This May, we had the pleasure of dedicating four homes to families in need. In these heartfelt dedication ceremonies, each first-time homeowner gathered with their family, friends, and Habitat stakeholders to pray over their homes before receiving the ceremonial keys. A hallmark of the Habitat for Humanity tradition, these ceremonies represent a time for everyone involved in the home-building process—from sponsors to volunteers to staff to the family themselves—to come together to bless the house into a home. Take a peek into this month’s heartwarming dedication ceremonies below:
Sarah
The month started with an intimate dedication ceremony for Sarah, an elderly Manatee County native. Despite courageously serving our community as a nurse’s assistant for 18 years before retiring, Sarah was never able to buy a home. Over the years, she devoted herself to raising her children and grandchildren, and on May 2nd, just in time for Mother’s Day, she received the keys to her new home!
Lauren and Stan
May 9th marked a very special dedication ceremony as a veteran family in need received the keys to their newly renovated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home. Stan and Lauren are hardworking parents to their three children, Cali, Jonathan, and William. Stan, a dedicated veteran who served our country for 11 years, continues his service as an active reservist working in the medical field. Lauren is a stay-at-home mother who cares for their children, including Cali who has special needs. Thanks to the help of Our Next Mission, who spent many months rehabbing their home to like-new condition, this family was able to see their hard work pay off in a touching dedication ceremony surrounded by their family, friends, pastor, and Our Next Mission volunteers.
The Publix Home
On May 14th, a determined homeowner had the pleasure of cutting the ribbon to her brand-new Habitat home. Thanks to the generous support of Publix Super Markets Charities, this family will receive the lifelong gift of homeownership. To culminate the ceremony, Samantha Kinn, Assistant Store Manager, White Eagle Publix shared a tear-jerking moment with the homeowner before presenting her with the key to her new home.
Kacha
To wrap up the month, Kacha cut the ribbon on her Habitat home at a dedication ceremony on May 21st. She was surrounded by her mother, brother, daughter, and grandchildren as she received the ceremonial keys to her new home from Manatee Habitat Board Director, Karmia Habity. Kacha shared that homeownership has been a lifelong goal for her, and although her children are all grown up, she can’t wait to raise her grandchildren in her home.
Thank you to all the supporters, donors, and volunteers who made these four homes possible. And a special thank you to our ReStore for contributing a $500 gift card for each of these families. Together, we are building stronger communities and brighter futures.