Habitat for Humanity to celebrate another dream come true

A Lebanon man's Christmas dream will come true a bit early this year when he takes possession of the precious metal in a key to his new home.
                                
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville's Wilson Division will conclude its 2012 build season Saturday at 2 p.m. with a dedication ceremony for new Habitat homeowner Larry Jobe at 417 Hobbs Ave. in Lebanon. This brings the number of Habitat homes built in Wilson County to 56.

“We are so proud of Larry,” said Habitat's Wilson County Division Director Tory Tredway. “He has worked diligently since early this year to go through our program and prepare himself to be a responsible homeowner. He has done all that we have asked. Because of his humble and grateful attitude, he has been a joy to work with. We are also thankful for the many sponsors and volunteer groups that have participated in this ‘Community Build.'”

Jobe has undergone adversity and put in a lot of work in order to become a homeowner.

Habitat officials said he had to drop out of college from lack of resources and then was injured in a car accident three months before he was to become a father.

Uncertain that he would ever walk again, Jobe became depressed. Then he found “God’s Way,” a Bible-based recovery program, regaining his health and ability to walk. He heard about the Habitat program at the Wilson County Fair. He is currently involved in youth ministry at Market Street Church of Christ and enrolled in Volunteer State Community College to become a counselor.

Tredway said the home build wouldn't have been possible without the kindness and generosity of Habitat’s sponsor donors, including a gift from an anonymous donor, who funded the lot purchase and provided a $30,000 sponsorship challenge grant.

Build sponsors who helped make Jobe's dream of homeownership a reality include Bridgestone America,
First Tennessee Bank, Payment Express in partnership with Sage Payment Solutions and Spectra Energy Corp.

"Leaders and employees from the Bridgestone Distribution Center in Wilson County were responsible for their sponsorship of this house," Tredway said. "Employees of First Tennessee have sponsored several Habitat homes in Davidson County, but this is their first sponsorship in Wilson County."

Volunteer groups that stepped up to the plate for this community build included Cumberland University – Sigma Chi Nu, the family and friends of Larry Jobe, Permobil and Market Street Church of Christ.

For more information about the Wilson Division of Habitat for Humanity, contact Tredway at 615-453-4539.

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.