UPDATED: A Home for Blake, 2-Year-Old Son of Jessie Davis

- 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, [phone];

or Rick Simon of Countrywide, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.countrywide.com/

http://www.blakesbrighttomorrow.com/ 

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