Maya Angelou, poet/author/speaker, wrote, “I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.”

Linda Cox of Preston agrees, and now that dream or wish for Cox has become true.

Above average temperatures didn’t put a damper on the spirits or attendance at the New Horizons Habitat for Humanity house dedication Saturday. About 30-40 people were present as Cox accepted the keys to her new home on Cass Street.

A tradition in all Habitat homes that New Horizons builds, really any Habitat organization builds, is for a special dedication service to be held. The homeowner is presented with a key as well as other items for the new home.

After a short dedication service, those in attendance enjoyed a special lunch of chicken on the grounds, and an opportunity to tour the home as well as speak with Cox.

Cox was selected to become part of the Habitat program in 2006. She qualified for her home due to the status of her previous home. Since being approved, Cox has demonstrated her willingness to partner by attending required homeowner workshops, completing her sweat equity requirements and saving for the down payment.

Local real estate advisor for the New Horizons Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Americus, Jim Slaughter, had this to say about Cox, “It is a wonderful heart tugging story to see the enthusiasm that Linda has demonstrated. She has been a good example of what a Habitat candidate should be. Her willingness to partner with us has been exciting to watch.”

New Horizons Habitat for Humanity is one of more than 2,100 independent affiliates around the world, building houses at the grass-roots level. Originally part of Habitat International, this affiliate has built houses in Sumter County since 1979. In 1992, Habitat created the Sumter County Initiative (SCI), a program designed to eliminate poverty housing throughout Sumter County. Since that time the New Horizons affiliate has built over 480 houses and completing the Sumter County Initiative in 2000.

Now the affiliate has shifted its focus to communities surrounding Sumter County — defining its mission to provide decent, affordable housing for residents of Macon, Schley, Terrell and Webster Counties in addition to continuing to support Habitat families in Sumter County. With the help of the four County chapters, New Horizons is now building simple decent homes for families who live in those counties. Since forming the chapters in the surrounding counties, New Horizons has partnered with the local chapters to build seven Habitat houses.

For more information about New Horizons, visit their website at http://www.newhorizonshabitat.org

Robert Griffin contributed to this story.