Home for the Holidays Tour :
A Christmas gift for local families
By Christopher Harris
There ’ s no place like home for the holidays — even if it ’ s someone else ’ s home .
On November 12 and 13 , take part in the Home for the Holidays Tour and tour three of Somerset ’ s most beautifully decorated homes while helping a local family get a home of their own .
The annual tour serves as the signature fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Pulaski County Kentucky , which builds homes for applicants who may not otherwise have the opportunity to become homeowners . Holly Whitaker , local Habitat for Humanity board member , has been in charge of the fundraiser for several years and clearly sees the impact it ’ s had on Pulaski County families .
“ I always say when someone asks me that I ’ m from God ’ s country , but then it ’ s very disturbing to me when I learn that we have almost 25 percent of our population lower than the poverty level ,” she said . “ There are so many people that don ’ t have adequate heat or water or air conditioning in the summertime . I always say that we give someone the dream of having a home that never even thought that they could have that dream .”
The amount that the event brings in for Habitat for Humanity increases every year , said Whitaker ; she said she always sets a goal , and credits the generosity of Pulaski ’ s people and businesses for helping them meet that goal year after year .
“ We didn ’ t get to have anything in 2020 , but in 2019 , we had set the goal for $ 20,000 and we cleared $ 28,000 ,” she said . “ So because ( there was no tour in 2020 ), I set the goal for 2021 at $ 40,000 , and we cleared over $ 50,000 . So hopefully this year , we can exceed that . ... I think God has given me ( this year ’ s goal ).”
She noted that the money stays right here in Pulaski County to help local families in need of a home .
That money is made by showing off some of the nicest already-existing homes in the community .
“ We get sponsorships and sell tickets for a Christmas home tour ,” she said . “ We get individuals to open up their homes to us and have their houses totally decorated for Christmas really , really early .
“ We put people all over the homes
Santa sits in the foyer of the beautifully decorated home of Scott and Mandy Lynch .
Photo submitted
November 2022 SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky • 13