Local Churches and Businesses Partner to Build Home for Veteran

Last Saturday, Habitat North Central Georgia held a dedication ceremony for the Dawson family whose home is located on Reece Road in Woodstock. This is the first of two homes completed on this street. It was a beautiful morning and the supporters from all over the community came to celebrate this joyous moment with the Dawson family. Their home was built by volunteers from local congregations who come together twice a year for a common purchase, to provide affordable housing to families in their community. This ecumenical effort has been a tradition for over fifteen years with Habitat North Central Georgia.

On this home, Habitat partnered with Dane and Brittany Dawson, longtime residents of Cherokee County. The couple has two young children; Rhett (5) and Brandi (2). Dane Dawson is a veteran and served in the Army National Guard for six years. For the last four years, he has worked with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office. Brittany Dawson is a stay at home mom caring for their two children.

It was a tearful moment for all who attended the ceremony when Dane and Brittany Dawson were presented with the keys to their new home. “We are touched by the community’s generosity,” said Dane Dawson. “Words cannot express how grateful we are and how hopeful we are about the future of our family and especially our children.”

The Dawson family’s home was sponsored by the following local congregations; Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, Cherokee Association of Realtors, Kimberly Clark, Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, Northbrook United Methodist Church, Roswell United Methodist Church, Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Saint Brigid Catholic Church, Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Saint James United Methodist Church, Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, and Zion Missionary Baptist Church. These congregations provided both the funds and the volunteer labor to help build the home.

Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds affordable homes for purchase by low-income families who demonstrate the capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, Habitat-NCG has completed 289 homes serving an estimated 1,000 family members in the North Fulton area and Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth Counties. Habitat-NCG does not give away its homes. Partner families, who earn 30% to 60% of the Atlanta area median income, purchase their homes at or near appraised value utilizing 30-year no-interest financing provided by Habitat. In addition, each partner family is required to attend educational classes and perform 200-300 hours of construction “sweat equity.” Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. Habitat-NCG’s slogan is “A Hand Up, Not a Handout.” For more information concerning Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.