The memory of Marty Cloud lives on, helping 2014 close with a celebration for the Fuller Center for Housing of Webster Parish.
On Dec. 31, Executive Director Derek Melancon was notified that Cloud’s friends and family wished to build a house in her honor.
A long-time Minden resident and supporter of Fuller Center of Webster, Cloud passed away in May 2012.
“Marty and her husband, Duane were among the first Minden residents who committed themselves to the housing ministry when activity began in Minden almost 15 years ago when the organization was called Webster Habitat for Humanity,” Melancon said. “The Clouds were strong advocates of following the founder of Habitat, Millard Fuller, when he left that organization and founded The Fuller Center for Housing.”
The Clouds have been dedicated to giving back to their community and their church, St John’s Episcopal.
“Since Marty’s passing, Fuller Center of Webster has continued to receive donations in her honor,” Melancon said. “Sufficient funds have now been received to construct The Marty Cloud House in honor of Marty’s lifelong dedication to helping others.”
The Marty Cloud House is to be built in Legacy Acres, the subdivision that was created in 2011 to be the site of the 3rd Annual Millard Fuller Legacy Build. A ceremonial “wall raising” will be held at the house site at 1 p.m., Friday, Feb. 6. Legacy Acres is located on Pine Street. The event is open to the public.
“Construction on the home began early last week under the direction of A.J. Rayner, board member for the Fuller Center,” Melancon said.
It is slated for completion by the end of March, at which time the Fuller Center will hold a blessing and dedication of the new home. The house will be a three-bedroom, two-bath, energy efficient frame home designed at no charge to the Fuller Center by Contract Drafting Services of Bossier City.
“The recipient of the home is a deserving young lady with two children,” Melancon said.
To build a typical Fuller Center house, such as this one, takes approximately $50,000 to $55,000. Friends and family have now provided sufficient funds for the Fuller
Center of Webster to rapidly move forward on The Marty Cloud House.
“Volunteers are a major part of the ministry of Fuller Center of Webster,” Melancon said. “Both Marty and Duane Cloud have been seen on the work site with hammer in hand and a smile on their face. The Clouds have helped in the building of several houses including ones in Minden, Sibley, Doyline and Springhill.”
Volunteering also includes feeding those workers who are constructing the homes.
“Marty was the ‘point person’ many times in helping to coordinate meals for local and visiting volunteers,” Melancon said. “Returning college volunteers from all over the country were always anxious to go to St. John’s Episcopal for Marty’s famous ice cream sandwich dessert.
“God has truly blessed the Fuller Center of Webster over the years,” he continued. “This continues each and every day through the generosity of others.”
Melancon went on to say that this house will be the 53rd new home that the Fuller Center of Webster has constructed over the past 24 years and the nineth in Legacy Acres.
“Marty and Duane Cloud have been great friends to our ministry and to me personally and it humbles me to see the donation of sufficient funds to build this house in honor of Marty,” Charlie Park, former executive director, said.
During his time as executive director, Park led the ministry in building 45 new houses and rehabilitating another 15. Park retired two years ago after almost 14 years of service.
Melancon and Park agreed that in addition to the home being constructed in honor of Marty Cloud, the Fuller Center would like to construct one next door in honor of Duane Cloud.
“This would be a unique opportunity for all friends, business associates, and the entire Minden community to honor Duane Cloud,” Park said.
“Fuller Center of Webster has already set up a special account to accept donations in honor of Mr. Cloud,” Melancon added. “Those wishing to be a part of this special project honoring two wonderful people may participate by sending donations to the Fuller Center of Webster, P.O. Box 155, Springhill, LA 71075. Please make a note that this donation is in honor of Duane Cloud.”
Led by Dr. Charles Payne, Fuller Center of Webster was founded in 1991 to help families in need of simple decent housing. The Fuller Center of Webster is a 501(c) 3 not-for-profit and all donations are tax deductible. You may also donate securely online at www.fullercenterwebster.org.