(L-R) New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowners Donna M. and Shaylon M. listen as Habitat Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland speaks during a dual home dedication on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, at their new homes in The Village.

Donna M.

Donna M.

Donna M

New Habitat homeowner in The Village, Donna M.

After Years of Moving, Donna Finds Stability in The Village
After years of apartment living and moves caused by circumstances beyond her control, Donna M. entered 2026 knowing she finally had a permanent place to call home.
Future Habitat homeowner Donna M. is a dedicated mother of two daughters and two grandchildren who works in customer care at Hertz Corporation. She completed some of her 100 required volunteer hours by building her own and others’ homes in The Village during the framing event.

Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowner Donna M. is a dedicated mother of two daughters and two grandchildren who works in customer care at Hertz Corporation. She completed some of her 100 required volunteer hours by building her own and others’ homes in The Village during the framing event.

Donna became a first-generation homeowner on Dec. 31, 2025, when Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) celebrated the dedication of her new, energy-efficient and affordable home in The Village.

“I don’t have to move from place to place anymore due to situations that I had no control over,” Donna told Fox 25 during its coverage of the celebration.

A customer-care employee at Hertz Corporation, Donna is the mother of two grown daughters and grandmother of two. She had wanted to become a homeowner for years and described what having a place of her own would mean before receiving her keys.

“A home of my own would provide stability and peace of mind,” Donna said. “It means feeling safe, comfortable and at peace.”

Donna completed 100 hours of required sweat-equity volunteer work by helping build her home and other Habitat homes. She celebrated alongside new neighbor Shaylon M. during a dual home dedication held at Shaylon’s house on New Year’s Eve.

(L-R) New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowners Donna M. and Shaylon M. listen as Habitat Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland speaks during a dual home dedication on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, at their new homes in The Village.

(L-R) New Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity homeowners Donna M. and Shaylon M. listen as Habitat Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland speaks during a dual home dedication on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, at their new homes in The Village.

The two houses were among three Habitat homes built on land donated by Our Lord’s Lutheran Church. Johnson & Associates LLC donated project and engineering services, while the firm’s owners and employees contributed more than $43,000 toward construction of a required detention pond.

During the dedication, Donna received the keys to her new home from COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland. Church members also presented her with a handmade quilt, and Pastor Steve Evans blessed the new homes.

Donna’s partnership with Habitat will not end with homeownership. Fox 25 reported that she plans to continue volunteering after settling into her house so she can pay it forward and help other future homeowners.