EATONTON, Ga. — Putnam County Habitat recently celebrated the groundbreaking for Habitat House No. 28.

On Sept. 28, friends, family and community members came together to celebrate the special moment for Habitat for Humanity homeowner Tawana Ellison.

The ceremony was a testament to the strength of community spirit, with support from local leaders, volunteers and Ellison’s family.

Putnam County Board of Commissioners chairman Bill Sharp and County Manager Paul Van Haute were in attendance, showing their continued dedication to affordable housing efforts. Pastor Gregory Ellison led the event with a touching blessing, while Georgia College & State University student Zach Zachry assisted with the setup and breakdown.

This groundbreaking kicks off a critical chapter in the “Building Hope” campaign, which aims to raise $200,000 by the end of the year to support the construction of affordable homes for families in need. Every home build represents a collective effort of love, labor and generosity — evidence of what can be achieved when a community comes together.

One special opportunity to support the mission is the inaugural Building Hope Gala, set to take place Nov. 14 at Barrel 118 in downtown Eatonton. The evening promises a cocktail reception, dinner, live entertainment, and keynote speaker Audrey King, senior vice president of Region External Affairs at Georgia Power. Table sponsorships are still available, and proceeds from the event will directly contribute to the “Building Hope” campaign.

For more information on the gala or to reserve a table, visit www.putnamcountyhabitat.org/buildinghopegala or call 706-991-1600.