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LANDRUM—On Thursday at 8:30 a.m., Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity celebrated raising the walls on its latest build, the Lee Cobourn House, at 410 N. Trade St., attended by Habitat volunteers and staff, Kiwanis members, and members of Holy Cross Episcopal. 

The new build on N. Trade St. is dedicated to Habitat volunteer and member of Holy Cross Lee Cobourn, who passed away two years ago. Lee’s wife, Jeaneen Cobourn, also attended the event and expressed how honored Lee would be for dedicating the house to him. 

“Lee would have been humbled,” says Jeaneen. “Habitat meant a lot to him, and he would have enjoyed seeing the house.”

A recent $12,000 donation from a Kiwanis fundraiser paid for the roof of the Cobourn house. 

Kiwanis President Laura Baird said of the donation, “They gave us an amount, and our membership worked hard to raise it in memory of our member Lee Cobourn. Kiwanis also supports Habitat because we recognize the importance of stable housing for children.”

Holy Cross Episcopal also made a donation of 5,000 dollars to the project. 

Sue Luss, representing Holy Cross, said, “We’re here today to support Lee’s family, Habitat, and our community. Finding a home can be difficult, and Holy Cross’s church members are glad to help.”

As is tradition, attendees wrote blessings on the wooden beams and walls before Linda Saturno, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, and Jim White, President of Thermal Belt, addressed the crowd. They were then followed by a hymn from singer Jacqueline Moore followed.

Habitat is currently looking for volunteers. If you’re interested in getting involved with Habitat for Humanity, there are many ways to do so. You can volunteer at a building site, donate funds or materials, donate gently used furniture or housewares to the Habitat ReStore in Landrum, or simply spread the word about the organization’s important work. No matter how you support Habitat for Humanity, you’ll make a difference in the lives of families in need. 

For more information about Thermal Belt Habitat for Humanity, visit thermalbelthabitat.org.