Pay It Forward With Habitat Iredell
We are excited about an opportunity that presented itself to us recently and we need assistance from all of our supporters! It is one of those partnerships that is meant to be and shouts, “Get out of the way and let God work.”
In 2009 New Oregon United Methodist Church of Fort Payne, Alabama brought their mission team to Statesville to work on a Habitat home. They arrived fully prepared with shower trucks and meal prep trucks for their stay. The group is made up of 50 - 60 people who are present to work and spread the message of God’s love. Within their week-long stay, the walls were raised and the house was completely ‘dried in’. It was a fantastic week for all concerned. For 22 years this group has traveled out of their area to make a difference in another community. According to the group, “We go where ever God leads us.”
Earlier this month we received a phone call from our friends at New Oregon UMC saying they would like to return to Statesville this July to help another deserving person. Despite the fact their own region was tragically hit by the April tornadoes, they felt their mission work must continue. At the time we, at Habitat Iredell, were not planning on a new build until later in the new fiscal year. Though we told New Oregon UMC we did not think it was possible, they felt strongly about coming back to Iredell County.
After much consideration and a great deal of dialogue between the board and staff, we believe this can be done. We have an incredible group of faithful volunteers who want to Pay It Forward, we have the land in place, and we have a hard-working gentleman who is ready to have a home of his own (Meet Hugh below). We are all answering a call that is much greater than any of us, therefore, we are taking a leap of faith and have a new project.
The Pay It Forward project is about two communities working together. The project does not stop when our friends return to Alabama at the end of July. As a result of the tornadoes, the Fort Payne region continues to face relief challenges. Habitat Iredell is doing something unlike we have ever done before – we are leading a group from Statesville to help with relief efforts in Alabama.
Community Support is vital to this awesome project! YOU can become a part of the Pay It Forward project. Habitat Iredell is committed to seeing this project transform two communities and the lives of all involved. As with any Habitat home we must raise the funds for construction. We are also going to tithe 10% of all money raised for House #68 to the Fort Payne, Alabama area for disaster relief.
We need your assistance in making it all possible. $66,000 is the need for the Pay It Forward project. Your generous corporate, organizational, or individual gift is greatly needed and appreciated. Please contact us if you would like more information. You can make a donation online, or mail your donation to: Habitat for Humanity of Iredell County ~ 1382 A Shelton Avenue ~ Statesville, NC 28677. Download the Pay It Forward flyer here.
Meet Hugh Stone
Hugh Stone, Habitat Partner
A veteran of the Vietnam era, Hugh Stone has always wanted a home of his own. Every day you will find Hugh in the ReStore working on his sweat equity hours. Hugh suffers from emphysema, and is grateful to be partnering with Habitat Iredell to better his living environment. Currently Hugh lives in a drafty, mobile home with holes in the floors.
It was the first of many great days for Hugh recently – he picked out his lot and his floor plan. He is excited to start the next phase with Habitat and the next phase of his life.
