Spotlight On :: Archive
Summer 2006: Tracy Bryson
Winter 2005: Caleb Bell
Fall 2005: Amy Kee
Summer 2005: Jennifer Anderson
Spring 2005: Charlie Grimes
Winter 2004: Jerilyn Moore
Fall 2004: Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain
Summer 2004: Brooke Cowan
Leah Welbourn
Tracy Bryson
Summer 2006
Meet someone who stays busy behind the scenes ...Tracy Bryson, our webmaster. Tracy has been volunteering with us since the fall of 2001, doing lots of administrative work in the office with the homeowner files and keeping track of media releases and newspaper articles. She took over the website in August 2004, learning as she goes. Over the winter months, Tracy and the web design guys at Franklin’s identity inc. were busy constructing our new website, www.habitatwilliamson.org.
Originally from the Windsor, Ontario, Canada area, Tracy has lived in the U.S. for 11 years, with the last seven here in Franklin’s Fieldstone Farms neighborhood. Now an at-home mom, she used to work for the Vanguard Group mutual fund company in PA managing the business side of their websites for 401(k) plan sponsors and participants.
She met her husband, Grant, at Price Waterhouse in Mississauga, a suburb of Toronto, after completing an MBA at McMaster University in Hamilton. Grant has run the HabiTrot 5K most years. Son, Carter, is seven and in first grade; he ran in the inaugural Kid’s Fun Run this past Thanksgiving and is the kid wearing the orange hoodie in the website pictures. Daughter, Davis, is a busy four-year-old who attends preschool two days a week, allowing her mother to volunteer some of her free time.
When not volunteering with HFHWC, Tracy helps out in the elementary school office twice a month and most weekends are spent at Tims Ford Lake in Winchester, TN away from files and computers.
Tracy appreciates Habitat’s willingness over the years to accommodate both her daughter’s presence in the office as well as her doing most of her volunteer work from home the last three years. Embarrassing as it may be, Tracy admits that she has yet to visit, let alone volunteer, at a build site. Just one of the many things that will have to wait until her kids are older!
Caleb Bell
Winter 2005
Caleb Bell, a Nashville native, began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County in the summer of 2005 and has quickly become one of our most dedicated volunteers. Caleb ran his own business, a machine shop called Mefco, for years out of a building in Franklin and after retiring decided to lease the building. For some time Habitat had been looking to lease a building suitable to house a retail store (Renovation Station) to sell donated building materials and home décor. When the Mefco building became available Habitat jumped at the opportunity. Once the lease was signed, Caleb quickly volunteered his time and efforts both on Renovation Station’s steering committee and in preparing the building to house both the store and the Habitat offices.
Caleb has spent hours in the building cleaning up oil and grease and carrying away the remnants of the machine shop. He has helped collect donations of everything from appliances to cabinets to couches, all of which will be among the items available for the public to purchase once the store opens. His efforts have undoubtedly resulted in a sore back on more than one night, but Caleb is always there the next morning ready to do whatever is necessary to get Renovation Station ready to open. From putting up a new vent cover in the office to unloading refrigerators from the back of a truck, Caleb’s done a little of everything for Habitat, including donating items to be sold in the store.
Caleb’s time and work has been invaluable in getting the building prepped to open up as a store. In his time off from volunteering with Habitat, Caleb enjoys playing golf, helping his wife Beth at her business (Frames Unlimited in Franklin), and spending time with his family.
Amy Kee
Fall 2005
A CPA at Churchill Mortgage Company in her professional life, Amy Kee was first exposed to Habitat for Humanity as an outside auditor with the accounting firm of Lattimore, Black, Morgan and Cain (LBMC). Amy says, "I never knew much about Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County until I started auditing their office. Working with Laurie, Ermon and Mary was always very enjoyable. I could tell their hearts were really in the right place. Seeing this made we want to volunteer on my own." Amy soon began volunteering on the Family Support committee and as a support person for newly selected Habitat homeowners. As a family support person Amy partnered with a newly selected Habitat homeowner from the time of their selection until after their home was built. Amy worked to provide encouragement to the family, answer questions, and acted as a liaison between the family and the Habitat office.
Amy also quickly became involved as a volunteer on construction sites. Amy says that, "I’ve put up siding, caulked, painted, helped in framing the houses and hung doors. It’s amazing what you can learn to do in one afternoon." In 2004, Amy and her husband, Lorin, acted as a support team for homeowner Shelika Poynter and participated in the construction of her home.
