CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A little bit of rain could not dampen the spirits of two new homeowners Saturday, August 21, at a double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County and their supporters.

The family of Yolanda and Willie Pridgen, and Ivory ‘Joe’ Hayes, both received the keys to their new homes right next to each other on Richardson St.

Steve Calles of Bible Bros hugs new homeowner Yolanda Pridgen at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
New homeowner Ivory ‘Joe’ Hayes at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
New homeowner Ivory ‘Joe’ Hayes being presented with a quilt from the Clarksville Quilt Posse at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Margaret Pace speaking at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A speaker at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
District 5 Montgomery County Commissioner Rashidah Leverett speaking at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A speaker at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
One of the new homes dedicated at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
L-R, Rob Selkow recognizes Steve Calles at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
L-R, Rob Selkow recognizes Melanie Lacasse at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Melanie Lacasse speaking at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts speaking at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Supporters of Habitat for Humanity at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
L-R, Rob Selkow, Reverend Bobby Kail, Ivory ‘Joe’ Hayes, Pastor Gracie Thomas and Latashua Pridgen at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Supporters of Habitat for Humanity at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
L-R, Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts, District 5 Montgomery County Commissioner Rashidah Leverett, and Cynthia Pitts, at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Supporters of Habitat for Humanity at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
A key in the lock of one of the new homes at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
New homeowner Ivory ‘Joe’ Hayes at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).
Reverend Bobby Kail at the double home dedication held by Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County on Saturday, August 21 2021 (Lee Erwin).

Habitat partners recognized

Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity, Rob Selkow, thanked the two families that received homes. “You have honored us with your partnership. Your hard work on the home, in the ReStore, doing the homeowner education, you have earned these homes,” Selkow said.

Selkow added that as the families make their monthly mortgage payment, they would make it possible for other families to live and thrive in a Habitat home. He also recognized three local organizations for their support in the building of the two homes.

Melanie Lacasse, President of the Clarksville Association of Realtors, Spreading Our Support (S.O.S.) Foundation, accepted an award on behalf of her organization, and Steve Calles accepted the award for the Christian Brotherhood group, Bible Bros.

Selkow also recognized Reda Home Builders and the Clarksville-Montgomery County community for their support of the Habitat ReStore.

Celebrating new homeowners

Each homeowner received special gifts for their new home from individuals and organizations in the community.  District 5 Montgomery County Commissioner, Rashidah Leverett, presented the homeowners with Bibles from the Cumberland Baptist Association.

The Captain William Edminston Chapter of the DAR donated a selection of books to the homeowners. The Master Gardeners Association presented flowerpots with flowers and announced plans to plant a tree for each family in their yard in the future, and the Clarksville Quilt Posse gave quilts to both homeowners.

Habitat board member Kevin Underwood presented Hayes with the key to his new home. “I want to thank all the volunteers, for getting me through all of this, and especially God, he makes everything happen,” Hayes said.

Steve Calles with the Bible Bros then presented The Pridgen family with the key to their home. “I’m blessed, it is great, and I’m honored to have a home of my own and I’m very thankful and grateful,” Yolanda Pridgen said.

To learn more about the work of Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, the Habitat ReStore, make a donation, or to volunteer and become involved with building homes, visit habitatmctn.org, go to facebook.com/hfhmctn/or call 931-645-4222.