Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties will host a ‘Mortgage Burning Ceremony’ on Friday, December 3rd in honor of Ms. Vicki Cooper. Ms. Cooper closed on her Habitat home in December of 1996 with an original note of $48,744.00. She recently paid off the mortgage for her South St. Pete home, two months before the maturity date.
Vicki Cooper originally completed her Habitat Homeowner application in October of 1993 at just 27 years old. As a single mother, she applied for the program to provide a safe, stable environment for her two daughters, aged eight and four. After three years and 350 sweat equity hours, the Cooper Family home was completed on land that was deeded to Habitat from supporter, David Lockett.
Habitat for Humanity made it easier for Ms. Cooper to buy a home and have something to call her own. “My kids benefitted greatly. They enjoyed having a stable home and no longer having to move from apartment to apartment.” Now, at 56 years old, Vicki is celebrating the end of her mortgage. Her youngest daughter still lives at home, and Vicki is now a grandma of seven. Additionally, Monique Cooper, one of Vicki’s daughters, is following in her mother’s footsteps and currently working toward getting her own Habitat home. “Habitat has done a great job giving low-income people a chance to have their own home.”
Media are invited to attend the ceremony on Friday, December 3rd at 4:30 PM, located at Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties’ Administrative Headquarters, 14010 Roosevelt Blvd, Suite 704 Clearwater, FL 33762.
