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While a student in law school at Emory University in Atlanta, our daughter, Susan, met this lovely elderly couple in church and they became good friends.
They were very active in Habitat for Human-ity in Atlanta, where the program really took root. This is a program that provides affordable housing for needy families. Several years ago while visiting Susan in Atlanta, she asked this couple to entertain us until she got off work.
They took us around the city, proudly showing us various Habitat projects: the first home built, the 100th, the 1,500th worldwide, side-by-side residences completed by students from Emory University and Georgia Tech, a house that was built by a contractor in 24 hours and a complex of 20 homes completed within a week in which President Carter was a participant. They spoke with pride of their involvement in many of these projects.
While visiting friends, they usually share what they are most proud of: their beautiful home, a new car, boat, pool or garden. For this delightful couple, both gone now, it was what they had been able to do for others.
During the 1992 presidential campaign, Bill Clinton’s campaign troop was working on a Habitat project in Atlanta. It was Clinton’s birthday, 18 years ago tomorrow. Susan’s friends had asked her to serve lunch for the party, including Rosalind Carter, Tipper Gore and Hillary Clinton. Sandwiches were served, and one of the ladies had prepared a homemade birthday cake for Clinton.
Susan said the big hit for the young campaign workers was the homegrown tomatoes. During the event, Mrs. Clinton had to console her daughter Chelsea, who had mashed her finger helping with the work. I don’t recall seeing any press coverage of this since it was during the Republican National Convention, but I do remember reports that Clinton was late returning to Little Rock for his birthday party.
Susan had done some pro bono work for Habitat and met her husband indirectly through this program. At a birdhouse fundraiser for Habitat organized by another friend, she bought a handmade birdhouse crafted from copper.
She sent a note of thanks to its creator, thinking he was some sweet old gentleman. Scott thought the note came from some sweet old lady until they were introduced some time later. We now have two grandchildren as a result of that birdhouse. Their meeting was reported in one of Habitat founder Millard Fuller’s books.
To date, the Neosho Habitat for Humanity chapter has placed 12 families in a new or remodeled home. This is a worthy endeavor which warrants our support.
Roy Shaver writes a weekly column for the Daily News.
While a student in law school at Emory University in Atlanta, our daughter, Susan, met this lovely elderly couple in church and they became good friends.
They were very active in Habitat for Human-ity in Atlanta, where the program really took root. This is a program that provides affordable housing for needy families. Several years ago while visiting Susan in Atlanta, she asked this couple to entertain us until she got off work.
They took us around the city, proudly showing us various Habitat projects: the first home built, the 100th, the 1,500th worldwide, side-by-side residences completed by students from Emory University and Georgia Tech, a house that was built by a contractor in 24 hours and a complex of 20 homes completed within a week in which President Carter was a participant. They spoke with pride of their involvement in many of these projects.
While visiting friends, they usually share what they are most proud of: their beautiful home, a new car, boat, pool or garden. For this delightful couple, both gone now, it was what they had been able to do for others.
During the 1992 presidential campaign, Bill Clinton’s campaign troop was working on a Habitat project in Atlanta. It was Clinton’s birthday, 18 years ago tomorrow. Susan’s friends had asked her to serve lunch for the party, including Rosalind Carter, Tipper Gore and Hillary Clinton. Sandwiches were served, and one of the ladies had prepared a homemade birthday cake for Clinton.
Susan said the big hit for the young campaign workers was the homegrown tomatoes. During the event, Mrs. Clinton had to console her daughter Chelsea, who had mashed her finger helping with the work. I don’t recall seeing any press coverage of this since it was during the Republican National Convention, but I do remember reports that Clinton was late returning to Little Rock for his birthday party.
Susan had done some pro bono work for Habitat and met her husband indirectly through this program. At a birdhouse fundraiser for Habitat organized by another friend, she bought a handmade birdhouse crafted from copper.
She sent a note of thanks to its creator, thinking he was some sweet old gentleman. Scott thought the note came from some sweet old lady until they were introduced some time later. We now have two grandchildren as a result of that birdhouse. Their meeting was reported in one of Habitat founder Millard Fuller’s books.
To date, the Neosho Habitat for Humanity chapter has placed 12 families in a new or remodeled home. This is a worthy endeavor which warrants our support.
Roy Shaver writes a weekly column for the Daily News.
