Virginia Braswell was met Tuesday morning with a surprise birthday party that also celebrated her retirement as Daviess County Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director — with the big gift being a $1 million donation by Fiscal Court toward the Virginia Braswell Fund.
Judge-Executive Al Mattingly said the donation is to celebrate Braswell’s nearly 30 years of service to the organization.
“She has been instrumental in fulfilling the Habitat mission of seeking to put God’s love into action and bring people together to build homes, communities and hope,” Mattingly said.
During her time at Habitat, Braswell said that she has seen the work of God showcase itself in several different ways — whether it be IMPACT 100 grants, the efforts from the builders, and much more.
But she said the team she has worked with and the cause she has worked for has been the best part of it all.
“This has been a wonderful experience, a reason to get up in the morning, and it’s a good thing — no it’s been a God thing,” she said.
And the check from Fiscal Court was the metaphorical icing on the cake of her birthday party. She was overwhelmed by the surprise.
Incoming Executive Director Jeremy Stephens said celebrating Braswell and having the ability to follow the mission she’s set for Habitat is an honor.
“I am humbled by her amazing ability to always put others first, and that is something I was taught as a child in my home. So I’m just honored to carry that tradition on,” Stephens said.
With the money that was donated, Stephens said he plans to put every dollar toward the focus that Braswell has set in stone already: ensuring that the people who don’t have an opportunity to live in a safe home receive it.
