The meaning of home
by: Kevin Pelkey
Even though Christmas decorations of all sorts have been available in our local stores since August, we are now officially in the Christmas season!
It’s a busy time of the year with so much to do in such a short time: gifts to buy & wrap; parties to attend; concerts to enjoy and so much more.
For many Habitat families, especially those celebrating Christmas in their new homes for the first time, this season is one of peace and joy. After investing 300+ hours of “sweat equity” and patiently working to the day when their homes are done, we are pleased to share that the following families are in their homes and are looking forward to their first Christmas in their new homes!
Jonathan & Anissa and their 3 boys: Christmas this year promises to be an entirely new experience. Moving from a cramped attic and having no yard to play in, their new 3 bedroom home provides: warmth, space, security and a big yard! With enough room in the home, they can now invite friends and family to enjoy the holiday season with them.
Sean and Amy and their 2 girls: Having lived in an older trailer home for the last few years, a new home this Christmas is much more than just a new space. The oldest daughter’s health required being in a motorized chair…a chair that didn’t fit in the trailer home. Moving around the trailer home meant “scooting on hands and knees.” Owning a fully handicap adapted home means independence of movement, a sense of dignity and the ability to get up Christmas morning and share the day with joy and pride…for the whole family!
Leoda and her two children: Christmas this year, more than anything, means stability and security. Bouncing around from rental to rental and sprinkled in with temporary hotel stays, the new home means no more moving and a home suitable for her daughter’s needs. The adaptations made to this home will provide a much easier home to clean and maintain for Leoda. And, for her son, the chance to have his own bedroom for a change. Christmas day is sure to be one of celebration!
We currently have 8 homes under construction. We are looking forward to welcoming most or all of those families home for Christmas a year from now.
As you prepare for Christmas and bake your cookies & wrap your gifts, please consider joining Habitat with a special gift to help bring those 8 families home next year. Share the joy of giving knowing a gift to Habitat means safety, security and pride for every family. We also ask you lift Habitat up in your prayers as we continue to work with more families seeking a decent, affordable place to call home.
Here’s how you can help:
- To volunteer, contact Greg at 218-454-7021 or visit Volunteer – Lakes Area Habitat
- To donate, contact Lori at 218-454-7019 or visit Donate – Lakes Area Habitat
In peace,
Kevin Pelkey, Executive Director
