OXFORD – Chenango County Habitat for Humanity (CCHH) is starting off 2012 with some big announcements: they have a new partnering family who are big racing fans, they have a building site location, and they’ve rolled out plans for their first ever “Souper Bowl” soup fundraiser at the end of March. It sounds like they’re on the fast track to success!
Meet Lorraine Cornish; a stock car racing fan and a hard working single mother of two sons, who lives in West Bainbridge. She enjoys her job in food service at the Guilford Elementary school, but it’s a limited income. Lorraine never thought she could ever afford a house on her own… especially since one of her sons, Garrett, is special needs. Never-the-less, home-ownership has been her dream, and with volunteer help from Habitat, it will soon become a reality.
Lorraine was encouraged to apply for a CCHH home by her former boss, Kathy Benedict Knudsen and Garrett’s teacher, Norma Kinney, both who happen to be with Habitat. In time, Lorraine’s application was accepted by the selection committee based on their level of need, willingness to partner, acceptance of responsibilities, and ability to repay a no-interest mortgage.
Aside from accessibility needs, Lorraine said, “I just want four walls I can call mine!”
Lorraine’s elder boy, Garrett, has been a car racing buff all his life. He loves all types of racing and especially idolizes family friend and professional driver, Mitch Gibbs from North Norwich. At the tender age of four, Garrett was tragically in an elevator accident that almost took his life. Sadly, he suffered a traumatic brain injury which affected his motor skills and speech. As a supportive gesture, Mitch Gibbs won a trophy the same weekend as the accident and he dedicated it to Garrett.
Garrett, now twenty-one-years-old, is still a racing fan and continues to follow Gibbs (with 175 wins). Because Garrett lacks a sense of balance, he can only walk with assistance; mostly he uses a wheel-chair. Garrett will always need help with his regular day-to-day living and Lorraine intends to have him live with her as long as she’s physically able to care for him. She really needs a handicapped accessible house to make that happen.
