Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury Dedicates Two New Homes in Columbia

cutting_ribbon — Veronica Jordon cuts the ribbon to her new home in Columbia.

On Saturday, October 10, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury dedicated two new homes in Columbia, TN to the Jordon and Hammond families. These are the 7^th and 8^th homes of 10 that the Habitat affiliate will complete this year by partnering with local churches, civic groups, businesses, and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to provide local families with the opportunity to purchase their own homes.

When Veronica Jordon learned she had been accepted into the Habitat Homeowner program last year, she couldn’t stop her tears of joy and couldn’t wait to get started on her home build. The bricks and sticks of her home were funded by Bank of America, Estate of Mildred Forkois, First Assembly of God – Columbia, Lasko Products, Optum Healthcare, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, and for the last 10 weeks, she has labored alongside community volunteers from the Columbia Noon Rotary, Destiny Church, Grace Church of the Nazarene, Maury Hills Church of Christ, and Thompson’s Station Church. She has done everything from moving wall panels to trim painting, and always with the brightest smile on her face.

Veronica was born and raised in Columbia, TN and has worked for Wal-Mart for 10 years. She has two sons, Antwan (12) and Aquavion (7). Aquavion suffers from severe epilepsy and also struggles with a speech delay. Her new home and its large yard will be a godsend for her family. “Aquavion makes sounds to communicate but cannot form words yet,” she explains. “Also, he has been known to wander off, so I spend a great deal of time watching over him. My boys will now have a safe place to play. I want the sponsors to know that they are helping to change my life and the lives of my son.”

Across town, the Hammond family has worked alongside their sponsors Capella Healthcare, Franklin First United Methodist Church, Franklin Christian Church, General Motors – Spring Hill, Harpeth Presbyterian Church, UL, and Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati to complete their home. They are counting down the days until they can pack their moving truck.

“We are very excited about the house being finished and seeing all of our hard work come together,” Antonio Hammond notes. “We have waited a long time for this moment, but it has been well worth it. I would like to say that this has been an experience like no other! Throughout this process we have met some amazing people that took time on their weekend, despite having lives of their own, to come lend a helping hand to complete strangers. We can’t wait to be able to create memories in our home from birthday parties to Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s going to be a wonderful feeling to actually invite family to our own home this Thanksgiving. We would like to say thank you to each and every person who has helped us on this journey. It is a dream come true thanks to all of you.”

After the dedications, the houses will be sold to the partner families at no profit and with zero-interest, 30-year mortgages.

Event Volunteers Needed

Habitat for Humanity of Williamson and Maury Counties is seeking volunteers who would like to serve the Habitat mission by putting their management, design, and fundraising skills to create beautiful and successful outreach events. This would also be a great opportunity for social, civic, or women’s groups to volunteer together on a fun, tangible project!

These much-needed volunteers can:

serve as an event chairperson
assist with pre-event planning
help with marketing efforts
serve on the day of the event

We are also in need of volunteers who have connections to performing artists, event vendors, and promoters in our community.

We are planning an informational meeting in September.
Please join us to learn more!

Local Builders Construct Home Builders Blitz Home in 15 Days

On Thursday, July 30, Habitat for Humanity of Williamson and Maury Counties dedicated its 196th home to KaRynda Barner and her three daughters. This is the 6^th of 10 houses that Habitat Williamson-Maury will complete this year by partnering with local churches, civic groups, businesses, and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to provide hard-working, low-income Williamson and Maury County families with the opportunity to purchase their own homes with a zero-interest mortgage.

The house was completed in just 15 days by local homebuilders and contractors during the Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury’s 4th annual Home Builders Blitz build.

Habitat’s Home Builders Blitz is a partnership between Habitat affiliates and the building community to build and renovate homes across the United States, helping to fulfill Habitat’s vision of “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” This type of build began in 2002 in Wake Forest, NC and since then has resulted in more than 1,000 safe, affordable homes across the country. Builders and Habitat affiliates work closely to organize all aspects of building, including securing subcontractors and suppliers, fundraising, and seeking donations of materials.

