By Gary Lloyd
GRAYSON VALLEY — Habitat for Humanity partner Traci Sanders will be presented the keys to a new home on Monday, Oct. 6 at 3 p.m., thanks to support from local Walmart stores.
More than 250 associates from 27 local Walmart and Neighborhood Market stores have volunteered over the last two weeks so Sanders can become a new homeowner. Since the home began Sept. 19, Walmart associates have contributed almost 2,000 hours to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham to build the home. When Sanders receives the keys to her new home, she and her 5-year-old daughter Toriah will also receive a bookcase stocked with books, thanks to a new partnership.
Traci Sanders and her daughter, Toriah
photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham
Habitat Birmingham has launched a partnership with the Literacy Council of Central Alabama, Better Basics, and 2nd & Charles Bookstore to provide books to families purchasing homes through Habitat’s housing program. The Sanders family will be the first family to benefit from the collaboration, and the family will receive a starter library in the home with books customized to the ages and reading levels of each family member.
“Owning my own home affords my daughter and me freedom to be independent,” Sanders said. “This is a dream come true. My desire for us to have our own home is no longer just a dream, but reality. Thank you for helping my dream continue. Thank you also to the new book partners. My daughter and I are both excited about the starter library, and I look forward to sharing reading time with her in our new home.”
The Sanders home is the 22nd home built by Habitat Birmingham since January.
In honor of World Habitat Day on Oct. 6, organizations are partnering with Habitat Birmingham to help draw attention to the continued need for affordable housing in the community and around the world.
The new home is located at 5036 Vernon St. in Birmingham. Sanders is a graduate of Midfield High School and the University of Phoenix, where she earned a degree in accounting. She is currently working toward a degree in human services and was recently inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Sanders works as an account representative at Portfolio Recovery Associates and attends The Rock Church.
Toriah is in kindergarten at Restoration Academy. She likes reading, singing, and attending Doers of the Word Church with her dad, where she is active on the praise team.
Contact Gary Lloyd at news@trussvilletribune.com and follow him on Twitter @GaryALloyd.
