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December 2024/January 2025| maconmagazine.com 65 bedroom house provided by Habitat for Humanity. "When I say Habitat saved her life, I mean that literally," said Tom Vinh of his mother. He and his sister did sweat equity volunteer work for Habitat during the building of the family domicile. "I was only 14 or 15. Since we were tiny, people would use us to get into small spaces." The family bonded with many people in the Central Georgia community due to their involvement with Habitat for Humanity. Many of those bonds exist to this day. "There are so many acts of kindness that comes from the people in that organization," Tom Vinh said. One of those people was Fred Tamer, who he and his sister remain very close to today. "He's closer to me than my own father is." Tom Vinh said. His children call Tamer and his wife Papa and Nana. "If my house was on fire, he's the one I would call." Tamer is an Air Force veteran and a crew leader, who has been volunteering with Habitat for almost 20 years. He still often uses his Saturdays helping to construct houses for Houston County Habitat for Humanity. "I've been swinging a hammer for 30 years," Tamer said. He considers the Trans part of his family. Both Tom Vinh and Kathy refer to him as Mr. Fred. They are estranged from their biological father. Another key person who helped the Tran family through the years is Bill Goggin, currently the Director of Houston County Habitat. "Habitat offers a hand up, not a hand out," he states about the program. LEFT: Tom Vinh Tran photographed where he works as a pharmacist. Photo by DSTO Moore. ABOVE: Hue Tran with daughter Kathy May. "She was an immigrant woman. A single woman who taught herself English. God has truly watched over us. Even when things went bad, they were a blessing in disguise." ( 47 8 ) 4 6 1 - 2 3 7 8 a b a s s @ e a g l e ro c ks . c o m In-home wine tasting with Allan Bass, certified Sommelier W i n e g l a s s e s p rov i d e d fo r m i n i m a l c l e a n u p. from all of us at HISTORIC MACON FOUNDATION Go to historicmacon.org to join or donate today