Manatee Habitat's 125th Home Dedication took place June 18th, 2016 at 1180 3rd Ave. W., in Palmetto. Shambria Smith and her two daughters Reniya, 5 and Paris, 3, are the proud new homeowners. Shambria has put in over 300 hours of labor with Manatee County Habitat for Humanity.
The dedication was a wonderful representation of the community that comes together to build a Habitat home. In attendance at the dedication were Habitat Board members and volunteers, family and friends of Shambria, Bealls employees who sponsored the home and provided volunteer labor, next door neighbor Mrs. Jefferson, also a recipient of Habitat services, and future Habitat homebuyers.
This home was made possible by Bealls, Inc., which sponsored this project through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP). This program allows Florida businesses to put their tax dollars to work in their community. Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc., a dedicated partner of Habitat, provided a grant of $35,000 to complete Shambria's new home.
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Shambria's Story
Shambria is a single parent and is employed full time by United Cerebral Palsy, where she has worked for the past two years. Shambria has been persistent in pursuing the dream of owning her own home. She came to our organization in 2013, and applied, but didn’t meet all of the requirements. She worked hard to qualify and is now a proud Habitat homeowner. Shambria is the perfect example of "where there is a will, there is a way."
Shambria has attended classes, accumulated her escrow money and completed her hours on the job site. As a matter of fact, if you ever saw her on the job site, you would know that she's not a quitter. She has worked on her home tirelessly; from the inside of the home, to the outside and even on the roof, Shambria was there to do what needed to be done.
Congratulations, Shambria, Reniya, and Paris!
Pictured top: Shambria and daughters Reniya, 5 and Paris, 3. Pictured bottom: Shambria with Joe DesRosier, Director of Central Operations for Bealls, with Shambria at the dedication. Bealls gave us 34 employees who worked 209 hours on Shambria's house.