The Belltower
Samford University
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December 26, 2008
Samford Sponsors Special Habitat Holiday Project
For the sixth consecutive year, Samford University supported a special "home for the holidays" project with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate and the local ABC television affiliate.
About 50 student and employee volunteers worked Dec. 6 on a house for Birmingham-area resident Jocelyn Williams and her 4-year-old daughter Jaelyn as part of a special promotion for 10 corporate sponsors to build a house in 10 days as a holiday gift to the homeowner.
Samford is one of two corporate sponsors, along with Birmingham-based Compass Bank, to participate every year in the special "home for the holidays" project with Habitat and ABC 33/40.
Samford students and employees annually raise several thousand dollars to support Habitat.
Williams, a Birmingham native, graduated from Fairfield Preparatory High School and is a teller manager for Regions Bank. She and Jaelyn attend Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfield.
"This is dream come true," Williams told a crowd of well-wishers at a Dec.18 dedication ceremony. "The wonderful volunteers have made something happen that I never dreamed would be possible."
W. Randall Pittman, Samford’s vice president for university relations, represented the university on the dedication program. The university presented a family Bible as a housewarming gift for the Williams family.
"Samford is proud to participate in this program because our mission and Habitat’s mission are so closely tied," Pittman said. "May God’s word be your guiding light in your new home."
Emily Sparks, communication and event specialist in Samford’s alumni relations office, coordinated this year’s "home for the holidays" project. Campus Dining, Inc., provided lunches for the Samford and Habitat volunteers on their work day.
