Habitat Catawba Valley Celebrates New Home Dedication, Long-Term Homeowner Milestones, and Sponsors of The Cottages at Ridgeview

Hickory, NC (June 4, 2025)-

What happens when a community comes together to build more than just houses? You get a day like June 4, 2025—a day filled with home dedications, mortgage-burning celebrations, and gratitude for the incredible supporters behind The Cottages at Ridgeview Phase III.

For Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley, this wasn’t just another event—it was a powerful reminder of how safe, stable housing can transform lives. Here’s a look at the inspiring stories from that day.

A New Chapter for a Local Family 

Meet Savanna C. and James H., along with their three young daughters—the newest family that will soon be calling The Cottages at Ridgeview home.

After completing Habitat’s homeownership education program—covering everything from financial literacy to home maintenance— and completing over 500 sweat equity hours — they stood proudly in front a crowd of attendees and received a hammer and staff signed Bible.

The hammer is symbolic of all of the hard work they have put in, all they have achieved in this journey, and the hands of other hearts in the community who have joined them along the way. The Bible represents the love that joins us, the grace that carries us, and the room that has been prepared for us, so that God may bless them and keep them all of their days. 

For Savanna and James, this moment was years in the making. Now, their daughters will grow up in a place they can truly call their own.

Celebrating Generations of Impact

The day wasn’t just about new beginnings—it was also a celebration of five Habitat families in attendance, out of 23 families invited, who have fully paid off their mortgages within the last 5 years. 

One by one, they shared how homeownership changed their lives—opening doors to financial stability, educational opportunities for their children, and a deeper sense of belonging in the community. Their stories are proof that when people are given the right tools and support, they thrive.

“Habitat Catawba Valley is built on partnership,” said Walter Cantwell, Development Director. “Seeing families achieve homeownership—and then pay off their mortgages—shows the lasting power of this model. It’s not just about building houses; it’s about investing in people.”

Gratitude for the Sponsors of Phase III

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the generous support of local individuals, businesses, foundations, and churches. Their sponsorship of Phase III of The Cottages at Ridgeview has brought an additional six new homes to life in this vibrant neighborhood, located just a half mile from downtown Hickory.

Habitat Catawba Valley gratefully recognize our Phase III sponsors:

Community Builder 

Sherrill Furniture 

Home Sponsors
Wesley Hall Furniture, Catawba Valley Health System, The Griffin Foundation, TSH Foundation, The Leon Levine Foundation, Habitat Board of Directors 

Roof Sponsors
George Foundation, Publix Charities

Lot Sponsors

Will & Pam Monroe, Vanguard Furniture, Drendel Family Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation, Underdown Family Foundation, Snyder Paper, Corning Foundation, In Memory of Glenn Shoaf by Carolyn Moretz & Daniel Shoaf

Foundation Sponsors
Harlee Packaging Components, The Texer Group, Room and Board, In Honor of Ian and Lori Greveling by Mariam Wright, Cline Family Foundation (formerly Kulynych Family Foundation), American Woodmark Foundation, Unifour Foundation, Truist Bank, HSM Solution, Ballenger Family Partnership, Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation

Blueprint Sponsors
PNC Bank, CommScope 

Their contributions are laying the groundwork for safe, affordable housing that leads to generational transformation.

Special thank you to Zack King with Wesley Hall Furniture for presenting, Marcus Osborne with CVMC, Sarah Blanton and Lesly Munguia of Tabernacle Baptist Church for feeding the crowd, Mayor Hank Guess for presenting, and all Habitat volunteers and attendees for joining us.  

 Help Finish The Story

As Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley reflects on the successes of 2024, the organization looks forward to continuing its mission in 2025 and beyond. With more projects on the horizon, Habitat invites the community to join its efforts by volunteering, donating, or advocating for affordable housing.