HOUSTON – After months of hard work, KPRC2’s sixth home for Houston Habitat for Humanity is officially complete.
On Tuesday, the new home was dedicated and new homeowner Kunisha Vessel and her kids will be able to move into their brand-new house.
In early January, Houston’s own Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale made a guest appearance to help surprise Vessel with the news that she would be the recipient of the 2019 KPRC Habitat Home.
Vessel moved to Houston from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when she was young and worked her way up from McDonald’s employee to a human resources position at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Vessel was emotional as she thanked all the people who helped build the home and her parents for taking her in time and time again.
"Thank you to my mom and my dad, who let me come back every time and lastly let me come back with two kids and two dogs," Vessel said. "With all the mess up and startups ... I finally did it for my (kids). I will do whatever it takes for these two kids because my parents did it for me. I love everybody who had a hand in this. I just want to say thank you."
A KPRC2 team was at the home ready to present Vessel with her new home.
During the ceremony, McIngvale presented Vessel with a $10,000 gift card to help furnish her new home.
“On behalf of Gallery Furniture, we want to wish the Vessel family all the love and happiness in their new house,” McIngvale said.
Other sponsors also had some other surprises for Vessel and her family.
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers gave Vessel and her kids free Freddy's for a year, Pappas restaurants gave her a $250 gift card and Sprouts Farmers Market also provided Vessel with a $250 gift card for groceries. Shipley Do-Nuts gave Vessel a gift basket to enjoy.
Carpet Giant gave the family a free area rug to accent the home and Village Plumbing & Air gave Vessel a gift basket and $350 gift card to Target.
Vessel said she was overwhelmed by the generosity.
“It’s amazing. It’s all I need. I am so happy. I am set up and I’m going to continue to be set up ... it’s so great,” she said.
Another #Houston family has earned a new home with @HoustonHabitat and #kprchabitathome! Be sure to tune in to watch our dedication ceremony with @kprc2owen, @KPRC2BillB, @KPRC2Frank and @KPRC2Dominique. https://t.co/tl33mDFMam pic.twitter.com/j35Pa2SZHb
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) April 16, 2019