Publix donates $15,000 for new Crestview home

From left, Kelly Arnette, Charlie Kessler, Nitsi Bennett, Kaneichawa Smith and Terry Bennett, display a check from Publix for a house being built by Habitat for Humanity in Okaloosa County. [AARON JACOBS | NEWS BULLETIN]

CRESTVIEW — Habitat For Humanity has received a sizable donation for the construction of a Crestview family's house. Publix donated $15,000 toward the project.

Nitsi Bennett, CEO of Habitat Okaloosa County, accepted the donation during a Feb. 26 check presentation-event at the site of the house.

“They have built an entire house, financed an entire house, about two years ago,” Bennett said, “and every single year for the past 15 years, they have given us a partial sponsor on every single house that we’ve ever built, so we love them.”

The house is for a woman who has custody of her granddaughter. Bennett said the house they were previously living in was old and in poor condition. As with other houses built by Habitat for Humanity, the family is required to participate in building the home.

“The guys are taking care of her, making sure that she doesn’t overdo it,” Bennett said. “But she’s become almost everybody’s grandmother here. She’s wonderful, and she’s got almost all of her sweat equity hours done.”

Once completed, the house will be the 60th Habitat Okaloosa County has built, including some in the same neighborhood. The house will include three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and is expected to be completed in late April or early May.

Anyone interested in helping Habitat Okaloosa County can visit www.habitatfwb.org, its Facebook page, email volunteer@habitatfwb.org or call 315-0025.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Publix donates $15,000 for new Crestview home