Country Legend Garth Brooks Participates in Birmingham World Habitat Events

On October 4, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham kicked off a campaign to build or repair 28 homes in the greater Birmingham community through the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2010. While dozens of local volunteers made up most of the crews for the week's events, three volunteers, former President Jimmy Carter, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and country music legend Garth Brooks, made the week special for most that had the chance to participate.

The Harville family, pictured below, will be moving into the home when completed. "Having a place of stability is very important to our family," says Ted and Wanda Harville. Before going on to add, "Thank you and God bless."

Country legend Garth Brooks (Center in gray t-shirt and blue hat) joins a Habitat construction crew as Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham kicked off Jimmy and Roslyn Carter Work Project 2010, as part of their World Habitat Day Events

Country music legend Garth Brooks poses with the Harville family on the front lawn of their new home. Just moments earlier Brooks had been busy helping to plant new shrubbery.

The Harville home is one of the 28 worked on as part of the initiative. Several additional homes were completed within sight of the Harville home, giving this historic neighborhood a much needed shot of revitalization energy. $1,964,000 of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds supported the project, including: $1,125,000 in NSP funding; $789,000 in HOME funding; and $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding.

Alabama HUD Director, Cindy Yarbrough, named as Alabama Habitat for Humanity Affiliates' Public Official of the Year for 2009 because of her ongoing commitment to working with Habitat to help meet the housing needs of Alabama residents said of this year's housing blitz, "It's amazing what Alabama Habitat Affiliates accomplish when leveraging federal funds with community donations of cash, goods, and time. They not only improve the quality of life for those they serve, they improve neighborhoods. We at HUD celebrate the success of each family like the Harville family and we celebrate the commitment of Habitat in this community."

To learn more about the 27th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2010 World Habitat Day Event in Birmingham visit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham's website (http://www.habitatbirmingham.org/programs/carter.php).

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