The Joy of Giving the New Home Welcome Gift to One Lucky Winner
Published: December 22, 2017
As part of its launch of the Homebuyer Direct Program, the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA) offered a homeowner giveaway promotion where they gave away a house absolutely free! 8633 S Parnell Ave is a beautiful, completely refurbished 1,900 sq. ft. home located in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. On Friday, December 22, 2017, one lucky winner got to call this location home, just in time for the holidays.
The winner, "Elaine Lee, 66, was overwhelmed with emotion as she entered her new home in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood. Lee lost her husband in 2004 and then her home in 2007. She had been living with family ever since." See footage below courtesy of Channel 7, ABC Chicago.
CCLBA has been a strong partner of the Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC). When CCLBA executive director, Rob Rose called and asked if we would provide a new home welcome package at the giveaway, it was all hands on deck. We wanted to ensure the typical goodies from a realtor, light bulbs, paint brush, including a nice bottle of wine to christen the home were part of the package. The welcome gift was also layered with information on local schools, organizations, businesses, little touches unique to Auburn Gresham, and some fun GAGDC neighborhood trinkets thrown in for neighborly measure.
Carlos Nelson, executive director of Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation, presented the welcome kit in a bright orange bag sporting the new Auburn Gresham community logo, with its moto, Authentic, Genuine, a golden opportunity. He was honored to participate with Cook County leadership, their staff, residents and the 21st Ward office staff to present this bag of goodies to such a deserving family. "Welcome to the community; Welcome home Mrs. Lee!," says Nelson.
The Cook County Land Bank Authority works to reduce vacant land & abandoned buildings and return them to reliable & sustainable community assets.