In the spirit of Thanksgiving – perhaps there is nothing more touching than a handwritten letter of humble gratitude.
Whirlpool Corporation is overjoyed that recent Habitat for Humanity homeowner Ruby Vaughn and her family now have a house to call their own. The home is located in a quaint subdivision in Cleveland, Tenn., appropriately called Victory Cove. That plot of land is where she faced down seemingly insurmountable challenges in a personal battle to become a first-time homeowner.
In a note to Whirlpool, Vaughn describes how her new home has changed her entire family’s life:
“Whirlpool, I just want to say a great big THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!!! We are so truly grateful for the beautiful new appliances (I don’t remember ever owning a new appliance before). Thank you for all you do for other families like us, also. I cannot begin to put into words how much it means to us to have a home large enough for myself, my son and his four children. Now we will actually have room to all be at the table at the same time and can actually have a family meal. And, my son will actually have a bedroom and not have to sleep on the couch in the living room after 7 years. And, he can actually sleep in a bed!! The grandkids will also have a yard to play in. Please know this could not happen without you. May God Bless You!”
These words, etched on a simple postcard, mean the Vaughns now have a new start in life and most importantly – they now have hope.
Before the Vaughn’s home dedication on November 2nd, 2017, the family of six lived in an overcrowded two bedroom apartment in an unsafe neighborhood. Her son was injured in a car accident, which meant she worked two jobs to support the family. And throughout the construction Ruby also labored through hundreds of ‘sweat equity’ hours to help build her house, and has taken a number of new homeowner classes.
We hope as the Vaughns sit down for Thanksgiving dinner together – the first time as a family at a single table – that this is only the beginning of many wonderful memories yet to come.