Habitat would like to thank the following companies that supported the Home Builders Blitz this year:

American Heating and Cooling (HVAC)
Apcom
Central Woodwork (interior doors and trim)
Cree Products (LED bulbs)
Dow (insulation panels and energy saving components)
Ferguson Enterprises (light fixtures)
Flow Construction and Valley Custom Products (drywall material)
Ford Custom Homes (seed, straw, and landscape package)
GAF (roofing materials)
Hunter Douglas (window blinds)
Huskey Truss & Building Materials (siding, walls, trusses, exterior doors, and windows)
Irving Materials, Inc. (concrete)
John Maher Builders (framing labor)
The Jones Company (architectural services)
Kenny Pipe and Supply (plumbing material)
Lee Company (plumbing labor)
Metro Carpets (carpet and vinyl flooring material and labor)
Northwest Exterminating (termite treatment)
Professional Roofers, Inc. (roofing labor at cost)
Real Green Solutions (Energy Star inspections and certification)
Rogers Group (stone and gravel)
Square D (electrical breakers and panels)
31-W Insulation (insulation material and labor)
Valspar (exterior and interior paint)
The Whirlpool Corporation (refrigerator and range)
Wilsonart (laminate counter tops and cabinets)
Yale Locks and Hardware (exterior and interior lock sets)
Waste Solutions (dumpster services)

Lee Company has partnered with Habitat Williamson-Maury on the Home Builders Blitz for three years. Their team of 7 has spent 14 hours roughing in the home’s plumbing and 5 hours trimming out the fixtures and installing the water heater. Zac Coppock, Plumbing Field Supervisor at Lee Company, explains what brings them back to help each year. “We love serving our community, so every year we look forward to partnering with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury for the Home Builders Blitz. It’s wonderful to be part of the teamwork and dedication that goes into building a home that will be a great blessing to a deserving family in need!”

That deserving family is Columbia, TN native KaRynda Barner. KaRynda attended Columbia Central High School and later graduated from Tennessee Technological University. She is a staff auditor at Community First Bank and has worked there for the last eight years. She has three daughters, Dyahja (9), Danaija (8), and D’Kyra (3), and looks forward to being able to provide a safe, stable residence for her children.

KaRynda moved quickly through the Habitat homeownership program. “I have enjoyed the process – getting to know the other families in the program and building those relationships has been great,” she notes. “I have also loved working on other homes and taking classes on how to maintain my house. I look forward to being able to provide a better life for my children.” In addition, Karynda hopes that this opportunity will afford her the stability to pursue her master’s degree.

“I feel so blessed that I will have the opportunity to own my own home. The program is such a blessing.”

For additional information or to get involved as a donor or volunteer, please contact Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County at 615-690-8090 or visit www.hfhwm.org.

Click here to learn more about HFHWM’s Home Builders Blitz.
Click here for more photos from the dedication.

Habitat Williamson-Maury Raises over $21,000 at Hammers and High Heels

On Thursday, June 25, 220 supporters came out to support Habitat for Humanity’s 5^th Annual Hammers & High Heels event, which was held at the beautiful new event barn at Homestead Manor. Attendees enjoyed fantastic food from the Puckett’s family of restaurants, amazing music from local band Redhead Express, and an online silent auction of 100 different specialty items. In just three fun-filled hours, guests raised $21,745 for the “bricks and sticks” of Habitat’s 2015 Women Build home, surpassing the event’s goal of $20,000.

“It was really exciting to meet our $20,000 goal, and we wouldn’t have been able to do so without the talents and donations of many generous companies and our hardworking volunteers,” explains Habitat’s Director of Development Kim Randell. “More than 20 volunteers came together to put up decorations, man the check-in and auction, and help keep things moving smoothly. A special thank you to our emcee, Mrs. Tennessee Cheryl Brehm who has been a devoted member of this year’s Women Build team. She has done everything to help from wielding a nail gun to collecting silent auction items. In addition, we couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support of Puckett’s and Homestead Manor. We were honored to be the first event in their new venue.”

