Woman, autistic son get keys to new house
By Rheta Murry | (rhetam@thedailytimes.com)
With a little pomp and circumstance and a house overflowing with people, Margaret Ingman and her son Jonathan accepted the keys to her three-bedroom, bath-and-a-half Habitat for Humanity-built home Wednesday evening.
Friends, church members and even dignitaries from Habitat for Humanity, Maryville and Blount County attended the organization’s 126th dedication — a home on North Houston Street, Maryville.
Alan Rathbone, Habitat board chair, told the more than 50 people attending that those who hammered in a nail, attached a shingle, painted a wall or assisted in any other way helped bring this home project to fruition.
Tony Gibbons, Habitat’s president and CEO, agreed, saying, “This house is a gift from God through others.”
Gibbons talked about Margaret Ingman’s positive attitude throughout the entire process: the budgeting classes, selection of amenities such as flooring, counter tops and siding, and even building the home. The Ingmans worked every day the crews worked, and sometimes when no one but them were there.
“We are very proud of you,” Gibbons said. “You have been a great role model. You did your part and you embraced it all to make that change from renter to homeowner.”
Lot had problems
The lot on which Habitat built the home presented some problems. Ingman said it had a big slope and was full of trees. Architects modified the home to fit.
Ingman said she plans to plant vegetables and other edible vegetation once she moves in. The home, she said, needed to be close to town so her autistic son, Jonathan, could walk to stores, restaurants and to the library.
Alcoa United Methodist Church sponsored the home, sending workers to hammer, paint and even sweep. Gibbons also said funding came in many forms, including a grant from ALCOA Inc., and money from Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union, THDA/NSP and many more. Signs in the full bathroom, master bedroom and a second bedroom indicated The Carpenter’s Club, Builders Club and The Habitat ReStore made contributions.
Many helped
Many businesses and organizations presented Ingman with gifts during Wednesday’s dedication. David Dunn gave her a large tub full of tools to help them maintain their new home. Second Harvest Executive Director Elaine Streno held up a box of Cheerios, explaining that the organization is donating two boxes of food to the family, something she plans to do at all other Habitat dedications.
“We are learning what God meant when he said that He would see to it that everything worked out for the best,” Margaret Ingman said in thanking all the volunteers. “Your timing on this project has always been just what was needed when it was needed.”
According to Gibbons, the Ingmans will be in the house as soon as the closing occurs, and possibly by Christmas.
