“Messages of Hope” – 2019 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway House in Lakeland this morning
There was a floor-signing party at the 2019 St. Jude Dream Home® Giveaway house in Lakeland this morning (4.25.19) and one of the first to sign the concrete was Jaxon, a Lakeland resident and St. Jude patient.
The 17-year-old Arlington High School junior penned “Never give up” on the concrete floor of the home in Winstead Farms during a ceremony attended by sponsors, city leaders and community members.
Jaxon and his mom Cresta spoke to over one hundred people who attended the event to celebrate all that has been done and achieved as a team for the Dream Home.
“This event gives you the opportunity to leave your mark on the home before installing carpet and other finishing touches,” said Deborah Umstead with Southern Serenity Homes, builder of the Dream Home. “It’s to celebrate everything we’ve done and achieved together as a team, leaving your mark on the home forever.”
“At this event, sponsors, city leaders and community members who contributed to the building of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway house gathered to write messages of hope on the house’s foundation before the flooring is installed,” said Megan Tancrell, senior regional development director, ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Jaxon said he was diagnosed in March 2014 with a brain tumor and endured four rounds of chemotherapy and seven weeks of intense radiation. “I have been in remission almost five years this past March,” he said. “If it wasn’t for St. Jude, I would not be standing here today,”
Dr. Susan Aguillard, ALSAC/St. Jude Boards member, addressed the group, thanked all for coming and said she had never seen so many attend a floor-signing in the past. She said ticket sales are surpassing last year with over 50% sold.
Builder Greg Bridgers, president of Southern Serenity Homes, said it was very exciting to see so many people attend. “I’ve been doing this 13 years and never had this kind of turnout. Incredible.”
He added, “This is the greatest, greatest charitable hospital in the world and it’s in our back yard.”
This year’s sponsors include Southern Serenity Homes, WMC Action New 5, Renaissance Realty, KIX106, The Commercial Appeal, La Prensa Latina, Radio Ambiente, The Tri-State Defender, At Home Memphis & MidSouth Magazine, Ashley HomeStore®, Stash Home, Wolfchase Honda and Wolfchase Nissan, as well as national sponsors Brizo, Shaw Floors, Trane and Bosch.
The home, valued at an estimated $475,000, was built by Southern Serenity Homes and is located at 5406 Adagio Lane off U.S. Highway 70. The home features an estimated 3,400 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a generous foyer, exquisite hardwood floors and a spacious master bedroom with en suite bath. Guests can reserve a $100 ticket for the chance to win the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway house and other prizes, including jewelry, a $1,000 VISA gift card or choice of a 2019 Honda Civic LX or Nissan Sentra S.
Proceeds from ticket sales for the 2019 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway will help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital continue to lead the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases, said Mrs. Tancrell.
For more than 28 years, the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway has become one of the largest single-event fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital nationwide. This is the 20th anniversary of the program launch in Memphis,
To date, more than 500 houses have been awarded, and the program has raised more than $420 million for St. Jude. Because a majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors through programs such as this, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation.
For more information, call 980-221-7220 or visit dreamhome.org.
The Home will be open for viewing at no cost on weekends, starting May 18th and running through June 16th: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Mrs. Tancrell said tickets are $100 each and only 14,500 tickets will be sold.
The Giveaway will be live June 23rd on WMC Action News 5.
… Photos by Jim Willis, Lakeland Currents
