Habitat Around the Hearth

The Lee County Habitat for Humanity is hard at work building houses for those who have never owned their own home, as well as rebuilding and restoring homes damaged in the recent tornadoes.

In order to make these family's dreams come true, the Lee County Habitat for Humanity is hosting its third annual Habitat Around the Hearth at the Moore's Mill Club Pavilion at the Moore's Mill Golf Club Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

The night is a mixture of food, drink, live music by Martha's Trouble and fundraising.

"We'll have both a silent and a live auction, just with a tremendous amount of response from the community as far as vendors helping us with prizes, so we have a great selection of prizes that will be a part of this," said Mark Grantham, executive director at Lee County Habitat for Humanity.

The prizes range from small items, like rounds of golf, to Auburn football field passes.

"One of the local schools has built a large cabin playhouse for children complete with lighting and everything, and that will be one of the large auction items," Grantham said. "We have dinner parties and vacations, jewelry, art, sporting goods, Auburn University stuff, grills; just a tremendous amount of stuff that's been donated will be a part of the live and silent auction."

The variety of prizes even surprised Cindy Cleveland, a Habitat for Humanity board member and co-chair of the event.

"You wouldn't believe the variety," Cleveland said. "I mean, things that anybody would like; things from a child to a grown man."

All proceeds from both the silent and live auctions will support ongoing and future projects in Lee County.

"The money raised will go to directly benefit families right here in Lee County," Grantham said. "We build in Auburn, Opelika--all of Lee County. Our mission is to provide affordable housing for families in need. You know, simple, decent, affordable homes, and all the money will be used towards that."

This year, Grantham says he expects the attendance to be higher than previous years. The use of media, both online and print, has helped raise awareness for the event and convince newcomers to attend.

"Over 200 people attended last year, but I think we will have [more]," Grantham said. "We've sold about that many tickets so far, but a lot of folks can buy tickets at the door and are responding they will do that. I just think we'll have a much bigger turn out this year based on tickets we've already sold, based on success of the past, based on the response of people picking up tickets at the door."

Grantham said Habitat Around the Hearth is "a great casual evening with friends that supports a real good cause too."

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased early by calling (334) 745-2123 or at the door.

"It's really a lot of fun," Cleveland said. "The people that have been in the past are coming back. It's a really fun social gathering, and at the same time, to know that the money is helping someone have a home that is, that is their dream. It really is a lot of fun. It's a well-spent $30."