Hometown Habitat News

Mike Welch Legacy Build – In Honor of Mike

alston family dedication and mike welch legacy celebration 2023

In partnership with volunteers from across the country, Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter is dedicating the home built during their first ‘blitz build’. The Mike Welch Legacy Build completed building the home from the foundation up in only four weeks, between February 27th and March 25th, 2023.

The build was sponsored by family and friends of Mike Welch. Mike spent a significant amount of time as Construction Manager with the Habitat Lake-Sumter affiliate prior to working for Habitat for Humanity International as the US. Director of Long-term Disaster Recovery.

In Mike’s memory and to honor his life, this Habitat home was constructed for Dionna Alston. This local family was in need of decent, affordable housing. Dionna and her sons, Travon and Dashi, had lived in the same apartment complex since 2013. As a single mother and grandmother, Dionna was accustomed to being solely responsible for meeting the needs of her family.

“I always prayed that one day I could stop renting and obtain my own home. Renting has become more and more expensive throughout the years, and it has not always been the best experience. It was time to step out on faith to reach my goal of home ownership.”

~ Dionna, Homeowner

This Legacy Build, with the partnership of every person involved, helped Dionna’s family realize every bit of her growth and the hard work she put in to build her credit, was beyond her imagination.  

“It is never too late to realize your dreams. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity and all of the people who came together to build our home for helping me to realize mine for me and my family.”

~ Dionna

Mike’s memory will live on in advocacy and Habitat’s mission – building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

“We are privileged to celebrate the spirit of a great community investor, Mike Welch. Building alongside his friends, family, and top-brass members of Habitat for Humanity to commemorate Mike’s lasting influence and to build a home for a deserving family has been memorable,” says Danielle Stroud, CEO and President of Habitat Lake-Sumter.

A Legacy Build not only honors your loved ones but impacts generations, to learn more about Legacy Builds, contact Lacie at (352) 396-6763 or Lacie@HabitatLS.org