House Blessing Marks a Fresh Start for Hurricane Florence Survivors
Family, friends, volunteers, and partners recently gathered to celebrate a new beginning for a grandmother and her six grandchildren. A long journey filled with challenges has now resulted in a new home for the Abonza family, made possible by their resilience, determination, and the support of their community.
At the house blessing and key passing ceremony, joy and gratitude were overflowing. As Emilie Hart, Regional Director for Catholic Charities, reflected, “I met Grandma Teresa about two years ago just before Christmas at the health department. It was super clear that her love for her grandchildren and taking care of them is something that’s a joy for her.”
That love became the driving force for a multiyear effort to provide Grandma T and her grandchildren with a safe and permanent home. Vickie Sasser, Catholic Charities Disaster Specialist, shared, “What I have learned from her is her resilience. She really wanted to make life better for her grandkids. She was very active in her recovery, seeking resources, working with partners, and making sure this new home would be something she could sustain.”
The project became a true community effort. Emilie explained, “It wasn’t just Catholic Charities that did this. So many hands and hearts went into this house. It was really because of those partnerships that we were able to see today happen.”
Organizations that contributed to moving the Abonza family back home included 2SHARE, Baptists on Mission, Columbus County Disaster Coalition, Lutheran Services Carolinas, Mennonite Disaster Services, North Conway Baptist Church, and the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church – Disaster Recovery. Volunteers with these groups came from across the state and the country to help improve the lives of this family.
The finishing touches on the home were deeply personal. Each child’s bedroom was designed with care, from Minecraft and Bluey-themed bedding for the boys to a Lilo & Stitch-inspired space for the girls. Volunteers sponsored each child’s bed so that every room reflected their personalities. These details made the difference between simply building a house and truly creating a home.
The ceremony included a blessing from Dr. George Strickland of Cerro Gordo Baptist Church, where the family worships. He prayed, “Father God, we thank you for every volunteer and all the hard work that’s been done to supply this family such a beautiful home. We thank you because all good things come from you.”
When the key was finally placed in her hand, Grandma T’s gratitude was evident: “I deeply appreciate all of you. We couldn’t have made it without the volunteers. This home means a lot.”
For Catholic Charities, this milestone was more than the conclusion of a single project. It symbolized what is possible when compassion, faith, and community converge. As Vickie shared, “This is more than a celebration of a new house. It’s a celebration of resilience, community, and love.”