Homeowner #1095 – Although he’s probably more comfortable on a football field than when speaking to reporters, Capitol Hill High School Teacher/Coach Michael H. deftly led a TV crew on a tour of his family’s new Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) home in southwest Oklahoma City on May 9, 2024 – just prior to his new Habitat home dedication.

The reporter and videographer followed the young father into the master bedroom, where Michael H. proudly pointed out a walk-in shower. As his girlfriend, Edeline, held the couple’s toddler daughter, Hazel, in her arms, Michael H. then showed the two remaining bedrooms, a bathroom and the airy open-concept kitchen, dining area and den. COHFH contractors could be seen laying sod in the home’s backyard as the young couple greeted their guests that arrived for the home dedication.

During the event, COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland led the audience in thanks for the many sponsors, donors and volunteers who have and continue to help Habitat to build homes, communities and hope. During the event, the family received a TV, personalized bible, a welcome mat, yard tools, a Habitat-inscribed cutting board and various gift cards and gift certificates from community sponsors. Felton Gilliland then gave the keys to the couple and they thanked and hugged COHFH’s leader.

Felton Gilliland later said the family’s new Habitat home, designed with safety, security, and energy efficiency in mind, marks a significant milestone for Hill and his family.

“Michael worked hard for this day,” Felton Gilliland said. “In October 2023, he contributed some of his 100 sweat-equity hours by working alongside nearly 40 officers from the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD). The officers helped frame his new home as part of the National Faith & Blue Weekend initiative.”

She said Faith & Blue is designed as a solutions-based initiative where cities across the U.S. come together in worship and to build a strong nation by promoting faith, fellowship, reconciliation and resolution.

“We are always grateful to our faith leaders and Oklahoma City’s finest who participate in Faith & Blue,” Felton Gilliland said. “Faith & Blue’s volunteer activities demonstrate the strength of their commitment to improving our community through collaboration and support.”

The celebration also included a blessing by southside Oklahoma City’s Community of Faith Church Pastor Julio Fajardo. Michael H. expressed his appreciation to OKCPD Major Greg Johnston for attending both the home build and the home dedication, and to Habitat for helping him to buy a home for cost and without a down payment.

“I just want to give a shout out to Habitat for Humanity and say it is such a great program,” he said. “What they do for people is truly a blessing.”

To view a brief broadcast featuring the Michael H. family’s home dedication celebration with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, please click here.