Habitat for Humanity is constructing houses for families in Morgan and Menifee Counties.
These family lost everything after a devastating tornado hit eastern Kentucky in March.
The Dickerson Family lost two houses in the storm.
“You come back and everything you've worked for is gone, everything,” Larry Dickerson recalled. “We got out with the clothes on our back. That's it.”
The first house Habitat for Humanity builds will be for the Dickerson’s.
Gary Dike is leading the construction for the Dickerson's House.
“They're a neat family,” Dike says. “And they're neat people. And we tend to work with neat people no matter what the situation is.”
Materials to build the Dickerson’s home cost about $35,000. However, there aren’t any construction worker fees, since this a volunteer organization.
Kristen Bennett works for Habitat for Humanity. She spoke today at a celebration for the reconstruction of Morgan and Menifee Counties.
“There's a lot of emotions, but it's important to give those who have less,” she says. “And don't have a simple, decent, affordable place to live.”
This is the first of ten homes to be built this year. Each home will take around three months to assemble.
While overcoming the loss they suffered in March, Morgan County Judge Executive Tim Conley says fear of another tornado is still on people’s minds.
“You know, I know these people get scared when a tornado, when weather gets bad, it scares them. It scares me,” Conley says. “We shed a lot of tears.”
The Dickerson Family calls the past few months a terrible nightmare.
One Brenda Dickerson hopes is almost done. She is looking forward to having her own house.
“Just my own home, back in my own home, my own surroundings and where I'm not living in such filth,” Brenda Dickerson says.
She says she won't dwell on what was lost, but celebrate and be grateful for the new start.
