Our Board President, Ben Rogers writes a monthly article for the Edward Jones Maryland Newsletter. Below is Ben’s submission for this month. I think he did a fair job of capturing the moment.
It Must’ve Been the Sun
The late afternoon sun was affecting everybody gathered ’round the front yard as Lindsey spoke from her heart on the front porch. She told of the bad breaks she’s had over her adult life, admitting that many of them were self-inflicted, having fought addiction issues, and other poor life choices. She told of being a single mother, being able to finally overcome her addictions, and of finding a job, but not earning enough to even be able to afford a 1-bedroom apartment, much less a home of her own. Tears of gratitude were streaming down her face as she thanked all of those who were present at the dedication of her newly renovated home made available by Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County.
Present were board members, local dignitaries, and most of the folks who had provided over 1200-man hours over the last few months to turn this run-down house into a wonderful home for her and her daughter. During the ceremony, the daughter was playing among the freshly planted bushes provided for free by a local nursery. As if her speech wasn’t emotional enough, what followed was overwhelming. A local computer firm donated a free computer system for her. A local tech firm provided her with a free router and free internet for as long as she lives in the home. A local non-profit told her she wouldn’t be able to put anything in her kitchen cabinets just yet because they had all been stuffed full with food. The Habitat board provided her with a gift card to the local Habitat ReStore to help purchase any furnishings she may need.
A full renovation, budgeted at $40K, was able to be completed for $30K, thanks to in-kind donations from various local suppliers, and all the free volunteer labor from dozens of people who were happy to spend a Saturday making a difference for someone in need. Each of those Saturdays found a lunch provided for the workers, having been donated by local restaurants. Such an outpouring of kindness and generosity, all coming together on a beautiful April afternoon, and the sincere gratitude of the new homeowner were simply overwhelming. As she was handed her key, one couldn’t help but notice that Lindsey was not the only one wiping her eyes. Surely, it must’ve been the sun.
