It was the welcoming reception, the earliest ticket sell-out and the many compliments about the City which is bringing the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway to Lakeland in 2020 for the second consecutive year.
Dr. Susan M. Aguillard, chair of the St. Jude Dream Home project, spoke at the groundbreaking this morning (11.5.19) on Saffron Springs Drive, Lakeland, in the new development of Kensington Manor off U.S. Highway 70. She was joined by Greg Bridgers, founder of Southern Serenity homes, and Doug Swink, co-owner of Southern Serenity Homes. Mr. Swink is also president of Renaissance Realty.
Southern Serenity is building the Home with all proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
This is the 21st Home Giveaway for the Mid-South, the 13th Dream Home for Southern Serenity Homes and the second consecutive year for the St. Jude home to be in Lakeland.
The 20th annual St. Jude Dream Home was in Lakeland at 5406 Adagio Lane in Winstead Farms off Highway 70. A Dyersburg resident won the home in the June 23rd giveaway.
Dr. Aguillard said so many compliments were received about Lakeland. “And it was our earliest sell-out of tickets last year. We are excited to be in Lakeland next year.” She added that people really love Lakeland.
Mr. Bridgers said the home will be four bedrooms, three baths with vaulted ceilings, a huge laundry room with a dog wash area, an outdoor kitchen with grill area and playroom/media room. The 3,158 square-foot home will be a modern farmhouse look, he said. “It will be obvious it is the St. Jude Dream Home.”
He said it was quite a feat to get a second location in Lakeland. “We were welcomed so openly by Lakeland and we had such a good turnout. It was a record for ticket sales in Memphis.” He said he called in his favors in talking with Jere Bowden, partner with Regency Home Builders, the developer of Kensington Manor. “He donated a very sizeable amount of money in the discounted price of the lot,” said Mr. Bridgers. “The lot is right off Highway 70 with great visibility.”
Total ticket sales will be increased to 15,000 from 14,500 last year with the price per ticket staying at $100, said Dr. Aguillard. Opening day for ticket sales will be late March with the home open to the public in May 2020. Dr. Aguillard said there are three ticket promotions starting in March and running through June: Tickets Go on Sale, Early Bird Price and Bonus Prize with a new car going to the winner.
Representing the City were Mayor Mike Cunningham, Commissioners Richard Gonzales, Jr. and Wesley Wright, City Manager Shane Horn and City Planner Forrest Owens. Wil Ashworth and Brittney Buchanan attended from the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce.
During opening remarks, Dream Home officials thanked their local and national sponsors including the Ladies of St. Jude, Southern Serenity Homes, Regency Home Builders, media and Ashley Home Furniture.
Link to the program: https://www.stjude.org/give/dream-home/memphis.html
Link to Southern Serenity Homes: https://www.sshinfo.com/
Link to Kensington Manor: https://www.newregencyhomes.com/kensington-manor
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