The night also included the unveiling of Habitat wrapped High-roof Nissan NV Cargo Van from Nissan North America. This work van has 320 cubic feet of cargo space and 261 horsepower and will be indispensable to the Habitat team on the build site. Habitat Williamson-Maury Board Member and Director of Corporate Services at Nissan North America Brian Delauter championed the donation and was on hand to pass over the keys at Hammers and High Heels. “This vehicle will be a great addition to the Williamson-Maury Habitat team, including upcoming Women Builds,” he noted.

The night’s entertainment, Redhead Express, stole the show. “We were blown away by the Redhead Express,” notes Habitat’s Director of Communications Jennee Galland. “The whole family was there to support the cause. From helping with AV needs to giving an amazing performance, they went above and beyond. We are so blessed that they choose to support our Habitat ministry with their talents.”

Thanks to the sponsorship support of Nissan, GM, Jim and Amy Keffer, Avenue Bank, Chip Kerr with Crye-Leike Realtors, Mobile Smartbid, and Walmart and the generous in-kind donations of Best Brands, Inc., Cheryl’s Flowers and Gifts, H. Clark Distillery, Muletown Roasted Coffee, Triple Crown Bakery, Perfect Party Pix, Papa C Pies, Puckett’s Boathouse, Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant, Wild Hare Beer Company, and the many silent auction donors, every dollar raised went straight to the home build for the Aric family.

Jennifer Aric is a single mother who has nine children – seven which still live at home, including a son and daughter who each have a disability. Julia has epilepsy, and Isaiah has been diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (“brittle bone” disease). Isaiah uses a wheelchair, and his new home includes ADA modifications that will make everyday tasks easier and safer for him and his family.

Habitat’s Women Build program educates and inspires women all over the country to build and advocate for affordable housing in their communities.Hundreds of local volunteers, alongside partner family Jennifer Aric, began constructing and fundraising for the affiliate’s sixth annual Women Build home in April.

Sponsorship cost for the home is $70,000, and $15,000 is still needed to fund the home. Anyone wanting to help can donate online at www.hfhwm.org. Those wanting to volunteer on future builds (including one that starts in July) can contact Volunteer Coordinator Emma Couch at 615-550-5619.

Click here for more photos from the event.

Click here to learn more about the Women Build.

Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury Dedicates Last Homes of Brandenburg

On Saturday, June 20, Habitat for Humanity of Williamson and Maury Counties (HFHWM) made the American dream a reality for three hard-working single mothers. With the help of friends, family members, and well-wishers, the nonprofit dedicated the last three homes in their Brandenburg Subdivision in Fairview. On June 26, the houses were sold at cost and with zero-interest mortgages to the heads of households Jennifer Aric, LaRhonda Lee, and Tory Ferguson.

“Our spring build season has come to a close, and it has been amazing to see the dedication from our volunteers,” explains HFHWM Volunteer Coordinator Emma Couch. “Over the last three months, 839 volunteers gave 5873 hours to help build these homes. From the various congregations of our Faith Build and Brentwood United Methodist Church to the individual Women Build volunteers, these builds have brought together so many to help these families achieve homeownership.”

All three families were living in unsafe and/or overcrowded conditions with rents hundreds of dollars above the typical Habitat mortgage payment of $595.

“The need for affordable housing in Williamson County couldn’t be greater,” explains Habitat Williamson Director of Family Services Wayne Weaver. “In the last year, Williamson County’s median home price rose from 2.5% percent from $399,950 in January 2014 to $409,000 in January 2015. For many working individuals in our community like teachers, healthcare workers, city/county employees, and those in the service-sector, homeownership is not possible without Habitat.”

Such is the case for one of the build’s future homeowners, Jennifer Aric. Jennifer is a single mother with nine children. Seven of Jennifer’s children still live at home, including a son and daughter who each have a disability. Julia has epilepsy, and Isaiah has been diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (“brittle bone” disease). Isaiah uses a wheelchair, and his new home includes ADA modifications that will make everyday tasks easier and safer for him and his family. Jennifer has worked alongside hundreds of local women volunteers over the last nine weeks.

