Woman Who Kept Sister's Dying Wish Helped by Sorority
Heroic mom given new home by ABC's "Extreme Makeover"
Felicia Jackson, who fulfilled her sister's dying wish by vowing to raise her 10 children, in addition to her own four, was the beneficiary of a new home and new hope-courtesy of ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition, community builder Classic Homes, and the Gaithersburg, MD Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The Jackson story was the feature of the season premiere of the ABC hit show, which recently aired.
Felicia's journey began in 2004, when her sister Cassandra died of cervical cancer. Before she passed, she asked Felicia to promise to keep her 10 children together and to love, care for and raise them.
After keeping her promise, suddenly Felicia's family grew to 14 children, since she had four of her own. The kids ranged in age from 1 to 14 years: eleven of the children were in school, and the three youngest stayed home.
Felicia gladly assumed this awesome responsibility because of her love for family. Having grown up in foster care, Cassandra and Felicia had dreamed all of their lives about how they were going to keep their families together. With Cassandra gone, it was up to Felicia to make those dreams come true.
Soon after Cassandra passed, Xi Sigma Omega Chapter learned about this family. Chapter members galvanized around this family and immediately started rendering assistance.
Chapter members pose with Felicia Jackson (center in B&W floral dress) and her family.
Housing 14 children presented an immediate challenge and, five years after Cassandra's death, housing remained an issue.
Extreme Makeover learned about this family and built a house by Classic Homes, a community builder that believes in donating to worthy causes. Xi Sigma Omega Chapter members and people throughout the community volunteered to help build the house.
The new home is an architectural wonder with plenty of room, including a spacious kitchen and dining area where everyone can eat together.
Most of all, the home is decorated with tributes to Felicia for her love and strength in keeping the family together.
Chapter president Henderson Walker (far left) with members of a local homeless advocacy group and the family in front of their new home.
While the gifting of the house represents a dramatic show of generosity and a tremendous boost to the family, Chapter president Carolyn Henderson Walker said, "There are lots of things she still needs."
Henderson Walker said the Chapter has raised $40,000 toward a $50,000 pledge it made in June, for a trust fund to help the family with maintenance costs and household expenses.
"The Chapter remains very committed to the family and will continue to be," said Henderson Walker.