Habitat for Humanity of Marion County will celebrate their 20 year anniversary as well as their 50th home built in Marion County this coming February. Former Knoxville Mayor and current City Councilman Craig Kelley says 20 years ago he saw an ad on TV for Habitat for Humanity and decided to join a mission trip to get involved and learn more.

“I signed up and went on that mission trip and got all the information I really needed and brought it back and put a group of people together and we went off and started our own affiliation.”

After Habitat for Humanity was officially started in Marion County, Linda O’Dell was chosen to receive the first home. Linda remembers when she was told she and her three sons would be the recipients of that first home and what it meant to her.

“We were very excited, I think it took me two weeks to sleep again after we found out we were getting it.”

O’Dell knows the home she received from Habitat for Humanity helped change her and her three sons lives forever.

“They didn’t feel crowded or ashamed at what we had, they would bring people home.”

Linda’s home was just the beginning in Marion County and it’s still hard to believe for Councilman Kelley that so many homes have been built.

“It’s amazing what has happened, you know 50 homes in 20 years, no way. I never thought that be possible.”

The 20th anniversary celebration of Habitat for Humanity in Marion County and the first home built will be February 11th at the Graham Conference Center at Central College.