Page 34 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2017

PEOPLE getting edgy
story by Lindsay Freise Avery, Director of Resource Development Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast photos courtesy of Habitat for Humanity
On October 14, seventy brave participants will take the challenge
of rappelling 300 feet down the side
of IP Casino Resort Spa for Habitat
for Humanity of the Mississippi
Gulf Coast’s third annual Hang Out with Habitat. These “Edgers” can proudly say the funds they raised to participate will help build a home for a local Gulfport family. Not only will they have faced their fears, but their accomplishment will help to provide a quality, affordable home.
Among our Edgers is Ms. Diana. Ms. Diana was diagnosed with narcolepsy with cataplexy in college, but continued to pursue her Registered Nurse degree. She worked successfully for 17 years until her condition began to interfere with her duties.
Like many Coast residents, Ms. Diana lost her apartment during Hurricane Katrina. She learned of Habitat Mississippi Gulf Coast’s services and decided to apply. She qualified for a new home and her house was built during the 2007 AmeriCorps Build-A-
Thon, a weeklong build in April of that year which brought 500 AmeriCorps members to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to construct 20 Habitat homes.
Ms. Diana was blown away by the volunteers who traveled from across the country to help build her home.
“I was able to move into my home in late November 2007, a great Christmas present! I’m thankful for Habitat
for Humanity and the sponsors for providing me with the opportunity and an affordable mortgage,” she said.
Ms. Diana is looking to pay it forward and is fundraising to go over the edge this October. She views her participation with Hang Out with Habitat as a “win-win” allowing her to check rappelling off her bucket list while providing the same opportunity to a family that she was given 10 years ago.
No experience is required to
rappel. Anyone age 18 and older and weighing between 100 and 300 pounds can participate. The event is conducted by Over the Edge, a group of skilled
climbers who have hosted more than 500 events throughout North America.
For the third year, Habitat has enlisted the support of generous sponsors, including host sponsor,
IP Casino Resort Spa, Ground
Control sponsor Balch & Bingham, and Helping Hands sponsors Allen Beverages and Drew and Nancy Allen. Opportunities are still available to be involved or come check out the fun on October 14 beginning at 8 a.m.
Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast 2214 34th St., Gulfport 228.678.9123 www.hfhmgc.org
34 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2017
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