Since 2001, the Nativity Knights of Columbus Father Sikora Council #7992, in partnership with the Appalachian Construction Crew, Inc—a Christian non-profit organization—have built 24 homes for families living below the poverty level in the heart of Appalachia. Thanks to your prayers and generous contributions, we built our 25th home for a family in need this year!
Testimonial From the Creekmore Family
Recipients of Nativity’s 25th Home in Appalachia
Hello Friends,
I hope this letter finds everyone well. I am so happy to be writing you from the Creekmore home. Our home. Something we have always dreamed of having. Until now, it seemed as though it would never be a reality. It has always seemed there were many obstacles and setbacks throughout my life to prevent it. From growing up poor, to being an adult struggling in a community where good paying jobs are non existent, and opportunities are very scarce.
Since our son was born, my husband and I had longed for a safe and secure home for him. There is always a lot of insecurity and uncertainty when renting homes and property belonging to other people. There is always the worry you may have to move, and there has always been issues in every home we’ve ever lived, making them less than ideal.
Now, when we go to bed at night, we rest easy knowing our house is secure and safe. We don’t have to worry about the things we used to, like electrical wires and heaters catching fire. We don’t have to worry about having to move as a decision of someone else. Now, our son has a place he can always call home. Even when he is grown, he will have a house to come back to, should he choose to.
It’s easy to lose sight of the good in the world sometimes and your faith in humanity. You are all proof that there is still good in the world and good people do still exist, though, through the grace of God. He evidences himself in our lives daily. With God’s help my husband is in recovery from an addiction that had him in bonds for many years. And I know it was God who sent all of you to help us. For that, we will forever be grateful. You invested your time, energy, and efforts into helping us, total strangers. We will forever be in awe of the deed you all did for us, and could never put into words just how grateful we are and how much you blessed us. We pray the Lord blesses all of you always.
With Sincere Gratitude,
The Creekmore Family
Thank you for your support!
On behalf of the Knights of Columbus, the Appalachian Construction Crew of Omaha, NE, and the Creekmore family of three, we want to thank the Nativity family for their tremendous outpouring of support that made this home building effort possible. With the combined donations from Nativity, the Knights, and personal donations, our contributions totaled over $120,000, not including a truck load of household items provided by the Nativity family. With slightly under $10,000 raised from Omaha, the combined crews were able to again build a home for a very needy family. Good Shepherd Chapel selected the family. The Creekmore family clearly had some challenges. The family had a combined income of around $16,000 and lived in a trailer with significant mold, leaks, and electrical issues. This was the 25th home where Nativity and the Knights partnered with the Appalachian Construction Crew.
From May 31st to June 12th, the combined crews were able to complete the home with two of those days dedicated to travel. The Nativity crew was composed of 21 knights; Omaha sponsored 9 that included a support crew to help with feeding the Crew. Weather was ideal during the entire build; with the larger crew, we were able to finish the home a day earlier. Local electrical, heating/air conditioning, and plumbing contractors worked at night to ensure the home was ready for critical inspections. Early Tuesday, we completed hanging all the sheetrock and applied the first coat on most of the joints and cleaned up the site for the house blessing. Literally, we completed all this work, exterior construction and interior rough-in, in 5 1⁄2 days. We had the house blessing on Tuesday afternoon led by Father Simpson of Kentucky. Normally we present the keys to the family at a dinner hosted by the crew, but because of Covid sensitivity, we presented the keys to the family at the house blessing and told them of all the household items that we brought from Nativity. The family was overwhelmed with the outpouring of help and the caring from the Nativity family. Bert and Angi, the parents, were in tears when they received the keys and Bert spoke on how their new home would change their lives and that their new home was a gift from God. They also made the effort to personally thank everyone. Throughout the build effort, the family provided refreshments and desserts every day and Bert helped with the roofing.
On Wednesday morning, the first crew departed, and the finishing crew took over. From Wednesday through Sunday, our Nativity finishing crew of eight, with Omaha’s three, stayed to do all the finishing. The finishing team completed all the drywall finishing, painting, hanging doors, trimming, and installing kitchen cabinets. The finishing crew left on Monday. All final inspections were completed by June 19th, and appliances and new beds provided by Nativity were delivered soon after. Pending installation of a new power supply for their neighborhood, the family will move in before July 7.
May God bless you all for your caring and generosity!
