A look back at five houses in five years

New homeowner Denise Perkins, center, cries during the dedication of her home on Jan. 9. Denise partnered with FPC and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro to make the dream of home ownership a reality.

 

 

 

 

By Susan DeVaney

January  9, 2010. The entire east coast was in a cold snap. Temperatures in the 20s and a biting windswept 60 happy, caring people – half of them FPC members – into the house at 19 Willow Tree Circle. The party inside, formally called the Dedication, celebrated several special events:

1. It was Greensboro's 350th completed Habitat for Humanity house;
2. It now is the new home of Denise, Ezra, and Joshua Perkins; and
3. It marked completion of the final phase of FPC's Five Houses in Five Years campaign; five families sponsored; fifty thousand dollars raised by FPC members each year; five houses built, in large part by FPC members. Thousands of volunteer hours have been devoted to organizing, phoning, hammering, sawing, feeding, consulting, praying.     

Volunteers, Habitat staffers, and prospective homeowners listened respectfully as the dedication began.  Sheron Sumner, Habitat Board Chair, offered words of welcome followed by a prayer from Sid Batts, who reminded the crowd that people of all faiths and stations in life had come together to build not only a house, but a human bond. As the program progressed, former Board Chair Jim Dagenhart presented a plaque in recognition of FPC's on-going commitment to the concept of ownership of a safe and decent dwelling for those who otherwise could not afford one.

 

In accepting the award, Tom Hamlin stood in for Jim Coltrane, FPC House Leader for the past three years, and spoke at length recognizing the volunteers, particularly the dedicated construction crew, who caused this house to rise. As a member of the Habitat Board, it was Tom who first brought the idea for the Five Houses campaign to the Session and Outreach Committee and provided leadership each year.

 

Many of the Habitat old timers, looked back in awe over the Five Houses in Five Years campaign.  Who could calculate the hours Ginny Bradsher and Dottie Blanchard spent calling volunteers each week? How many lunches and snacks did Louise Bristol arrange? How many Saturdays--many of them rain-drenched or freezing - did Jim Coltrane, Linda Branch, Alan Shaver, Bill Ridenhour, Bill Giddings, Tom Hamlin, Larry Bowden, Dale Brinley, and others devote to building?

 

The speakers continued to wax enthusiastic. Habitat House Leader Amanda Albert presented Denise with the customary homeowner's Bible; Denise and her aunt, Pastor Jaqueline Foster, spoke lovingly and tearfully, giving thanks to God and everyone present for the miracles of unity and heartfelt giving. Winston McGregor, President and CEO of the Greensboro Habitat branch; Ralph Paris, Family Liaison; and Susan DeVaney, Publicity Chair, shared their impressions and congratulations. Helen Lowry presented Denise with an album of Susan's photographs taken throughout the build; Dottie led the Litany of Dedication. Bottom line: it's difficult to put into words the emotion and faith-filled hope of the day.

 

Rolled into the celebration was yet another joy-- one of the 350 homeowners, Janet Williamson, celebrated the retirement of her mortgage.  Her son and daughter were in elementary school when they first moved in. Now, fifteen years later, with children grown, Janet owns her house free and clear. Cause for celebration indeed.

 

As a successful campaign draws to a close, we say a special thank you to some key players. (Forgive me if I have left  someone out.) The FPC Habitat Committee wishes to recognize Dwight Stone for his generous provision of a crane and roofing crews for hard jobs; Gary Jobe for his generous in-kind support of the Habitat organization; Jay DeVaney for serving as FPC House Leader for two years; all the AmeriCorps workers and student volunteers who devoted hours of time and labor; Elizabeth Osteen, Susan Midgett, and Boyd and Jennifer Stanley, former family liaisons; Susan Quirk for her photography skills; Nathan Golden and Ann Alexander for their gracious and abundant help with announcements, posters, flyers, and newsletter/webpage stories; the entire FPC staff – ministerial and otherwise – for their whole-hearted support; and a special thanks to the hundreds of others who gave generously of their money, time, and effort to make the project run smoothly. We cannot forget to mention Anderson Grove Baptist Church and Temple Emmanuel for their partnership in the early years, and finally, a very special thanks to Dr. Joe Mullin, for his immeasurable efforts behind the scenes.

 

Committee for Habitat 2009

Jim Coltrane, Dottie Blanchard, Tom Hamlin, Ginny Bradsher, Louise Maultsby, Ralph Paris, Susan DeVaney, Neil Dunnavant