KNOXVILLE, TN (December 13, 2016) – Home Federal Bank and Knoxville Habitat for Humanity’s Home Maintenance Team were recently recognized with the 2016 “Sis” Awards at Knoxville Habitat’s annual Holiday Breakfast held at The Foundry on the Fair Site in Knoxville. This annual award is presented by Knoxville Habitat founder Ellen “Sis” Roddy Mitchell.
Home Federal Bank was honored for their longstanding partnership with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity. 2016 marks the bank’s 26th consecutive year as a covenant partner with Knoxville Habitat. Covenant Partners provide funding to help build a Habitat home plus significant manpower to aid in construction. Home Federal Bank is Knoxville Habitat’s longest-standing covenant partner.
“We are so grateful to have the continuous support of Home Federal Bank in this community,” said Knoxville Habitat for Humanity President and CEO Kelle Shultz. “Their generosity and commitment has forever changed the lives and futures of 26 hardworking families in Knoxville.”
Home Federal Bank will begin sponsorship of their 27th home in February 2017.
Knoxville Habitat for Humanity’s home maintenance class is one of many class offerings that make up the ministry’s homeowner education program. Before a qualified family or individual can build and purchase their home through Knoxville Habitat, they must first invest 500 hours of “sweat equity” – work that is acquired through homeowner education classes and volunteer service and helps to ensure the future homeowner(s) are prepared for homeownership.
The current home maintenance class was started by volunteer Dennis Jones, a local home maintenance professional and member of Bethel Baptist Church. Along with his business partner and fellow church members, Jones built modules as a more visual way to teach maintenance repairs in a classroom setting. Jones and his team consider their service as an opportunity to “show God’s love through helping homeowners.”
“The home maintenance class team empowers homeowners to independently handle repair situations in their home,” says Shultz. “These homeowners have most often come from a rental situation, so a need for repairs can be an intimidating or stressful new experience. With the knowledge gained in this class, homeowners can be more confident while also saving money.”