When Marion Sullivan and 19 of her family members fled from Hurricane Katrina, she prayed they’d make it to Shreveport safely.

Now, five years later, her tears are joyful.

“I started crying and thanking God,” she said. “I know he was responsible for getting us here.”

Sullivan is a recipient of one of two houses constructed Monday during the inaugural Millard Fuller Legacy Build.

The event was part of a 100-house nationwide blitz honoring Millard Fuller, late founder of The Fuller Center and Habitat for Humanity. Lee Jeter, executive director of the Fuller Center of Northwest Louisiana, said that build falls on Fuller’s wedding anniversary. The center worked in collaboration with the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

“We work together to obliterate substandard housing,” Jeter said.

The houses were built in the 1400 block of Alston Street in the Allendale neighborhood. By the end of the blitz, the non-profit would have constructed its 40th house.

Louise Cummings, a double amputee who has diabetes, will live in her house with her granddaughter and great-grandson. The house is sponsored by First United Methodist Church and will be constructed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Cummings already has plans for her new home. She’ll move in her furniture and then sit on the porch.

“I’m going to do something crazy,” she said. “I’m going to get my granddaughter to cook me a big old meal.”

St. Marks Cathedral, First Baptist Church, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church and Church of the Holy Cross sponsored Sullivan’s house.

“I thank God,” she said. “He gave me another chance. If it wasn’t for him, I never would have made it. I’m glad I’m here in Shreveport. I never thought I would leave New Orleans.”

© Icess Fernandez/Shreveport-Times – ifernandez@gannett.com

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