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“Sales of this beautiful book have exceeded even our most optimistic hopes and dreams,” says Obion County Habitat for Humanity executive director Judy Underwood.
The book is a “coffee table-style” volume conceived and written by Union City native Macy Kirkland, who makes her home in Ohio. Ms. Kirkland’s appreciation of beautiful architecture and gracious style, coupled with her concern for those who cannot afford decent housing of their own, led her to create a book focusing on the former and benefiting the latter.
“Let’s Go Home,” according to its author, “… consists of several homes — each very different in design — that give me the feeling of a giant hug every time I enter them, bringing me happiness and pleasure. I hope that you will enjoy them as well.”
The country dwelling of Ms. Kirkland’s parents, Robert and Jenny Kirkland of Union City, is featured in the volume, as is the home the author shares with her young family in Ohio.
Photographer Colleen Dooley worked with Ms. Kirkland, who wrote the elegantly descriptive prose that makes the reader feel they have been a valued guest in each dwelling.
Proceeds from the book have been earmarked to benefit the Obion County Habitat for Humanity affiliate, and, to this point, the book has been worth more than $25,000 dollars for that effort.
For her work on behalf of the organization, Ms. Kirkland has been notified that she is being recognized as the 2012 Tri-State Habitat for Humanity honoree. That organization is made up of Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Butler, Clermont and Warren counties in Ohio; Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in Kentucky; and Dearborn and Ohio counties in Indiana.
New funds raised from copies of “Let’s Go Home” sold at the gala to honor her will also benefit the Obion County group, Ms. Kirkland has pledged.
Local Habitat director Eva Virgin says, “I helped build the first Habitat house in Obion County in 1995. It amazes me to see how far we have come in the last 17 years. We really appreciate Macy’s generous contribution. It truly gives ‘Let’s Go Home’ a whole new meaning.”
Longtime friend Clint Joiner of Union City, also a director of the local affiliate, adds, “The Obion County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is very fortunate to benefit from the creativity, ingeniousness and ultimate generosity of Macy Kirkland. “Let’s Go Home’ is an inspiring collection of photography accented by well-written commentary on some of this country’s most amazing homes. Macy recognized the good work that the local Habitat office is doing to provide decent housing for those in need and wanted to contribute her support. We cannot thank her enough for her efforts and contributions to the Habitat for Humanity movement in our county.”
To date, Obion County Habitat for Humanity has constructed 41 well-built, attractive and affordable homes in the county, providing decent housing for families who could not otherwise obtain such for themselves. The new home owners provide “sweat equity” by working on their own homes, with volunteers from the local Habitat board, community supporters and friends and family of those who will be living in the house lending a hand, as well. The carefully selected family also gives time and talent to work on other Habitat homes in the area. Future home owners have the opportunity to secure no-interest loans to purchase their new dwellings and, because labor, some lots to build on and some of the materials going into the homes are donated, the cost of building is substantially less than it would normally be. These features all make home ownership a possibility for families who might otherwise see the dream as beyond their ability to achieve.
Plans for a 42nd home are in the works, with the selection committee of Obion County Habitat for Humanity ready to make a decision about the family who will help build, and then own, their own home soon.
A copy of Ms. Kirkland’s book was recently purchased and donated to the Obion County Public Library in honor of the philanthropist who has remembered with affection the place she was raised and who is following in her family’s footsteps to benefit that community. The affiliate plans to express gratitude to the author in other ways in the near future, a spokesman said.
“We just want to assure Macy of our warmest thanks and appreciation for all her hard work, time and energy to make ‘Let’s Go Home’ such a success. Sales on the book have exceeded our hopes and dreams and we are so grateful,” says Habitat executive director Judy Underwood.
Copies of “Let’s Go Home” have been on sale at Lanzer’s Printing and Office Supply in downtown Union City and a new supply is expected soon.
Published in The Messenger 4.4.12
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