In March, Jackie received the keys to her new home – a 4 bedroom, 2 bath located in Waukegan, Illinois.
A mother of five, Jackie and her children are part of Habitat for Humanity’s 2021 5 Homes for 5 Families project– an initiative sponsored by Fortune Brands which provides funding and brings volunteers together to build homes for families in need in the Waukegan community.
Coming from a two-bedroom trailer, Jackie and her family welcome the upgrade, and were active alongside volunteers in building the home over the last several months.
When she wasn’t on site working on the house, she was completing some of the more than 30 classes offered through Habitat, learning the ins and outs of caring for the home, budgeting, and planning how to make it a perfect home for her children.
“Jackie isn’t the type of person to just sit back and let things happen for her, and this was no different,” said Joel Williams, executive director, Habitat for Humanity Lake County. “She is the perfect example of helping someone who helps themselves, and there is no one more deserving to receive this home.”
A key ceremony was held in March attended by representatives from Fortune Brands and Habitat for Humanity, as well as Jackie, her family and other community members.
During the event, the kids gave attendees a tour of the house, excitedly sharing how they are going to decorate and set up their rooms.
Jackie spoke to attendees to share her gratitude.
“Thank you to everyone who has been with me through this process, it takes so many people to do all of this, thank you to everyone,” said Jackie. “Me and my family are very grateful for all the help that you have provided to us.”
For its 10-year anniversary of becoming a publicly traded company in October, Fortune Brands announced a $150,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity in Lake County, Illinois, to fund the construction of the home through the 5 Homes for 5 Families project.
With the keys in hand, Jackie and her family will be moving into this home this month.
“This is truly a life changing moment for the family, and all of us at Fortune Brands are so proud to be part of something so meaningful,” said Rebekah Lee, manager, Corporate Communications, Fortune Brands. “Our purpose is to fulfill the dreams of home and to see that, literally, come to life is incredibly powerful.”
Fortune Brands’ total support for Habitat for Humanity is over $1 million since 2011. Our purpose of Fulfilling Dreams of Home ties right into the work of Habitat for Humanity, and Fortune Brands and our family of companies are proud, long-time supporters of Habitat for Humanity and its local chapters where we live and work.
