FLINT, Mich. – Two needy families were picked up by limo and dropped off at their new homes yesterday, courtesy of Dort FCU and its Home for the Holidays contest.
The two families: Kara O'Hearn and her three children, Diablo, 4, Dominique, 4 and Jayda, 1, and Marc and Scholeigh Kyle and their three young kids, were given the keys to new homes.
The two homes, one in Flint and one in Davison Township, were renovated foreclosures given away as part of the credit union’s first Home for the Holidays contest. Other businesses donated appliances and holiday decorations.
Dort Federal usually gives away a year-end bonus to members–last year it was $1 million–but decided to share its largesse this year in a different way. The value of the two properties after renovations is about $300,000.
The O'Hearns and the Kyles were two of eight finalists who were selected from 100 applicants hoping to receive one of the homes.
A selection committee made up of credit union executives and area charitable organizations sorted through applications from about 100 families.
The families must attend financial counseling.
