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photo by Hannah Reel
Owner of Tillage Construction L.L.C. Ken Tillage and carpenter Arthur Clark install the trim on the cabinets that Tillage donated to the Habitat for Humanity house on Smith Street Saturday afternoon.
Habitat receives big gift from fraternity
Published Sunday, October 4, 2009
NATCHEZ — The Natchez chapter of Habitat for Humanity received a gift too big to be wrapped in paper and bows on Saturday.
Ken Tillage, of Baton Rouge, a member of the Natchez Alumnae Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, delivered and installed all the cabinets for the kitchen of the Habitat house on Claiborne Street in Natchez.
“This isn’t about me. This is what our fraternity does,” Tillage said. “Habitat is one of the national causes our fraternity supports so really this is just the Natchez chapter doing its part.”
Video
Ken Tillage of the Natchez chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity talks about the fraternity's donation of time and materials to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Watch »
Tillage’s construction company made the cabinets in their workshop in Baton Rouge, rented a moving truck to deliver the cabinets and installed them Saturday morning.
Habitat for Humanity builds houses for low-income families with volunteer labor and donated supplies.
Andrew Calvit, president of the Natchez Habitat for Humanity chapter, said donations like the one Tillage and Kappa Alpha Psi delivered are invaluable in terms of money and time.
Typically, Calvit said, it takes about three weeks to build cabinets and install them in each house. Tillage did all of his work in Baton Rouge and spent only one day installing everything.
“In terms of money that saved us more than $2,000,” Calvit said. “That is money we can put into the house somewhere else or use on our next project.”
Working along side the Natchez Alumnae Chapter members were current members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at Alcorn State University.
Tillage is an Alcorn State graduate.
Calvit said having that many people on site to working was a blessing that has been happening a lot lately.
Two weekends ago the Natchez Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority spent the day priming walls and doors. Saturday, alumnae members as well as members of the Alcorn State chapter were on hand again doing more painting.
Berthenia Rose Jackson, president of the alumnae chapter, said her group was happy to help.
“We are our sister’s keeper,” Jackson said. “We are a community service group and Habitat is one of the groups that we support at a national level.”
With all the weekend help, Calvit said the current Habitat house is well on its way to being completed for a November dedication.
“When the Deltas were here painting that put us about two weeks ahead of schedule,” Calvit said. “Now, with the cabinet installation, we are more than a month ahead of schedule.”
Tillage said he doesn’t want any recognition personally, because as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, helping others is just something he’s supposed to do.
“We enjoy community service,” Tillage said. “When someone is in need, we find a way to fulfill that need. That is what we are all about.”
Tillage contacted Calvit to find out what need Kappa Alpha Psi could help meet in the house. From there, the deal was struck all by telephone.
“When you are working with someone on the phone that you’ve never met, sometimes it can make you a little uneasy,” Calvit said. “But Mr. Tillage was true to his word every step of the way and delivered these beautiful cabinets right on schedule.”
Tillage said he and Kappa Alpha Psi are working with Calvit to create a partnership for other Habitat for Humanity projects.
“He doesn’t want this to be a one time thing,” Calvit said. “That’s the kind of dedication we need on these projects.”
Comments
Posted by mrbobo (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 1:18 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by pollym44 (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonderful story!! Great to hear good news for a change. THANK YOU FOR REMOVEING THE COMMENTS ABOVE!!!
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
How wonderful the fraternities and sororities are partnering with Habitat. This is what Greek organizations should be doing more of. Habitat is a wonderful organization and has helped many families in MS and LA since Katrina.
Posted by jbaby (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great job! Community service, community involvment is what we all need, whether participating in it or receiving it. It does everyone good!
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a sweet man is Mr. Tillage. I loved this story this morning, ND!!!
Posted by SIOUXLADY (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO K.A.Y.
DOING GOOD. BE BLESSED
Posted by sandra (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
habitat is OVER-developing in some other cities while concentrating poverty and creating segregated neighborhoods. do not be deceived. the saying is that a message to the wise should be sufficient. there are thirty-five hundreds homes up for sale in nashville that should be sold or rented to low, medium or high income brackets but such is not the case. lawsuits have been filed but habitat seems to be unstoppable. the schools have now been re-zoned which turns back the hands of time to a segregated public school system. all that glitters is not gold. watch your back.
Posted by tilex (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Knowledgable persons would know that those lucky enough to get one of the Habitat homes, have jobs, and must provide sweat eqiuity and work on the home a certain number of hours. The problem is that without the Habitat program, they would never be able to own their own home, because of their salary status. Habitat is creating home ownership to some very deserving and honest people that are mostly single parents trying to live the american dream.
Neighborhoods are already segerated by choice of those that live there. In America you can live where ever you want to, if you can afford it. Don't attack an agency that is not paid, but must rely on volunteers to survive. I am a donater and a volunteer because I believe that the cause is genuine and sincere. To make anything better, get involved instead of criticize.
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sandra if what you say is true, then the citizens and voters in Nashville need to take it upon themselves to institute similar guidelines and requirements as Habitat does for it's families. There are 4,254 Multiple Listings in Nashville from 8 Million to $13,500.00. What is the city doing to get these houses off the market and into the hands of deserving families?
