UC Habitat Breaks Ground On First Overton Home

Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity will break ground Saturday on its first home in Overton County.

The Habitat organizations in Putnam and Overton Counties formed a regional partnership in 2019. Executive Director Pam Ealey said people are invited to attend at 10:00 a.m. on Thomas Road.

“We are going to be breaking ground on a home for Brandi Martin and her son,” Ealey said. “And this is our 86th home, but it is actually the sixth habitat home to be built in Overton. It is our first home in Overton County.”

Ealey said the event will have a blessing for the Martin family with a shovel strike beginning work for a future home.

“We invite a pastor, and we pray over the property and pray for safety and just this will be a piece of property that provides this family a home for them to grow in to what all God intends for them to be,” Ealey said. “Just a little celebration, and we will do the official photograph and breaking ground with the shovel. I know it is a busy time with the holidays, and on Saturday, everybody is out trying to get some Christmas shopping done. If you have 15 minutes, it would really touch your heart.”

Only the foundation will be installed this winter with a Spring construction date. Ealey said the organization is still searching for volunteers and sponsors for the project.

“We are working on that right now,” Ealey said. “We have some funds in the bank already, but we are accepting sponsors. Anybody interested in sponsoring is more than welcome to call me at our office. We have a Livingston office too. 823-1709, or you can call the Cookeville office 528-1711. We are also looking for volunteers. We are not ready to set the schedule. We want to see how COVID goes in February March. I would anticipate us starting it by late March if not sooner. We definitely want volunteers from the community, because it takes the community to build the homes.”

Ealey said Martin has been in Habitat’s program over a year and has completed all requirements to take on the home’s affordable mortgage.