Habitat happening!
Sherry Williams stands outside of a front window opening of the Habitat House she and her three children will occupy in eight to ten weeks.
Single mom watches with excitement as outside walls of her new house go up
“Hallelujah, praise the Lord!” exclaimed Sherry Williams Monday morning as she watched Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise a section of exterior wall on the foundation of what will soon become her dream-come-true home.
“It’s a miracle,” said the single mother of three children. “I’m excited about moving into a safe environment, having good neighbors and getting my children into schools where they’ll receive a good education. I always said I was going to have my own home by the age of 32 and I’m going to make it with the Lord’s help.”
Williams’ excitement and good fortune was applauded by the more than 30 elected officials, Habitat leaders and volunteers and neighbors who attended a wall-raising celebration hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County.
A highlight of the gathering was the presentation of a check from Bunge Corp., the project sponsor, to Habitat’s Chairman of the Board Stu Strong. The money is being used to purchase building materials and supplies for the house.
Bunge’s Facility Manager Gene Moore and P.O.D. Manager John Hasenbein joined other volunteers to spend a day working on the house. Commercial Manager Sonya Aldridge represented Bunge for the check presentation.
Others in attendance included State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur; former State Rep. Ronald Grantland of Hartselle; Mayor Dwight Tankersley; State Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur; Lynn Temple, Habitat board member; and Missy Twing, Habitat executive director.
“Habitat for Humanity is an important organization for low income families,” said Orr, who worked for the organization for four years and served as a director for several years. “The sweat equity that’s required is a good way for the homeowner to develop a sense of investment in their new home. I appreciate Bunge taking the leadership in this effort and walking the talk of being a good corporate citizen.”
“Citizenship is one of our core values,” said Moore. “This is one way we can give back to a community that has been so good to us.”
“We’re here to do what we can,” he said. “Weather permitting, we’ll have workers here for the next 12 to 14 days.”
Strong said the house would be completed in about 12 weeks
Williams has waited two years for the construction of a new house to get under way. She works three jobs to support her family of four, which includes two sons, Tykeem, 11, Tevin, eight and daughter Tamera, 15.
Bunge Corp. commercial manager Sonya Aldridge presents a check to Stu Strong, board president for Habitat for Humanity of Morgan County to pay for materials being used in the construction of Hartselle’s newest Habitat house. Also pictured, from left, are Bunge facility manager Gene Moore; Bunge P.O.D. manager John Hasenbein; Hartselle Mayor Dwight Tankersley; former State Rep. Ronald Grantland, Hartselle Chamber of Commerce president Susan Hines; State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur; State Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur; and Lynn Temple, Habitat board member.
Volunteers raise a wall section for Hartselle’s newest Habitat for Humanity House.
