Faith, Compassion and Purpose: Ann Felton Gilliland Receives Central Oklahoma Habitat’s Lifetime Achievement Award (También en español)

Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland was honored Tuesday night with the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award for more than three decades of visionary leadership that transformed the landscape of affordable housing in Central Oklahoma. The award was presented during COHFH’s Diamonds in Denim Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Museum.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot, a former Habitat board member, traveled from Virginia to give a heartfelt introduction to Felton Gilliland before the COHFH Board of Directors bestowed the honor. “He highlighted how Central Oklahoma Habitat has grown under her leadership to become one of the nation’s top Habitat affiliates.”

Since 1990, COHFH has built more than 1,143 new, energy-efficient and affordable homes, developed four affordable-housing neighborhoods, established two ReStores and assisted nearly 800 low-income homeowners through its Critical Home Repair program. He said her vision and faith-based leadership continue to shape stronger communities across Central Oklahoma.

Felton Gilliland expressed gratitude to the mentors, colleagues and loved ones who have supported her throughout her tenure, including longtime board members and friends Art Litell, Nancy Riddell, Dr. David Brown, Sam Gann, Dan Ellis and Henry Bockus. She also thanked her family, the COHFH Board of Directors and staff for their dedication to Habitat’s mission.

After accepting the award, Felton Gilliland reflected on her 36-year journey with Habitat, crediting her faith, love for people and what she called “a deep, unwavering belief in a future shaped by service — not fear.” She shared that every chapter of her life — in the arts, education, healthcare and community service — prepared her for what she described as “the most meaningful work of all: helping families achieve the dream of homeownership.”

Through Habitat’s partnership model, families work alongside volunteers to help build their new homes and purchase them with an affordable mortgage — creating stability and opportunity for generations to come.

“My achievements would not have been possible without their day-in and day-out hard work,” she said. “Together, we’ve built neighborhoods, strengthened families and expanded access to affordable housing across Central Oklahoma.”

Felton Gilliland’s legacy continues through Cornerstone Creek, COHFH’s largest and most ambitious affordable-housing development in Central Oklahoma. More than 35 families now live in Cornerstone Creek as Habitat completes Phase I, which includes 91 new homes. COHFH is now raising $3.7 million to fund Phase II infrastructure for 211 additional homes.

Supporters are encouraged to give generously to help make these homes possible by visiting www.cohfh.org/make-a-donation or texting MAKEHOMEHAPPEN to 50155. For more information, call 405-232-4828 or visit www.cohfh.org.

 También en español

Gracias to El Latino American Newspaper for this story in a recent publication: https://www.ellatinoamerican.com/noticias/fe-compasion-y-proposito-ann-felton-gilliland-honrada-con-el-premio-a-la-trayectoria