend.
Time Commitment:
We ask that volunteer commit to a full day, typically 8:30-4:00. Volunteers can come one day, several days, or volunteer regularly on a weekly or bi- weekly basis.
Training & Supervision:
All volunteers must attend a volunteer orientation session. Volunteers will be supervised by our ABWK staff.