“Since the beginning of my journey with Habitat, I have learned so much,” Aric notes. “April came, and the dream I had envisioned for my family became a reality. Here we are at the end phase and it is so surreal. I couldn’t have completed my journey without the help of all the amazing volunteers! Thank you for all your hard work and time! The Women Build has been a life changing experience.”

The $70,000 needed to complete each home was funded through a diverse group of community partners. The Spring Faith Build brought together the efforts of Christ United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Fourth Ave Church of Christ, Lowes Home Improvement, Middle Tennessee Electric Customer Cares, and Saint Andrew Lutheran Church. The second home was sponsored and built completely by Brentwood United Methodist Church. The last residence, the fifth annual Women Build home, was volunteer-built and sponsored by individual Women Build volunteers from all over the County. Two of the homes also received financing and/or funding from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.

For additional information or to get involved as a donor or volunteer, please contact Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County at 615-690-8090 or visit www.hfhwm.org.

Click here for more dedication photos.
Click here for photos from the Brentwood United Methodist Church Build.
Click here for photos from the Women Build.
Click here for photos from the Spring Faith Build.

Habitat Williamson-Maury Dedicates Home Built by Columbia Businesses and Churches

Carrika_cuts_ribbon On Saturday, June 13, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) dedicated its 2015 Spring Columbia Community Build to Carrika Tellington and her son, Chase. Built and sponsored by First Farmers Bank, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, Grace Church of the Nazarene, Highland Corporation Charitable Foundation, Maury Hills Church, St.Peter’s Episcopal Church, and Tennessee Housing Development Agency, this new, energy-efficient residence on Glade Street will be sold to the Tellington family at cost and with a zero-interest mortgage.

In January 2015, Columbia churches and businesses came together and pledged to fund and volunteer-build an additional 2015 Habitat home for a family in the community. Thanks to overwhelming community support, construction on this Spring Community Build began on March 21 and continued each weekend through April and May.

Carrika is a graduate of Columbia High School and is presently taking classes towards a degree in Early Childhood Education at Columbia State. When not at work as a childcare provider for Hospi-Tots, she is busy running Chase to baseball or basketball. Before buying her Habitat home, the family lived in an apartment with only the parking lot as an outdoor play area. Carrika is so excited to have a safe backyard for her son. She remarks, “A yard where he can grow up and continue being active is such a blessing.”

Always decked out in her signature “Unique Diamonds” hot pink cap and self-designed Habitat t-shirt, future homeowner Carrika Tellington brought her endless energy and infectious smile to the long build days. Over five weeks, she worked alongside hundreds of volunteers from Columbia churches and businesses.

She calls the Habitat process “amazing.”

“All the staff has been so kind and sweet and they will forever have a place in heart,” she explains. “We are now family. It is the best thing that has ever happen to me and Chase. Having my first home and to say that I helped build it, is awesome. I would like to thank anyone that sponsored and/or volunteered during this nine week process. You guys are truly amazing, and I love you all. Be blessed.”

In July 2014, the Maury County Habitat merged with the neighboring Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County after much discussion and planning of both boards. The new affiliate, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury, combines and streamlines the two organizations, enhancing the local nonprofit’s capacity to serve more families in need from both counties. Carrika_Chase

For additional information or to get involved as a donor or volunteer, please contact HFHWM at 615-690-8090 or visit www.hfhwm.org.

Click here to see more photos from Carrika’s Build.
Click here to see more photos from Carrika’s Dedication.

Fast Stop Gas Stations to Sell Hammers for Habitat

This April and May, the Highland Corporation Charitable Foundation will join forces with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) to help local families achieve the American Dream of homeownership through the Hammers for Habitat promotion. Instead of wielding a real hammer on the build site, community members can support affordable housing by purchasing a paper hammer to hang at their local Columbia, Fairview, or Spring Hill Fast Stop Gas Station.

