Over $21,000 Raised During WJLE Radiothon For Habitat

Many DeKalb County residents, elected officials, churches and business people helped make home ownership a reality for one local family Friday with pledges and donations totaling over $21,000 during a three hour Radiothon on WJLE for Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.
Nolan Turner, president of the local affiliate chapter of Habitat for Humanity says a special thanks goes to all those who supported the radiothon. “We want to thank the people of DeKalb County who have always been so generous and for the $21,140 they have given today to this worthy cause.”
Tecia Puckett Pryor, Vice President and Chair of the Development Committee says she is pleased with the response. “We’re so thankful for the support of our whole community. These funds will be used toward the building of our second house in Smithville for partner family Felicia Gibbs and her children. We’ve got more money to raise. It will probably cost around $40,000 to build this house, so if you would like to continue making donations to us either in memory or in honor of someone, you may write to us at Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County, P.O. Box 750, Smithville, Tennessee 37166.”
You may also drop off your donation with Turner or any other board member at DeKalb Community Bank, or with Pryor at the law office of Sue Puckett Jernigan in Smithville.
The Adams Street home will be built for Felicia Gibbs, a divorced single mother, and her children 4 year old Dasia and 9 month old Trystan Seth. Felicia grew up in Alexandria, attended DeKalb West Elementary School, and graduated from DeKalb County High School in 2001. The family met criteria used by Habitat to identify the best candidates for successful home ownership: demonstration of need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat.
Recipients of Habitat-built homes are required to come up with a down payment, and put in many hours of “sweat equity” before construction can begin. After the house is built, they must pay off an interest- free mortgage, with that money going toward construction of additional Habitat-built houses.