NFL star helps Habitat give single mom a new home

On Saturday morning, Houston County Habitat for Humanity raised the first wall on its newest build as many gathered on the future home’s lot to participate in, or to simply witness, the moment. The building of this home captured major attention because not only was Habitat doing what they’ve done for so many other Houston County citizens, but also because their efforts were given a boost by others who made sizeable monetary and in-kind donations so that the house could be completed sooner.

The owner of the new home is Chimere Jones, a single mother of two boys who is an alumnus of Perry High School and is very vocal about her love for the city in which she was born and raised.

“I think I lived outside of Perry one time in my life. It was only for a short time. I couldn’t stay away. I had to come back. I just love Perry,” Jones said through laughter. “This is where I belong. This is where all of my family is. It was hard not being here for that time I was away.”

During her most formative years, Jones grew up feeling as though she never truly had a place to call home. By the time she was 17 years old, she had moved 19 times. Owning her own home once seemed impossible, but because of this new build, her sons would be allowed the stability that she never had at their ages.

“This is such a special moment, because I know that within a couple of months, I will officially be a homeowner,” Jones said. “I’m looking forward to the future. I’m looking forward to making house payments. This Thanksgiving and Christmas, I’ll be able to cook in my own kitchen for the very first time. This will be a home I can leave to my boys, and maybe they will leave it to their kids one day.”

Houston County Habitat Resource Development Director Cheryl Glover looked out at the large group of volunteers who had assisted in the raising of the first wall, and even her mask couldn’t hide the smile on her face. “This is so exciting,” she remarked. “A home usually takes us about four to six months to build, based on things like the weather and how many volunteers we have that will come out each Saturday to help. This one is different,” explained Glover. “Actual contractors are building it, so it’s going to be done within the next 30 to 60 days. We’re not federally funded, so we only get donations from the community. The donations go toward purchasing all the building materials.”

Jones’ home is considered a “Perry Habitat Build,” a new term set aside for houses that are sponsored jointly by Parrish Construction (diamond sponsor), Hayward’s Hands (silver sponsor) and local contractors. The founder of Hayward’s Hands is Casey Hayward, a 2008 graduate of Perry High School who is currently a standout player for the Los Angeles Chargers, serving in the position of cornerback. Hayward was onsite of Saturday’s build, not only to put his hands to work, but also to donate a check in the amount of $15,000 toward the completion of the home.

“I try to give back to the community of Perry as much as I can,” Hayward told Houston Home Journal. He said that being from a small town is what inspires him to do what he does when it comes to giving back. “Small towns embody family and grit,” he shared. “Being in the position that I am, I’m able to come back and give back as much as I can. I grew up here. I know there are a lot of less fortunate people here. I know that because I was in that same situation. I’m blessed to be in the position where I am now, and I always said that if I made it, I would come back and bless other people that were raised just like I was.”

Hayward said that when he was first told about the home where his donation would go, he had no idea that he’d grown up with the person for whom the home was being built. I know most people in this community, and most of them know me, but I wasn’t given a name at first,” he stated. “Later on, when I heard the name, Chimere Jones; I was like… I know Shay!” he said, referring to the nickname by which most refer to Jones. “I know her, and I know her family.”

Giving back, Hayward mentioned, is a very big part of the legacy that he hopes to leave behind. “I don’t want to just be known as Casey, the football player,” he said. “I want to be known as somebody who had a pure heart; somebody who did as much as he could to make his community and his world a better place. I want to leave a legacy of love and giveback. And if this is one of the ways that I can do it, then this is the right way to go about it. Without my family and this community, I wouldn’t be where I am, and I couldn’t do what I do,” Hayward went on to say. “To be able to give back as much as I can means a lot.”

Aside from Hayward’s generous donation, the build of Jones’ home received a donation of $25,000 from Parrish Construction. Project Director Curt Eckman expressed that he, personally, was honored to be associated with Houston County Habitat for Humanity. As for Parrish Construction, he added, “We’ve been supporting this organization for years, and we’ve built a few houses with Habitat over the last couple of years. I’m honored and blessed to work along with a organization that gives back and to be able to support people who are in need.”

“Habitat is just a blessing for the people in the community,” Chimere Jones said. “I’ve been around doing this with other people. I’ve been one of the volunteers helping Habitat build other people’s houses, and now I’m out here helping to build my own. It’s is like a big family.”

Jones’ home is house #62 for Houston County Habitat for Humanity, and three more families are already on tap for housing following the completion of Habitat’s current mission. In addition, Habitat Resource Development Director Cheryl Glover mentioned that two more lots in the Perry area have recently been donated as future sites of homeowners.

“I’m very excited about that, because it will allow us to serve more families,” she stated. “I don’t know if the community realizes it, but in Houston County, 16.7% of the population lives in poverty. The women are leading the pack, that’s why it’s meaningful today to see Chimere on her journey to homeownership.

“This never gets old for me,” Glover added. “This is why I do what I do; so our community can be made whole. There’s such a need here, and we can do more when the community gets involved. If we can make all of us whole, it’s just going to make us that much stronger.”

Other business backers for this build, according to Glover, include the following bronze sponsors: Hoke’s Heating & Air, Griffin Lumber & Hardware, City of Perry, BCI Insulation, Valspar, Southern Lighting, The Floor Store, All-State Electrical, Warner Robins Supply, Whirlpool, Cingo, Servpro, Super-Sod, Cornerstone Cabinets, Schneider Electric, Rightway Drywall, Buzzell Plumbing Heating & Air, Upshaw General Contracting & Roofing, Lou Ausherman and Dave and Mary Cyr.

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