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm for everybody having a decent roof over their head but it does seem these houses are only built for a certain race of people. And that's just not right. I didn't get to read mrbobos comment but I have a pretty good idea it was similar to mine. I'd like to see the statistics to this well known fact.
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 5:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A guy just wrote a article in here a while back saying he was voluntering his time until the house,s owners drove up in a new SUV and his wife drove up in a Lexus. He said when he took his tools home that day he didn,t come back. He works everyday but couldn,t afford the high dollar cars they were driving..a lot of this habitat hoopla is a bunch of jammin and scammin.
Posted by sandra (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 6:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the lure is having ownership with interest-free payments for five years. when those interest-free years are exhausted or before then, the houses will be rented or sold. section eight will take over and you will have sub-standard houses. a person with an above average income will never move into a habitat home. the interest-free period will be over and low-income, poverty stricken people will be the products of the habitat, so called, affordable housing solution program. i am seeing this, first hand. this is not imaginary information that i am providing. you can take it or leave it, i am changing my attitude and accepting the fact that GOD will take a plan that is designed against someone and make it work where it will benefit everyone, remember Joseph? his brothers threw him in a pit and left him for dead but he rescued them from famine and disease, years later.
Posted by maryhelpme (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OMG!!! Some people take this GREAT article and turn around to disuss something negative. Get a grip! Can we focus on the positive for a chance. I don't care about the other stories of someone with the expensive cars and so on. And this is not a jammin and scammin situation!
Hats off to the Kappa Alpha Psi & Delta Sigma Theta Sorority!!!!!!!
Posted by chuckydaone (anonymous) on October 4, 2009 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Some people will find fault with heaven. It is in their nature. Keep up the good work regardless to who it helps.
Posted by DixieKratFan (anonymous) on October 5, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go NUPES Go!!!!!! Mr Pinkney would be very proud
Posted by faithblessings (anonymous) on October 5, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great Job!!!!!
Posted by soldout94 (anonymous) on October 5, 2009 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hats off to ASU! The people were great when I attended and contiue to be/do greater things for others.
God bless all of you, building up communities! Unselfish GIVING, how excellent!
Although I graduated from Southern U, ASU was my beginning into an uncharted journey.
I will never forget ASU and that beautiful campus. Oh, and neither the skunks who ventured into the dorm.
BUILDING UP COMMUNITIES, THAT'S WHAT WE DO !
Evangelist Mary Elizabeth
(A Natchez Native Daughter)
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on October 5, 2009 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((soldout94)) . . . skunks and snakes!!!! ASU is dear to my heart, too! I pledged Delta there and I am very happy to read that my Sorors are actively involved with Habitat for Humanity in Natchez. I volunteered with a crew from my law firm about 22 years ago and we had so much fun painting and landscaping the home of an elderly couple. We purchased groceries for them, too. The smiles on their faces were priceless!!!!
I wish the Natchez chapter of Habitat for Humanity was able to build more homes in Natchez area but these projects take a lot of time, money, resources and coordination.
My hat also goes off to Mr. Calvit, Mr. Tillage, Kappa Alpha Psi and Delta Sigma Theta for their efforts to help a needy family. You always feel better when you help someone else or do something unexpected to brighten someone else's day!
GREAT JOB . . . KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on October 5, 2009 at 6:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why do people that work 35 and 40 years before retiring,then have to pay outrageous health insurance and out of reach medications and still pay taxes.
And somone who never worked anything but the welfare system gets free housing,crazy checks,aid to dependant children,have 3 or 4 men visiting at night leaving some cash,fooling the general public and masses wind up with a Habitat for Humanity house,the whole mess stinks.
They know all the in,s and out,s to the letter and work it all to their advantage and scream bloody murderand racists if they are caught swindling the taxpayers.
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on October 5, 2009 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How do you classify as deserving people? The ones that never worked or planned for retirement or anything else,or the fifth generations welfare crew that mooches and sucks the taxpayer dry.
I heard people that lived in Natchez talking about gettin me some of that Katrina goverment money as soon as it made landfall,what did they have to do with any of it. The know how to apply and get money a hundred different ways.Pell grants,freebies,you name it they know it.
Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on October 5, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
((natashakubelikov)) you know so much about these people you're posting about -- quite a bit of information only a close friend, family member or confidante would know. You must be a part of their inner circle? If not, how else could you be privy to so much of their personal business and finances?
How many of them have you reported to the appropriate authorities?
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on October 6, 2009 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The proper authorities won,t and don,t do anything if you do report it. It,s a learned experience taught daily among themselves. Poor old us,we have been held back,they sit on their rears and live off of the sweat of others labors,I worked with a good many for years.Anything you bring up,suggest or make known to be the truth labels you as a hater,when in fact its an opinion.In this small town a lot of what goes on is known by most everybody about everybody.You know how it works because you or somone you know works the same system.Just like on tv when they were scamming the ACORN monies. Telling people what to lie about to get federal monies.
Posted by NatchezKappa1911 (anonymous) on October 6, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks everybody for the wonderful comments. As a member of the Natchez Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi we enjoy doing community service of this capacity. Along with Alcorn Chapter, Gamma Pi, we thank you!!! One Kappa...Good Job Nupes!!!
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