Realtors give huge gift to Habitat

Published 10:21 am Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Warren County Habitat for Humanity is richer thanks to the Vicksburg-Warren County Board of Realtors and area golfers.

The Realtors Tuesday presented Habitat with a $5,000 check raised through the proceeds from the Board of Realtors’ golf tournament, which is its annual fundraiser.

Jillean Bishop, Vicksburg-Warren County Board of Realtors executive, said Habitat was selected because of its work in building and repairing homes.

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“We have been giving Habitat a $5,000 check each year for four years,” she said. “Community is one of the core values for Realtors. Habitat helps the community by repairing and building homes for people.

“We have these old, dilapidated homes and they take them, repair them or build homes for people live in, and that’s very important for our community.”

Abraham Green, Warren County Habitat for Humanity director, said having a benefactor like the Board of Realtors is a plus.

“I feel good about it,” he said. “It shows people do care about low to moderate income families being able to have affordable housing.”

He said the money in the past has been used to renovate homes, but this year’s donation will be used to complete two homes Habitat is building on Roosevelt Street in Marcus Bottom.

Habitat has been in Warren County since 1991, he said, since then it has helped 26 families in the area. He said the organization uses volunteers and gets donations of building materials, and time from craftsmen like plumbers, electricians and carpenters.

Habitat sells the homes to the homeowner at cost through a 20-year mortgage. Green said Habitat helps the potential buyers work through the financing.

“It helps people to have a home,” he said. “It’s a very good feeling to be able to go someplace and know it’s yours.”

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

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