INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Family pictures hang along the walls of Sarah’s new home. Bedrooms are decorated with themes that range from beach scenes, mermaids, lush rainforests, rainbows and even Marvel superheroes like the Black Panther.
Sarah and her daughter Chanel look at one of the bedrooms inside of their fully furnished home on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
Each area of the 1,500 square foot property has a special touch that connects with Sarah and her three daughters. The intimate details reflecting the family were strategically placed throughout the home.
The family did not know the house would be fully furnished, organizers say. Sarah, who recently closed on the small home, had applied for a furnishing gift, expecting a table or a Lowe’s gift card.
“It feels like a dream come true. I’m very blessed and thankful,” said Sarah, whose last name isn’t being used for privacy reasons. “I was just going to bring my mattress in and go to Walmart. I’m not used to major surprises.”
On Tuesday – closing day – Sarah, 34, walked into the three-bedroom residence with her daughters Chanel, 9, Sariah, 8, and Ciara, 7. Huge smiles lit up on each of their faces as they gazed at pictures, paintings and decorations placed throughout the property located in south county.
Representatives from iThink Financial’s Building Up program partnered with Indian River Habitat for Humanity and several other organizations to make sure Sarah didn’t have to spend any money to buy items for the residence.
Sarah’s daughter Ciara plays a Baby Shark bead kit game inside a bedroom at their fully furnished home on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
Habitat for Humanity workers built the home. Officials with iThink Financial worked behind the scenes not only to fully furnish the residence, but to add personal touches to the family’s liking, said Stephen L. Johnson, associate vice-president of administration and marketing.
Johnson said the surprise home furnishing was a “labor of love.”
“A lot of times with Habitat for Humanity homeowners, they’re moving from a studio or one-bedroom apartment over to a three-bedroom home. They don’t have the means to furnish that home,” Johnson said. “That’s where the iThink Community Foundation comes into play. We go ahead and procure all of the materials. Our employees donate their time to come and decorate the home. Habitat for Humanity builds the house and iThink Community Foundation makes it a home.”
Johnson said iThink officials learned about the family’s interests through the application process to obtain a small furnishing item. Johnson said those who are chosen have no idea that their entire homes will be furnished.
“Through the application process, we learn about the family’s background, current scenario, what they’re looking to achieve, where they want to vacation and other interests,” Johnson said.
Habitat for Humanity started building the home last October, Johnson said. It took two and a half hours to completely furnish the residence before closing day on Tuesday.
The day initially seemed normal for Sarah, who completed errands before she drove up to her new household.
Sarah with her daughters Ciara, Sariah and Chanel at their new, fully furnished home on June 25, 2024. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
“On closing day, it’s just a house without furniture,” said Richard Notargiacomo, supervisor for Indian River Habitat for Humanity. “She was expecting bare floors and nothing on the walls.”
Just last year, Indian River Habitat for Humanity built or renovated 10 new homes, repaired up to 110 houses including 18 belonging to veterans, served 22 families in global partner countries and restored four homes for affordable housing, according to its website. The agency’s mission is to not only build homes, but to break the cycle of poverty and guide families toward self-reliance and dignity.
Sarah exuded feelings of excitement, joy and gratitude after stepping foot in the home. Her three daughters wasted no time running to their rooms, jumping on the beds and completing a Baby Shark bead kit activity.
Overcome with emotion, Sarah said the little touches to the residence were perfect.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Sarah said.
Photos by Nick Samuel
