Home + Garden with a Heart - Habitat Helps Moore Tornado Victims

Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity Helps Moore Tornado Victims

In Moore, Oklahoma, a place devastated by a tornado that destroyed nearly 1,200 homes, killed 23 people and injured 377, Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity is providing help and hope. And as the 2014 Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show feature charity, show visitors can provide hope too.

Click here and save $2 on tickets with code: HABITAT

In spring of 2014, Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity plans to build at least 10 houses in Moore. Not only will the Habitat homes help bring life back into the city, they will also help many of the families who previously rented build equity through homeownership. And that fact makes Habitat for Humanity executive director Linda Banta very excited.

“The families in Moore have been through so much,” said Banta. “We are thrilled to not only help them rebuild their lives, but also help them achieve a piece of the American Dream.  About 80 percent of our families were previously renting, and now they get to help build their own homes. It’s a really exciting time for them – and us.”

Banta says research shows that children who grow up in homes owned by their parents are more likely to go on to college. The organization is looking forward to teaching future generations about the value of homeownership and providing them a safe, warm place to call home.

Volunteers from all over the United States will converge in Moore to help Habitat for Humanity and the homeowners with the effort.

“Volunteers call us nearly every day to help with our houses,” Banta said. “We have out-of-state university students joining us in the spring and a group from RV Care-A-Vanners who travel to solely to help Habitat for Humanity coming in March. We’ve noticed a big upsurge in our volunteer base since the storms, and we are inspired by how supportive the entire country has been.”

Banta is still looking for a tornado shelter company to help provide shelters at a discounted price.

“We definitely want to provide the shelters so our families are safe if another tornado does come through.  We’re currently looking for a shelter company to provide shelters so we can still keep the homes affordable for the homeowners.”

You can help Habitat for Humanity and the Moore homeowners too! Cleveland County Habitat will be selling tickets to the Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show in their ReStore with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the organization. Tickets can also be purchased online using promo code HABITAT. Attend the Show January 17-19, and stop by the Habitat for Humanity booth number 1723 to purchase tickets for a chance to win a beautiful playhouse (pictured on the right). For a small donation, children can also paint and decorate a wooden birdhouse.

“We are excited to participate in the Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show to help raise much needed funds,” Banta added. “But this will also be a really good opportunity to raise awareness about Habitat for Humanity and remind everyone how rewarding helping others can be. We hope attendees will stop by our booth to learn more about how they can help - whether they are handy at swinging a hammer or not, there’s projects for everyone to do!”