Wilkes Habitat for Humanity celebrated the completion of its 22nd home this past Sunday with a service of dedication for the Summerlin Family. The building project, known as Trinity 5, was the fifth Habitat home sponsored and supported by the 3-congregation team of North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church, First UMC North Wilkesboro, and First Baptist Church North Wilkesboro.
The ministers of the 3 partner churches – Ben Trawick (NWPC), Keith Franklin (FUMC), and Nelson Granade (FBC) – organized and presented the very moving service, which was well-attended.
Wilkes Habitat for Humanity is grateful for the outstanding support we received from the Town of Wilkesboro, which not only donated the lot for building, but also provided significant assistance with grading and lot preparation through the in-kind services of the Public Works Department. Mayor Mike Inscore of the Town of Wilkesboro attended the service and thanked the many town employees and officials who helped support this build.
One of the most exciting aspects of this project has been the community revitalization aspect of the work. Prior to building, this lot contained an older unrepairable home that was burned and removed by the town and the fire department. We feel blessed to have had the opportunity to help improve the neighborhood that surrounds Welborn Avenue, and we are very excited to have this land holding a family and a household again.
The Summerlin Family was also presented several gifts as part of the dedication. Gary Newman, Jerry Eldridge, Dodie Maxted, Michael Johnson, and David Felts – who were all integral members of our building team – presented the family with a Bible, a toolbox and the keys to the home, which is always the most rewarding part of any dedication. Members of the Wilkes County Quilter’s Guild also provided Amanda and her boys with the gift of beautiful new quilts, made by their members, and a cookbook.
Trinity 5 was purchased by the Summerlin Family through Habitat’s standard no-interest, no-profit mortgage. We thank all of the people who were part of this build and worked so hard to make affordable home-ownership a reality for another deserving family here in Wilkes County.
To close the service, Pastor Franklin provided a heartfelt remembrance of 2 wonderful Habitat supporters who passed away earlier this year: Alvin Eldridge and Donald Holliman.
