carolbarnettclairetwomey

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.”