Publix Super Markets Charities Helps Build Home in Cumming

On Saturday, Habitat North Central Georgia held a kick off ceremony in Cumming for a home being constructed for a family of three. The Kjellstrom family is thrilled to have their home sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities. Publix employees came out in force and spent the day helping to build the Kjellstrom family’s home, which is due to be completed in April.

Lisa Kjellstrom has two children, Celeste (16) and Jeramy (11). She is very grateful to have been selected for the Habitat program. With support from the community and specifically her church, First Baptist Cumming, they have been able to overcome many obstacles and become a stronger family unit. Lisa is employed in food services for the Cherokee County School system as an assistant manager. Lisa’s daughter, Celeste, will be graduating from high school in May and plans to attend Lanier Technical College to pursue skills in the medical field.

Lisa’s eighth grade teacher, Myra Holland attended the event Saturday. More than 20 years later, Lisa joined First Baptist Cumming and reconnected with Ms. Holland who leads a Bible study group for single women. Myra expressed her pride in witnessing Lisa’s perseverance and dedication to growing and improving her life.

Habitat is able to build the Kjellstrom family home due to the generous contributions from Publix Super Markets Charities, MetLife and the United Way of Forsyth County. These organization will be providing both funding and the volunteer labor to help build the home.

“Publix founder George Jenkins believed in giving back to the community,” said Kelly Williams Puccio, executive director of Publix Super Markets Charities. “He developed Publix Charities for that very reason.” Publix Charities recently donated $5.5 million dollars to help build Habitat Homes throughout the southeast in 2017.

About Publix Super Markets

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 187,500 employees, with 2015 sales of $32.4 billion. Currently Publix has 1,134 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The company has been named one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 19 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.

About Habitat for Humanity - North Central Georgia

Habitat for Humanity - North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds simple, decent homes for purchase by low- to moderate-income families who demonstrate a capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, Habitat-NCG has completed 287 homes serving over 1075 family members in North Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth/Dawson counties. Each family is required to attend six educational classes and perform 200-300 sweat equity hours. Families earn between 30% and 60% of the Atlanta area median income and purchase their homes from Habitat which provides them with a 30-year, no-interest loan. Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. These families not only get to experience the pride of homeownership but they also know that their lives will be changed forever. In addition to new home construction, Habitat North Central Georgia started a home repair program in 2014. To date, 30 repair projects have been completed serving veterans and seniors. For more information on Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.