Putnam County Habitat for Humanity (HFH) held a groundbreaking ceremony last Wednesday at 109 Nicks Way, near the Ingles grocery store in Eatonton.
The land for the construction was donated by Farmers and Merchants Bank in Eatonton and Bill Gower with the bank stressed that strictly by coincidence it lies immediately beside the impending new homeowner’s parents’ house.
“We just had this land and we wanted to donate it to Habitat,” Gower said. “That was about a year ago and at that time we had no idea, and I don’t think they (HFH) had any idea who would eventually live here at that time, so yes, it’s just a complete coincidence that Camille and her mother will be next-door neighbors.”
Camille Hyman, a certified clinical medical assistant for Dr. Nicolas Chronos with Lake Country Medical Group, said she feels “blessed” and “very thankful” about eventually moving in beside her mom and dad. Hyman was joined at the groundbreaking ceremony by her mother Angela, sister Kendra, sister-in-law Mariah and younger brother Zedrick, who also helped contribute service hours with HFH as part of Hyman’s obligation to the organization before receiving a home to be paid off through an interest-free mortgage.
She also held in her arms 20-month-old Carmoni Thurman, her daughter who will live with her in the new HFH home once it’s completed this fall, weather permitting.
Prior to the official groundbreaking, which took place on an already cleared lot awaiting the arrival of local HFH builder Clark Harper and his crew, Putnam HFH board chair Bucky Kahl also announced local lumber producer Interfor, on Dennis Station Road, had committed to providing lumber for the build.
“When we get donations as we did from Farmers and Merchants Bank, that significantly reduces our cost, as does the generosity of Interfor,” Kahl said in his opening remarks. “And this will be the eighth house that Clark (Harper) has built for us and that’s really significant.”
Kahl then singled out Doug Turner, who gave a blessing at the groundbreaking, for leading a group of Cuscowilla homeowners who banded together to pay for the roof of Hyman’s soon-to-be home. He also mentioned electrician Clay Lloyd had recently approached HFH with an unsolicited offer to help and Lloyd’s company will do all the electrical work on Nick's Way and Wilson Bryant Air Conditioning (WBAC) will handle all of the home’s HVAC needs.
“Camille, this is a very special moment for you and for your family and we want to thank you for everything you’ve contributed to Habitat with over 250 hours of time towards building your house,” Putnam HFH Executive Director Murali Thirumal said shortly before handing out ceremonial shovels to Hyman, Gower, Turner, Lloyd, Eatonton Mayor John Reid and several others. “And with that, I’m going to ask you if there’s anything you’d like to say.”
Hyman repeated that she feels “thankful” and “very fortunate” to have been selected for the opportunity to own a home through Habitat for Humanity and thanked everyone in attendance for coming.
She later recalled seeing a Habitat ad in The Messenger about a year ago, soliciting applications to become a Habitat-build recipient.
“I went and got the application from Farmers and Merchants, and then I called the number that was listed for Habitat and talked to Murali,” Hyman said. “But then I did have a minor setback because I was in a car accident, so I kind of started late in the process.
“But I kept my faith. I didn’t give up at that time, and I kept pushing,” she added. “And now I’m so glad I did. I can’t thank everyone enough for this opportunity.”