UPDATED: A Home for Blake, 2-Year-Old Son of Jessie Davis
July 21 2007 - 7:06PM
PR Newswire (US)
- Countrywide Donating House to Blake, Grandma and Crowded Family -
HARTVILLE, Ohio, July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- After the nightmare
they've been through for the past two months, the young son and
other members of murder victim Jessie Davis' family had Jessie's
dream granted on Saturday. At a festival to raise money for the
Blake Davis Trust Fund and its campaign for Blake's Bright Tomorrow
on Saturday in Hartville, Ohio, the 2-year-old, his grandmother,
Patty Porter, and other family members received a big surprise.
Countrywide Home Loans announced that it would donate a home to the
trust fund to be renovated by volunteers from the Homebuilders
Association of Portage and Summit Counties and given to Porter and
Blake as their family residence. Jessie Davis, nine months pregnant
with Blake's sister, Chloe, went missing from her Lake Township,
Ohio, home in June. Her disappearance prompted a massive volunteer
search effort that prompted national media attention. Her body was
discovered 10 days later. Porter took her grandson into her already
crowded small apartment home in Green, Ohio, where six now live.
"Jessie dreamed of owning her own home for Blake and Chloe," Patty
Porter said. "I was content in our little apartment, but with
Blake, we really can use more space. I'm overwhelmed (by the gift
of a house). All I can say is 'Thank you!'" "Countrywide has
facilitated the dream of homeownership for millions of American
families, and this family needs and deserves a home of their own,"
said John Turcanik, Regional Builder Manager for Countrywide.
"Studies show that homeownership promotes family stability. We hope
this gift will provide a sense of security for Blake, as well as a
place for him to grow and a yard for him to play in." Countrywide's
participation in the Blake's Bright Tomorrow initiative began when
the idea was presented to Turcanik by Carmine Torio, executive vice
president of the local Homebuilders Association. Torio said the
members of his organization were eager to volunteer to renovate a
house where Patty can raise Blake. "This demonstrates the kind of
relationship that Countrywide fosters not just with its customers
and associates in the building industry, but with the communities
it serves," said Torio. "We are excited to get started on
renovations, just as soon as a suitable house is selected." "When
Countrywide told us earlier this week that they would give us a
house for Patty, Blake and their family, it really made our day.
More importantly, it will make a lifetime of difference to them,"
said Gay Stevens- Fragale of the Blake Davis Trust Fund. "This is a
giant leap toward Blake's Bright Tomorrow." "This never would have
happened without the leadership provided by organizers of the Blake
Davis Trust Fund and the motivation of the local homebuilders,"
said Turcanik. "Countrywide is glad they asked us to be part of
making this special gift." Saturday's festival at the Hartville
Marketplace and Kitchen complex featured silent and live auctions,
food sales and donation collections that initial tabulations
indicated would exceed $20,000 for Blake's Bright Tomorrow. One
goal of the initiative is to provide for Blake's college education.
Donations to the Blake Davis Trust Fund can be made on-line at
BlakesBrightTomorrow.com, or mailed to: 101 Central Plaza South,
Suite 1000; Canton, OH 44702. DATASOURCE: Blake Davis Trust Fund
CONTACT: Gay Stevens-Fragale of Blake Davis Trust Fund,
+1-704-400-8829; or Rick Simon of Countrywide, +1-818-426-3872 Web
site: http://www.countrywide.com/
http://www.blakesbrighttomorrow.com/
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