It was a festive atmosphere recently at the south Fayette County home of life-long resident Walter Prayor, the recipient of a new bathroom and other home upgrades through the assistance of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH).
Above, daughter Francine Prayor looks on as her father, Walter Prayor, cuts the ribbon at his home recently, now outfitted with a new bathroom and other upgrades through the efforts of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. Photo/Ben Nelms.
The 81-year-old Prayor was referred to SCHFH earlier this year by Fayette Senior Services and the Meals on Wheels program after it was learned that he had no bathroom in his home, according to SCHFH Family Service Coordinator Megan Hepker.
Hepker said the home was built by Prayor’s father and uncle, with help from Prayor, in 1946 and did not include a bathroom.
Now living alone, Prayor for the past decades has been using an outhouse on the property, taking “bucket showers,” Hepker said previously.
Learning of the need, SCHFH then set out to raise the funds and materials needed to transform an existing room into a bathroom.
Daughter Francine Prayor during the brief ceremony on Oct.27 showed obvious emotion while reading a letter from her father. The letter explained that Walter was humbled and grateful for the assistance, calling Habitat for Humanity his angel.
The ceremony concluded with Walter Prayor cutting the ribbon on his front door and inviting the assembled group to see the transformation of his home.
That tranformation included the new bathroom, along with a new septic system, new kitchen sink, a freshly painted home exterior and window repairs.
SCHFH CEO Cynthia Jenkins during the ceremony said the project was the result of hundreds of volunteers and donors, including business donors.
“We count it a privilege to be able to do this for you,” Jenkins told Prayor.
As is customary with all SCHFH projects, Prayor was presented a Bible signed by donors and an American flag for his home.
For more information on SCHFH contact Megan Hepker at 770-477-2367.
