Habitat for Humanity dedicates new home in Kingsport
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Kingsport family was handed the keys to their new home on Wednesday thanks to Habitat for Humanity.
Holston Habitat for Humanity held a dedication ceremony for the new five-bedroom home.
The Winston family felt blessed and honored to be moving into their new home. They helped build the house along with volunteers from across the Tri-Cities.
It was a day of celebration for Chris and Christina Winston and their three children: Hayla, Kaiden, and Emmalyn. The family will be moving into their new home soon.
“We’re looking forward to actually having a home and something that’s, you know, something we can say is ours and I mean, it’s just something you don’t get every day,” Chris Winston said.
Holston Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Laura Kelly says they’re excited for the ways the new home will propel the Winston family forward.
“We really believe that a new home is a stepping stone to having strength, stability, and self-reliance,” Kelly said. “We’re just so thrilled for the family to achieve this milestone.”
The Winston family started their Habitat project in January 2023. Together, they put in more than 300 sweat equity hours of work on their new house.
Chris and Christina took a homeowner education class and also helped build other Habitat homes.
Many volunteers from churches, banks, schools, and other groups helped build the Winstons’ home as well.
“We’ve had over 4,500 volunteer hours represented in building this home,” Kelly said. “Now, if that’s not a community that doesn’t care about its neighbors, I don’t know what is. So Chris and Christina are completely wrapped up in the arms of this community, and we couldn’t be more thankful.”
Chris Winston was also hired to be Holston Habitat’s project manager last October.
“I’m now over the home repairs for Habitat for Humanity,” Chris Winston said. “I love my job. I get to help people every day and it’s just something I don’t even dread going to work. I like going to work, I like helping people.”
The Winston family will close on their new home on Friday.
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