In the spring and summer of 2005, Amy and Lorin volunteered as a support team for two families, and Amy agreed to take on the challenging role of Support Committee Chairman. Amy has already revamped Habitat’s Homeowner Manual and is working to improve the overall support program at HFHWC. Amy and Lorin also volunteered their time this summer at the Williamson County Fair, manning the Habitat booth, and this fall have become the support family for newly selected homeowner Wanda Coffee and her son Joshua.
Amy says, "Habitat is the most worthwhile charity that I’ve every been involved with. It’s fine to give money to a charity. But to actually be able to help out one-on-one with the families, to participate in the construction of their homes -- it makes it that much more rewarding."
Jennifer Anderson
Summer 2005
Jennifer Anderson has been co-chair for Brentwood United Methodist Church's yearly Habitat build for three years. Introduced to Habitat five years ago by Habitat board members Susan Thornton and Chris McClure, she quickly stepped into a leadership role. "When I first took the responsibility I had no idea what I was doing or where to start. I surrounded myself with an excellent team of volunteers ... We started to develop check lists of what needed to be done. Over the years, we have kept 90% of our team in place, which has turned into an excellent situation of stability for the BUMC build since we all have experience now."
Jennifer's first role as a volunteer was on a build site. She quickly learned that bored volunteers = unhappy volunteers, and as co-chair of BUMC's builds makes it her mission to keep other volunteers happy. "I love working with people and making volunteering fun ... Volunteers that have fun at a well-organized build site will come back year after year." Of working with Habitat Jennifer says, "I love working with an organization that is committed in helping people by giving them the 'tools' to take a step up in life ... this being done by education, mentoring, and setting a Christ-like example. I love hard work and being out in the fresh air, but my favorite part is seeing a child of the homeowner smile with tears of joy because hey finally get to love in a real home that their parents own and take pride in. Everyone should be given a chance in life!"
Born a "Navy kid" in San Diego, California, Jennifer has lived in Dallas, Houston, Nashville, Jackson (MS) and Rochester (NY). Jennifer and her husband Sean attend BUMC. Jennifer was in the travel and hospitality business for 15 years, and today works part-time for Brentview Realty. She says that, "Habitat last year helped me get through the toughest year of my life! In January 2004, I suffered from a deep bout of depression after quitting my job. It took me several months to recover and then in April 2004 it was time to plan for Habitat. I could hardly motivate myself on a daily basis. Habitat helped me recover from depression by helping others -- one of the best undiscovered therapies in the world! By focusing on helping others and getting involved, I truly feel that this organization helped me kick depression! I have depression, but I feel that I have control with the grace of God, to manage this illness."
Jennifer's volunteer interests extend beyond Habitat. She serves as the co-chair for BUMC's Homebound Ministry, organizing volunteers to visit church members that are shut-in or in nursing or skilled care facilities. Jennifer also volunteers on Fridays at McKendree Village Retirement Community visiting members of her church, and leading a trivia and prayer share in the afternoons.
"This year has been the best year and the best I have felt in 5-6 years! I always remember that God is good all the time and He will always be with you wherever you are!"
Charlie Grimes
Spring 2005
Charlie Grimes isn’t a volunteer you’re likely to see on a Habitat work site. Instead, Charlie has put his expertise and experience to use in the HFHWC office. A BellSouth retiree, Charlie now works as a valuation specialist for Huber & Lamb Appraisal Group. His computer expertise and dedication helps keep the Habitat Office staff going. Almost single-handedly Charlie assessed the most urgent computer needs of the office, updated what he could, and then set out to get the two oldest computers in the office replaced. He found a generous individual who gave $500 toward purchasing updated equipment then went to Franklin Computer where he purchased two refurbished computers. Charlie then spent several days installing the new computers, and ensuring that everything was functioning properly.
He’s been back to the office several times since then to troubleshoot and update computers in the office. Charlie’s time, effort, and expertise are invaluable to keeping the office staff running.
Jerilyn Moore
Winter 2004
Jerilyn Moore routinely volunteers her time and talents on Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County build sites. Jerilyn is a "siding specialist," and has been known to side one end of a house on her own by the end of the work day. More than a siding expert though, Jerilyn is a skilled carpenter and painter who can be counted on to do whatever might need to be done quickly and correctly. On any given build Jerilyn can also be seen taking other volunteers under her wing. By the end of the day volunteers who began the day completely unskilled are experts on cutting, putting up, and nailing siding.
