Community Rallies to Provide fully furnished homes and invites community to home dedications on July 17 at 6:30 pm in Blue Ridge
Following six months of displacement resulting the total destruction of their homes during the December 26 tornado that ripped through Blue Ridge in northeast Collin County, two families are ready to unlock the doors to their brand new and fully furnished homes.
On July 17 at 6 pm Christ Fellowship in McKinney will host the dedication of the Santillano and Gonzalez homes at 11848 County Road 670, Blue Ridge, Texas 75424.
Shawn Bailey, Pastor First Baptist Church Blue Ridge shares, "Our town was at the end of a long line of destruction. It destroyed homes and took the life of a precious 3-day old baby girl. Not only people from our community, but literally thousands of miles away descended to help pick up the pieces and try to restore what was lost in the storm.”
Bailey goes on to say, “It has been our privilege to get to be a small part of helping to restore the Gonzalez and Santillano families. As we conclude the housing and household items part of that restoration, we acknowledge the deep loss of life, and look forward to the day that we stand in the presence of Christ and see the family united again.”
First Baptist Church of Blue Ridge and personal Go Fund Me accounts raised the initial $45,500 towards the homes, but $65,000 was still needed to complete the projects.
When presented with the need, the people of Christ Fellowship gave above and beyond what was needed to replace the destroyed homes with new manufactured homes the need was met generously within four days.
Having acquired the funds the restoration effort coordinator, Bob Hansen, began sourcing vendors. Hansen began communications with Trinity Homes in Abilene, Texas. Jill Robertson of Trinity Homes was so moved by the generosity of our community and the stories of the two families that they offered to provide the homes at cost forgoing any profit from the sale.
"We, at Trinity Homes, are blessed to be part of such an amazing story of our community coming together to help families that were in need of housing. The selfless acts of everyone involved warms our heart. This is another example of good people doing the right thing and it is why we are in the home sales business," said Jill Robertson of Trinity Homes.
The home manufacturer, Clayton Manufactured Homes in Bonham gave both families the opportunity to visit the manufacturing facility to select exterior colors, floor coverings, counter tops, cabinets, walls – all the things that it takes to make a house a home. This was an exciting experience for both families.
In addition to replacing the homes, financial gifts, discounted purchases and furnishing donations have come from the community. Love UR Bed in McKinney sold beds and bedroom furnishings at cost. Habitat for Humanity ReStore in McKinney donated several pieces of furnishings free of charge in support of the effort.
Given the extent of the damage to the properties and related utilities at the home sites, various tradesmen were needed in preparation of and subsequent delivery of the homes. Paul Norris, Christ Fellowship facilities director called upon his personal business friends who gladly donated their services and materials to restore the infrastructures.
Christ Fellowship’s C4 Men teamed together to build decks, the rear steps and install skirting onsite of both homes.
A group of young high school students from Christ Fellowship volunteered to load and move furnishings into the new homes while others placed items and made both homes "ready to live in" once the new homeowners unlock their doors for the first time.
Bob Hansen, Christ Fellowship Community Impact Ministry team member shares, "The Lord is so good. Through His guidance I have witnessed first hand a truly humbling experience in the way that so many people wanting to be the hands and feet of Christ have rallied to help unknown folks in our own backyard - no strings attached. After all, we are simply giving back what He (God) has given us. It has truly been a blessing to get to know both families. We wish both families many years of happiness in their new homes.”
Watch the families’ reactions to hearing the news about their new homes for the first time here: http://www.cfhome.org/blueridge
For media coverage, contact Krista Williamson at kwilliamson@cfhome.org or 512.633.0422.
Christ Fellowship is a non-denominational multicultural church in McKinney where 2,000 people attend each week, reaching people of all age groups and backgrounds.