Fuller Center renovates home in Lanett during holidays

BY JOHN BRICE

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

LANETT — As part of its ongoing Greater Blessings project, the Fuller Center recently renovated two homes in Lanett in time for the holiday season. Two families received weatherization assistance — one living in District 1, represented by Lanett City Council Member Denise Zachery — and the other in District 5, represented by Council Member Kim Roberts.

Zachery shared details about the renovations in her district.

“We visited Samuel McLemore on Cherry Drive,” Zachery said. “The Fuller Center Greater Blessings project prompted all this. We asked him what he would like to have done, and he said the windows and the door because he wanted to try to bring down his utility bill. We’re praying that his bill has come down. We put in nine windows and a door for him. Kim did another project in her district, and this month I’ll be doing another project in mine.”

Zachery said the effort began with conversations about giving back during the holiday season.

“It was basically the Fuller Center,” she said. “We sat around and talked and wanted to reach out and help someone before Thanksgiving — to bless them in a way nobody thought they would ever be blessed. This is a continuing effort with the Fuller Center. They are always out to help people. We also blessed two children at Christmas with a tree and toys.”

She said homeowners interested in assistance must meet certain requirements.

“Basically, you have to be a homeowner — it has to be your property,” Zachery said. “Then you contact Robin or Kim with the Fuller Center, and it goes from there. It makes me feel good because we don’t always know the need until we get out in the field. When you see these people and ask them what they need, it becomes an emotional moment. You can help someone who’s been in need for a long time but never thought it would happen to them.”

Zachery said she plans to continue working directly in the community.

“I’m going to continue to be out there — boots on the ground,” she said. “I’ll help whomever I can, but I’ll be specifically targeting District 1.”

Council Member Kim Roberts also discussed the renovation efforts in her district.

“Ms. Zachery is in District 1, and Mr. McLemore needed new windows and a front door because of air coming in,” Roberts said. “The Fuller Center stepped up and installed all new windows and a front door with a peephole. He was so excited.”

Roberts said the need in District 5 was equally urgent.

“In my district, we had a family living in a house where the roof was literally caving in,” she said. “He told me, ‘I go to bed at night wondering if I’m going to wake up with my roof on top of me.’ He doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. The Fuller Center put a brand-new roof on his home.”

Roberts said she is thankful for the organization and reaffirmed her commitment to identifying needs in the community.

“Thank God for the Fuller Center,” she said. “Lanett is blessed to have an organization willing to step up and work on windows, doors and roofs. Since becoming a council member, I’ve been out looking. A lot of times people don’t want to come forward, and we understand that. When I see something, I go meet the family and ask, ‘Is this your need?’ That’s how we’ve been doing it. Get ready, Lanett — get ready for 2026.”