By Ida Brown

When discussing plans for the 20th anniversary celebration of Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity, organizers couldn't settle on one day.

"We were thinking of a small event," said Fonda Rush, executive director of the local Habitat affiliate, of her planning meeting with Frances Long, who founded Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity in 1989.

But the intended small celebration turned into a grand three-day event.

"Everybody is so excited that Habitat has been here 20 years, and we've grown and we continue to grow because of the support of the community," Rush said.

Representatives of the local affiliate announced plans for the celebration during a press conference Thursday at Citizens National Bank's Downtown Banking Centre.

The 20th anniversary festivities will begin with a prayer breakfast on June 4 at Poplar Springs United Methodist Church. Members of area churches and other Habitat supporters will join together for the 7 a.m. breakfast.

During the morning gathering, special prayers will be offered for volunteers, homeowner families, staff members and church members involved in Habitat.

"We'll thank God for the past 20 years and ask for his blessings for the years that lie ahead," Rush said.

On June 5, a Habitat House Party and Drawdown will be held at 7 p.m. at the MSU Riley Center. Tickets are $100 each and one lucky winner will come away from the event with a grand prize of $3,000. The second place cash award will be $1,500, and third place will be $750.

"We hope that the big-ticket winners will donate the money to our Habitat affiliate," Long said.

A variety of other prizes will also be given away during the house party and drawdown.

State Sen. Terry Burton and Sidney Covington are slated to emcee the event, which will reflect on Habitat's past 20 years of service to the community, and serve as a way to recognize their faithful supporters. The night will feature dancing to music performed by local band Second Chance, hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Attire for the occasion will be dressy casual.

Sponsorship levels for the 20th anniversary fund-raiser range from $1,000 to $10,000 or more.

Habitat anniversary events

• June 4 – Prayer breakfast, 7 a.m., Poplar Springs United Methodist Church. Admission is free, however reservations must be placed in advance.

• June 5 – Habitat House Party and Drawdown, 7 p.m., MSU Riley Center.

• June 6 – Habitat House Party, from noon-until, Singing Brakeman Park. Admission: from noon-5 p.m., donation; after 5 p.m. – adults, $15, children (ages 7-12), $10, children under age 7, $5

For more information or to make reservations, call the Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity office at (601) 485-4992

"Over the last few years, we haven't had to ask the community for money because of funding through the Gulf Coast Recovery Effort (Habitat for Humanity International's response to the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005)," Rush said. "But now that's over, and we have to come back to the community to ask for funds."

Since 1989, 63 families have been placed in Habitat homes in Lauderdale County. The local affiliate typically builds six to eight homes each year at a cost of $50,000 to $55,000.

Proceeds from the House Party will go towards the building of Habitat's 20th anniversary home in the Meridian area this fall.

The homeowners, Mike and Phyllis Stuart, have a unique connection with Habitat. Mr. Stuart works for the local affiliate, having constructed 16 houses and also the Hope Village cottages. His wife has also served as a Habitat volunteer.

"This has been an answer to our prayers; we've prayed for a house for a long time," said Mrs. Stuart, who had to retire from teaching due to health problems.

In addition, 10 percent of the House Party proceeds will go toward the building of a tithe house in Honduras along with Habitat International. Rush said during it's 20-year history, the Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity has helped build 49 tithe houses worldwide in Africa, Central America and the Far East.

The House Party will continue at noon on June 6 in Singing Brakeman Park with food, a children's fun area and entertainment.

A variety of musical entertainment will include gospel, folk, country, classic rock and blues, said Jeremy Campbell, chairman. Headline artists are The House Rockers, and Delta Bluesman James "Super Chikan" Johnson. William Myles and the Young People of Praise, a Meridian-based group, also will perform gospel music that afternoon.

A $2,700 donation has already been made to the anniversary celebration by the William Robert Baird Trust Fund, which is managed at Citizens National Bank. According to Rush, the funds will be used as seed money for the 20th anniversary celebration. Over the past 10 years, the trust fund has donated more than $37,000 to Lauderdale County Habitat for Humanity.