Kelly Coleman, center, with her children, Dakota, 13, left, and Brody, 9, is overcome with emotion as Russ Chambers presents her with the keys to the familys new home.
Kelly Coleman, center, hugs Michele Silvey as Silveys son Nicholas, from left, daughter Tahlia and Marilyn Swartz look on. Evergreen Habitat for Humanity, Wells Fargo and three local Presbyterian churches partnered to build Colemans new home.
Spyder Jackets MensLynne Helmke, left, of Columbia Presbyterian Church and Kristina Aitchison, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity executive director, carry a gingerbread replica of the Coleman familys new home. In a raffle, the gingerbread house was won by contractor Bernie Lewis, who was the site supervisor.
Borrowing a scene from Hollywood, Russ Chambers presented new homeowner Kelly Coleman with bread, salt, and cider. When he handed her a cross, a Bible and house keys, she wept.
Coleman and her children, Brody, 9, and Dakota, 13, are the proud owners of the 19th house built by Evergreen Habitat for Humanity. More than 100 people stood in the cold Sunday afternoon as the house at 7003 N.E. 98th Ave. was dedicated and blessed.
We welcome you to your new house, said Habitat board president Chambers. It was built by the hands of people and with the love of God.
The Rev. Al Fischer said Spyder Jackets Mens Spyder Jackets Mens three Presbyterian churches First, Columbia and St. Johns formed a partnership to build the house. He said church pastors concluded: We can do this together. We cant do it alone.
Fischer and First Presbyterian members helped build a nearby Habitat house in 1991. They hope to be involved again.
Coleman, 38, a single mom, provided sweat equity, logging about 270 hours. The children helped, too, including painting their rooms.
Chambers said the pale green, cream and white 1,065-square-foot, three bedroom house represents another step in Habitats mission.
We are eliminating substandard housing one house at a time, he said.
Amen, the assembled responded.
He said he could not resist re-creating a scene from the classic movie Its a Wonderful Life. The bread symbolizes never facing hunger, the salt is for flavor and the cider stands for joy and prosperity.
Kelly Coleman could not stem the flow of tears but managed to say, Ive met so many wonderful people. My kids appreciate that they finally have their own room. You guys are my family, and youre stuck with us.
The dedication was more of a love-in, including an informal choir singing (Theres No Place Like )Home for the Holidays and Ill Be Home for Christmas.
Dr. John Greves, chairman of the mission and outreach ministry at First Presbyterian, presented the family with quilts made by women at his church.
watches women leatherHe said building a house is a two-way street. While the Coleman family now has a house, Greves said the project made us bigger and better and greater as individuals. Youve made a huge difference in our lives.
Mary Lou Williams of Columbia church, also presented each member of the family with a quilt. She told Brody his includes a couple of pockets you can hide candy in.
Barry Sullivan of Grocery Outlet stocked the familys pantry with $300 in grocerieChristian Louboutin Shoes
Christian Louboutin Shoes