2 weeks Ago
Tuscaloosa's Habitat for Humanity is working on its first women's build since COVID-19, with plans to dedicate the home to Terry Saban. "We are building this in honor of Terry Saban and all that she has done for Habitat Tuscaloosa, but also for our entire community and our entire state," Executive Director Ellen Potts said. During their time in Tuscaloosa, the Sabans sponsored 21 homes, with the most recent being the 'LANK' house.
They also donated over $13 million to the local community. Potts said they decided to honor Miss Terry with the home after former Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement. "They have sponsored 21 habitat homes, and so when Coach Saban retired, we thought, what can we do to honor that kind of generosity? That's 21 houses, 21 families whose lives have been changed generationally moving forward," Potts said.
Those 21 houses will be honored with two more dedications, one for Nick Saban and the current women's build for his wife, Terry Saban. Potts said most of the construction on Miss Terry's home will be done by women, but anyone is allowed to help build. "More than 90% of the volunteers on this home have been women and will be women," she said.
To finish the home by the Nov. 26 dedication, Habitat is in need of more volunteers. Potts encourages you to get a group together and pick a day to come help.
"We hope that women that will get their church group, civic group, a group from their office to come and volunteer for a day," Potts said. "Especially if your boss is an Alabama fan, or if you're the boss and you're an Alabama fan, or even if you're in Auburn fan, we hope that people will come out and volunteer with us. Come dedicate these two house and thank the Sabans for the blessing that they have been both on and off the field.
" Getting a group from the office together and volunteering is exactly what some ladies from Local Bank did. Sophia Hengar and her co-workers spent their Tuesday putting up insulation, painting, spackling and sanding this new home. "We're super excited to be helping with homes," Hengar said.
"I think what's so special is there are families that this changes their lives." Hengar is right. Miss Terry's home will go to LaPorchia Mitchell and her 1-year-old son.
Mitchell currently serves as an in-school suspension monitor in the Tuscaloosa County School System. "She is working with some of our most at-risk young people," Potts said. Hengar's team is grateful for the opportunity to help after hearing the future homeowner's story.
"A girl and her son are going to be moving in, and she's a single mom. She's studying to get her master's in teaching to be a kindergarten teacher. Hearing the story is just so special, and being able to help with that is fantastic," she said.
As an Alabama football fan, it means even more to Mitchell to be receiving the house honoring Miss Terry. "She loves Miss Terry, she loves Coach Saban, and she's so excited that she's going to be the recipient of Miss Terry's house," Potts said. Mitchell will receive the keys to her new home at the dedication on Nov.
26. If you'd like to volunteer to help build this home, visit the Habitat for Humanity Tuscaloosa website ..
