Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties celebrated the Cookinson Family and their journey to affordable homeownership on Wednesday, May 8, at 9 a.m. at 2174 16th Ave S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712. Single mom, Denise, put in at least 350 sweat equity hours and completed 36 homebuyer education classes to earn a 0% fixed-interest mortgage and the keys to her Habitat Home. The Cookinson Family Home is sponsored by 2023 Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Davisha Earley.

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing, Brandon Hagel, presents Lightning Community Hero Davisha Earley with $50,000 check before game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 21, 2023. PHOTO CREDIT: Tampa Bay Lightning/NHL

On October 21, 2023, Habitat Homeowner and board member Davisha Earley was honored by the Tampa Bay Lightning as a Lightning Community Hero during a home game at Amalie Arena against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Earley received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and Lightning Community Heroes program, which in turn was donated to Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties. That $50,000 has helped to build the Cookinson Family Home. During the build process, employees from the Lightning and Vinik Sports Group spent a day working on the home by installing window shutters, and doorknobs, improving energy-efficiency by caulking outlets and lighting fixtures, and paint touch-ups. Read more about Davisha Earley being a Lightning Community Hero.

Employees from the Tampa Bay Lightning and Vinik Sports Group swung hammers with Habitat on the Cookinson Family Home on April 18th. PHOTO CREDIT: Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.
Media are invited to attend all home dedications. Interviews will be granted upon request.

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and West Pasco Counties
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties has served nearly 900 homeowner partners since 1985. Volunteers and future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of the area median income. Candidates must demonstrate the need for adequate shelter; the ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and the willingness to partner with Habitat to complete a robust homebuyer education curriculum and invest 350 to 450 “sweat equity” hours. Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that homeownership contributes to family stability, leading, in turn, to community stability. The affiliate will celebrate its 900th home milestone on June 21, 2024, For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitatpwp.org.