The Scotts - Alicia, Taylor, and Logan

The Scott story and their involvement with Habitat is simply great. Alicia's 10 year marriage ended almost three years ago, and she was suddenly a single mother of two (Taylor is now 13, Logan is 6).

“I decided that I wasn’t going to let it [the divorce] ruin my life,” Alicia said. “I want to show my girls that no matter what life throws at you, you can't let it stop you from following your dreams and turning your life around.”

Alicia began working as a special education teachers assistant in her town, and has decided to return to school full-time to earn her teaching degree. If you're counting, that's three full-time gigs: parent, teaching assistant, and student. She’s excited, nervous, scared, overwhelmed, and full of many other emotions at this point, but most of all she’s ready to take this next step in her life.

“I know having a home will change many things for them [my girls] and give them the self confidence they need to feel like they are like other kids,” Alicia said. “This home will mean the world to us.”

A comfortable, safe, energy efficient home

As always, I was thrilled to be invited to the dedication of a home that (unfortunately) I wasn't able to put any work into myself. I got the tour from Mark Patton, Iowa Valley Habitat's Executive Director--dual flush toilet, thermoplastic PEX plumbing (neat stuff), energy recovery ventilation system (even neater)--and got an immediate offer from 6 year old Logan to take the giant bag of games off my hands. Luckily, she was fine with waiting until the official presentation during the ceremony.

Mark Patton presenting the house keys!

The moment that brought everyone to the brink of tears, however, was the presentation of Logan's new bicycle. Taylor already had a bike, so she declined a new one. But Logan had never owned a bike before. When they brought it upstairs and set it in front of her, she just stared at it for a full five or six seconds, speechless. And only then she buried her face in her hands and started to cry.

I do need to point out that the game bag was of course very well received. Every kid, and half the adults, in the house paused to peer inside with raised eyebrows as they passed, and Alicia immediately announced that "we're gamers!" when I gave them the bag. They received Clue, Twilight the Board Game, a Carmen Santiago game, Family Cranium, and several brand new games generously provided to Gamers for Humanity by our friends at Out of the Box Games--Word on the Street, 10 Days in the Americas, and 7 Ate 9.

A little blurry, sorry about that.

I was reminded once again exactly how good Habitat for Humanity is for the people they help. No-interest mortgages, sweat-equity in place of a downpayment, and a comfortable energy efficient home in a welcoming neighborhood. Truly one of my favorite organizations. And this crew worked double-time, starting the Scott's house in September, and moving them in the day before Thanksgiving.

Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone. The Scott family will.

-Tom

DONATE NOW
Help us continue to help families like the Kettlers