At only 25 years old Jerilyn has worked on builds for Brentwood Baptist Church and the Gospel Music Association among numerous others. Most recently she worked to build the MidAmerica Region’s 7000th house on Park Street in Franklin.
Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain
Fall 2004
Over five weeks this summer the work of the employees of Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain, PC extended far beyond what is normally associated with CPAs. Staff from the company came out in droves to help Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County build a new home for the Sukhovestkiy family. Already a company dedicated to giving back to the community, LBMC decided to step things up a notch as part of their 20th Anniversary Celebration. Over 40 staff members put in almost 1000 hours in the summer heat with hammers, drills, and paintbrushes in their hands.
LBMC Director of Marketing Leisa Gill says that, "We have always been dedicated to serving our community, currently working with over 30 not-for-profit and community groups…It is the passion of the firm’s leadership and employees that makes this firm so unique." HFHWC Executive Director Ermon Lature agrees, "We’ll take any LBMC people that want to come back and help on another house. LBMC was a very dedicated group and we were impressed with those that came to help."
Brooke Cowan
Summer 2004
Brooke Cowen is one of Habitat’s most vibrant and energetic volunteers and has done more for the organization in her short time of involvement than many are able to do over years. Brooke is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from the University of Alabama Birmingham with a degree in Public Relations and Communications. Brooke has a background in non-profit fundraising, special events, marketing, and advertising, having worked for the United Way as well as the Kidney Foundation before tackling her latest career in real estate as an agent with Coldwell, Banker, Andrews & Associates. Brooke’s involvement with Habitat has been extensive and essential for the organization. She has not only volunteered on several committees, but she also listed two houses that the affiliate rehabilitated and sold pro-bono.
Brooke first became involved with Habitat in college when she worked on several houses in Birmingham with the local affiliate. After moving to Franklin, she met Susan Loudenslager, former president of the HFHWC Board of Directors, and accepted her invitation to join the 2003 HABItrot committee as the PR and Marketing Chair. Brooke’s work on publicity for the HABItrot directly contributed to the success of last fall’s race and she was subsequently asked to join the Board of Directors and will chair this year’s HABItrot committee. Diving in headfirst, Brooke also joined the Family Support committee as a Support Family for a new homeowner. "I love my family support partner, Ann," she says, "She works so hard and is so deserving of her upcoming home...It gives meaning to my life to help someone accomplish their goals by giving just a few hours of my time."
And Brooke’s involvement doesn’t stop with all of this. She takes time on the weekends to come out and pound nails with volunteers and homeowners on site. She describes herself as "hooked" on the work Habitat does and "the difference it makes in so many lives...not just Habitat homeowners. Volunteers get out there and see immediate results and do things they never thought they would be able to do. A bonus is learning about construction so I can know more than my husband." Brooke has lived in Franklin since 2002 with her husband Bobby and their two dogs, Jackson and Bear.
Leah Welbourn
Meet someone who made a difference ... in Williamson County and all the way between Virginia Beach, VA and Cannon Beach, OR!
Leah Welbourn is a college student from Brentwood, TN who was part of the summer 2005 "Bike and Build" program. Check out her bio, her journal, the Central U.S. route she travelled, and the "Bike and Build" mission at www.bikeandbuild.org. Her last journal entry was written July 13th, from Idaho City, Idaho and her ride ended July 24th.
****************************
An excerpt from the Summer 2005 Quarterly Newsletter:
"Leah Welbourn is spending her summer a little differently than most. The University of Virginia junior and Brentwood native is cycling across America as part of Bike and Build, a national program that helps raise money for and awareness about affordable housing. Leah raised over $4,000 and volunteered at a abitat build here in Williamson County before leaving for Virginia Beach on May 19th on her journey to Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Leah and her group sometimes cycle over 100 miles per day in sunshine and rain, and make frequent stops to help build Habitat houses and work on affordable housing projects along the way. Leah says that it's "neat to get to see the amazing things that are being done with all of the money that I raised ... I am learning about the cause more and more and I think it is truly beautiful to be able to serve families in this way."
Through all of the challenges that come with riding a bicycle all day, Leah says, "This experience is eaching me that God is truly all I need. Like that song I always listen to, I am learning how much the earth is filled with his glory."