DOTHAN, Ala.– Five Star Credit Union, in partnership with JOY FM, awarded Donna Clevenger as the recipient of the 2022 Home Free promotion. Home Free is free rent or mortgage for a year for a JOY FM listener with Five Star Credit Union providing the sponsorship money.
Clevenger, who lives in Headland, Ala., receives the Home Free to cover her living expenses for 2023. Clevenger has been a foster parent for more than 10 years. She and her husband have adopted nine children from the foster care system. Clevenger’s husband recently passed away after battling cancer for five years and the family has lived on disability and social security since his cancer diagnosis.
“Ms. Clevenger was chosen for her giving heart and dedication to putting others first,” said Robert A. Steensma, president/CEO of Five Star Credit Union. “She has tried very hard to provide for children that have been in the foster system. Giving them hope for a life filled with love. She and her husband have been models of what one family can provide for many. Five Star is happy to award this to Ms. Clevenger so that it will brighten her family’s future.”
The Clevenger’s opened their home to many children over the years. Oftentimes, they took in children from surrounding communities that did not have a place to stay. Following Mr. Clevenger’s cancer diagnosis, helost his job and Donna had to become his caregiver. In 2019, the Clevenger’s lost one of their daughters to anauto accident. Through all their turbulations, the Clevenger’s rarely asked for help or handouts, the credit union said.
Clevenger was chosen from more than 400 nominations that were submitted by JOY FM listeners during 2022. This is the second year that Five Star and JOY FM have awarded a Wiregrass Family with Home Free to cover