Habitat for Humanity Williamson County merged last summer with neighboring Maury County Habitat, forming Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury. In January, the nonprofit held a community meeting at the Puckett’s Restaurant in Columbia for community partners interested in furthering affordable housing in the County.

“The community’s response has been positively overwhelming,” says HFHWM Director of Development Kim Randell. “Within days of asking for support, we had enough pledges from Columbia area churches and businesses to fully fund this build in downtown Columbia. The Highland Corporation has donated $10,000 and plans to raise funds and awareness through a Hammers for Habitat sales promotion at their Fast Stop and Marathon Markets. Thanks to the generosity of the Foundation, local churches, and First Farmers Bank, we began construction on Carrika Tellington’s on March 21.”

“We are excited about partnering with Habitat for Humanity to give a great family in our community the opportunity to own a home,” explains Seth Blanks, Vice President of Sale and Marketing at Highland Corporation. “Investing in the communities where we work and live is an important part of what we do as a company.”

Hammers will be sold at:

Fast Stop Markets 2100 Wall St. Spring Hill, TN 37174	Columbia Fast Fuel 404 West 7^th St. Columbia, TN 38401	Marathon Market 400 S. James Campbell Blvd. Columbia, TN 38401
Fast Stop Markets 2209 Fairview Blvd. Fairview, TN 37062	Fast Stop Markets #11 1620 Bear Creek Pike Columbia, TN 38401	Downtown Marathon 511 N. Garden St. Columbia, TN 38401
Fast Stop Markets 805 W. James Campbell Blvd. Columbia, TN 38401	Daisy Mart 2585 Nashville Hwy. Columbia, TN 38401	Kiki’s Fast Fuel 1411 Trotwood Ave. Columbia, TN 38401

Since 1988, HFHWM has built 192 homes for families in the two counties. After completion, homes are sold to partner families at cost and with a zero-interest mortgage. In addition to a down payment, monthly mortgage payments, and mandatory homebuyer education classes, partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor—sweat equity—into building their Habitat home and the homes of others. Families are selected based on need, willingness to partner, and ability to pay a mortgage. Learn more about volunteering, homeownership, and sponsorship at www.hfhwm.org.

(Pictured in Photo: Highland Corporation VP of Sale and Marketing Seth Blanks, HFHWM Future Homeowner Carrika Tellington, Fast Stop Manager Laura Turner, and HFHWM Director of Family Services Wayne Weaver)

Habitat Williamson-Maury Dedicates 15th Annual Habitat High Home

On Sunday, March 8, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) dedicated its 15th Habitat High home to Dede Murray and her toddler son, Angel. Built and sponsored by local high schools through the Habitat High program, this new, energy-efficient residence is located on Beechcroft Road in Spring Hill.

Over the five cold weekends, Dede has worked alongside over 600 students from Brentwood, Centennial, Currey Ingram Academy, Fairview, Franklin, Independence, Ravenwood, and Summit High Schools.

The $70,000 needed for the build was funded through several projects undertaken by the Habitat High clubs at each school and through the generous donations of community sponsors Lasko Products, Inc., Peace Lutheran Church, and Grace Episcopal Church. The home also received financing and/or funding from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. After the dedication, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury sold the home to Murray at cost and with a zero-interest mortgage.

Despite the extreme weather over the month, the Murray’s home remained on schedule thanks to the hard-working students. “I can’t describe properly the energy the students have given to Dede’s home,” explains HFHWM Volunteer Coordinator Katie Gilliam. “They bring open eagerness to a project that has them waking up at early hours, working through freezing cold conditions, and trying new and difficult skills – all to help a local family. The students’ positivity and passion are an example to the entire community. It is truly remarkable to watch and help facilitate and has been a highlight of my experience as the volunteer coordinator to see them shine as they serve.”

Alex Ryan, a senior at Independence High School, has been involved in Habitat High since she was a freshman. “I started participating in Habitat because I really wanted a way to volunteer and know I was making a difference,” she notes. “I have learned so much. On each of the builds, it may have seemed
like every job I was doing was small, but each task was essential to the house being completed. I think that was actually a great metaphor for what happens in life: when accomplishing the smaller jobs, it helps us view the bigger picture.”

