Nearly 50 volunteers work on Habitat’s 125th home
From Blount County Habitat for Humanity
If you spent Saturday morning sleeping in or mowing your lawn, you may have missed Blount County Habitat for Humanity making history.
On that day about 50 volunteers gathered on the corner lot of East Harper Avenue and Wright Road to begin construction on Blount County Habitat for Humanity’s 125th home in our community.
The build, sponsored by First United Methodist Church of Maryville and Blount Community Church, is BCC’s first experience supporting a Habitat home. FUMC of Maryville has been building Habitat homes since 1994.
“We are so happy to be partnering with the team from FUMC of Maryville,” said BCC project leader Dain Baker. “New skills and friendships were acquired today. People from all walks of life and a wide range of ages worked together to build a home for a deserving family partner, Kristie Bennie and her daughter, Jamie.”
The morning began with a safety talk by construction manager Doug Jenkins, followed by a devotion and prayer by Baker. Soon after, a whirl of activity began. The sound of hammers and saws filled the air, but there was laughter and fellowship happening all over the site as well.
Tania Hunter and Debbie Teffeteller, who are serving as the volunteer coordinators for Blount Community Church, were on site to ensure that volunteers where checked in and ready for building. It wasn’t long before both were soon “drawn into” the whirlwind of activity. As they said, “The sight of everyone else working together was somewhat infectious!”
Volunteers took a lunch break at midday to share in fellowship and a lunch of barbecue pork, coleslaw and baked beans. By late afternoon all four outside walls were raised and each of the interior walls were strategically placed for easy installation as the work continues this morning.
“Thank you for your love and support,” homeowner Kristie Bennie told the volunteers. “With your help you have made it possible for us to have a place to call home. Words cannot express what this means to us; we are forever grateful for your kindness.”
For more information how you, your church or your business can partner with Blount County Habitat for Humanity, contact the Habitat office at 865-982-8717, or visit online at http://www.blounthabitat.org
