- May 2, 2024
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As approximately 50 volunteers spread through the worksite Wednesday, Sept. 11, hammering nails and cutting wood, an assortment of American flags flew high, waving in the wind, and soon-to-be homeowner Yolanda Neloms let tears of joy stream down her cheeks.
The special build for Flagler Habitat for Humanity commemorated the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2011, attacks. Sept. 11 was designated a national day of service by the 2009 Kennedy Serve America Act. The Corp. for National and Community Service leads the annual event, working with MyGoodDeed and hundreds of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, and schools and businesses nationwide.
“It means everything to me,” Neloms said about her home build being part of the national day of service. “How awesome is God to me and to us. I can’t tell you what this means to me.”
One company in attendance was the staff of Coast Title Insurance Agency. Sandra McDermott, owner of Coast Title, and the current president of the Flagler Habitat for Humanity, closed the office to participate.
“It was a no-brainer,” she said. “I’ve never closed the office for something like this before, but I think this will be an annual event.”
Neloms has been employed as a long-time security guard at Island Estates, and she said the relationships she has developed with the residents there led her to Habitat. With rent rising every couple of years, Neloms contemplated moving out of the area.
“So many of (the residents) stopped by the gate and said, ‘Don’t leave,’” she said. “So I stepped out on faith, and now I don’t have to.”
Neloms said that she couldn’t describe the overwhelming feeling she had that she and her 11-year-old daughter, Jasmiana, would soon have a home of their own.
“I just feel loved,” she said. “Habitat is just what that means, Habitat for Humanity — they love us, they love the community, and I love every second of working with them.”
