Let me introduce you to Allison, a young woman, a native of Rabun County, and a graduate of Rabun County High School, who was diagnosed with a brain cyst when she was 17. This led to numerous surgeries over the next six years; in the end, she was left in a wheelchair. She was tenacious. She would not let this stop her. Between all those surgeries, she graduated from college with a business degree. Her generous and warmhearted family helped spur her on the entire way.
And while her life was not exactly how she or her parents had planned, she was determined to face her future with a cheerful disposition. She worked part-time for her parents’ business. She met a young man online, Daniel, and they made plans to marry. Like many young couples, one of their dreams is to live in and own their home.
And that is how Humanity® of Rabun County met Allison and Daniel. Finding affordable American with Disabilities Act (ADA) homes is not an easy task in Rabun County. The two had already purchased land for their home. However, the costs of building such a specialized home were out of reach. Between her part-time job and medical needs and his job at the Sheriff’s Department, they couldn’t swing it.
But Habitat Rabun could help make it happen. Allison and Daniel applied and were accepted as the 2020 homeowner recipients. Their land (which was deeded over to Habitat Rabun before the build began) was cleared at the beginning of 2020. Then, COVID hit. And, the build site has been pretty much untouched. Normally the house is well underway by summer. COVID changed everything.
“Like so many, COVID has drastically impacted our funding at Habitat Rabun. Normally, we count on the proceeds from our ReStore to pay for one-quarter of each Habitat home. This year, ReStore has been closed for four months! That is a huge shortfall for us to make up. Also, ADA homes cost more to build, about 30 percent more,” explained Habitat President Pat Stueck. “Habitat believes in homes and communities. More than ever, we need our community to join us any way they can to ensure this home is built.”
Event Chair Barbara Anderson said, “We have moved our annual fundraiser, Raise the Roof, from July to September 14, hoping this will help our turnout, be it live or virtual. We need our local community’s support as never before to fund Allison and Daniel’s ADA home. And we have many ways people can help! You can buy a raffle ticket, make a monetary donation, volunteer to work on the home, make an in-kind donation to the home build, bid on one of our weekly auction items, and last but certainly not least, attend Raise the Roof. We want to offer a way for everyone to be involved.”
It’s easy this year to keep up with Habitat’s fundraising efforts. You can visit the Raise the Roof Event page at igfn.us/e/SE6fDA or text RAISEROOF to 41444. Not only can you view a video from Allison and Daniel, plus you can see the fundraising progress via a thermometer, and see different ways you can get involved. The event page is updated regularly, so check back often.
Raffle tickets are on sale now. You could win a week at an ocean view St. Simons Island Condo, which has an ocean view, two bedrooms, two baths, plus a pool and hot tub. Habitat Rabun would like to thank Scott Poss and Poss Realty for their generosity in donating this to Raise the Roof. To buy tickets, go to igfn.us/form/5bShzQ or text BEACHRAFFLE to 41444.
“Daniel and I are so thankful for the Habitat selection committee,” said Allison. “We are so grateful that they saw our need and trusted us to be partner homeowners. We appreciate the entire Habitat Board and volunteers who are working together to make this happen for us. We are also so grateful to everyone in the community who is helping us with our dream; you have no idea how much this means to us.”
“Like so many, COVID has drastically impacted our funding at Habitat Rabun. Normally, we count on the proceeds from our ReStore to pay for one-quarter of each Habitat home. This year, ReStore has been closed for four months! That is a huge shortfall for us to make up. Also, ADA homes cost more to build, about 30 percent more,” explained Habitat President Pat Stueck. “Habitat believes in homes and communities. More than ever, we need our community to join us any way they can to ensure this home is built.”