Dede is a child-care provider for a local daycare and spent the last several years working with Williamson County Schools as a teacher’s assistant. When she is not working or taking care of her toddler (Angel Josiah Murray-Santana), she enjoys attending church at Strong Tower Bible Church in Nashville. She is also a past Habitat High volunteer and helped build several homes on Helping Hands Drive in Franklin. Little did she know a decade ago that the tables would someday be turned. “It is amazing how things come full circle. I can’t believe such kindness has been returned to me. The high school students have been amazing, and Habitat has completely been a blessing.”

Photos from the Event

Williamson Herald Article
Columbia Herald Article
Fox News Story

Buy A Hammer. Build a Community.

This March, Great Clips salons in Williamson and Maury Counties will join forces with Habitat for Humanity to help hard-working, local families achieve the American Dream of homeownership through the Hammers for Habitat promotion. Instead of wielding a real hammer on the build site, community members can show their Habitat support by purchasing and autographing a paper hammer to hang on their local salon window.

Twelve Great Clips salons are partnering with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) on the Hammers for Habitat promotion, which is now in its second year. The promotion allows customers to make a donation of two dollars or more and in return, receive a three dollar discount on a future haircut at Great Clips.

Debra Imes, Great Clips general manager, says her stylist teams are excited to roll out the promotion to the salon’s patrons. “This is a great way to get our customers involved with the community,” she notes. “Not only do they get to participate, they benefit too!”

HFHWM Development Director Kim Randell echoes Imes. “It takes a community to build a Habitat home, and this Hammers for Habitat promotion is an easy, affordable way for everyone to lend a hand.” She continues, “We want to thank Great Clips management, and the individual stylists for their support of this program. Together, we can meet the goal of 10,000 Hammers, which will amount to $20,000 for materials to help pay for our 2015 homes.”

Habitat for Humanity Williamson County merged last summer with neighboring Maury County Habitat, forming Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury. Since 1988, the two affiliates have built 192 homes for families in the two counties. After completion, homes are sold to partner families at cost and with a zero-interest mortgage. In addition to a down payment, monthly mortgage payments, and mandatory homebuyer education classes, partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor—sweat equity—into building their Habitat home and the homes of others. Families are selected based on need, willingness to partner, and ability to pay a mortgage.

Columbia Merger Information Breakfast

For the last 25 years, Maury County Habitat has worked with community partners to help hardworking, low-income families with a hand up, not a handout, through its zero-interest mortgage and homeownership program. In July 2014, the affiliate merged with the neighboring Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County after much discussion and planning of both boards. The new affiliate, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury, combines and streamlines the two organizations, enhancing the nonprofit’s capacity to serve more families in need from both counties.

Over 60 community members attended an informational breakfast meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 7:30 a.m. at Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant in Columbia to discuss the merger and future of Habitat in Maury County. The meeting was hosted by the Highland Corporation, Maury Hills Church, Morgan Stanley, and Puckett’s. The Morgan Stanley Columbia office generously covered the cost of the breakfast for the meeting.

Habitat partner families were in attendance to share their personal stories and how Habitat’s mission has affected their lives. In addition, Habitat staff presented opportunities for local churches, businesses, and civic groups interested in sponsoring and volunteering on home builds. Members from the new joint board were also on hand to discuss building in both counties and gather input.

Maury Hills Church has participated in two builds with Habitat and will begin a third in coming months. The Church’s Senior Minister Russ Adcox describes Habitat for Humanity’s impact as “profound” on his congregation. “Habitat is a simple, yet powerful, way to serve the community and put our faith in action,” he notes. “I’m really excited about the opportunities this merger brings for Maury County. The new process makes it easier for more churches, civic groups, and businesses to get involved regardless of size or resources. I hope anyone interested will come out to Puckett’s Wednesday and learn about the exciting opportunities coming our way.”

Read more from James Bennett at the Columbia Herald:
http://columbiadailyherald.com/news/local-news/habitat-wants-build-more-homes