On Dec. 21, Neal moved into a new home with her sons, 15-year-old twins Kareem and Kadeem Neal, and her three nieces, Dezha Kirby, 11, Samantha Kirby, 9, and Raven Barbour, 18.

The family had been living in a three-bedroom trailer in Clayton. But Habitat for Humanity partnered with four banks — Four Oaks Bank, First Citizens Bank, KS Bank and BB&T — to build Neal a new home.

Neal applied for a Habitat home last year. “I was praising the Lord down the highway,” Neal said when she heard the good news. “The Lord was on our side.”

The Smithfield house offers more space to the family. Each boy will have his own bedroom, while the girls will share a space. Barbour, the 18-year-old, is hoping to attend college and study criminal justice, freeing up more space in the house.

“I know the twins are happy because they have been together since day one,” said Neal, who works full time as a nursing assistant at Affinity Health Services. “This is their first time not sharing a room. They get their own identities.”

All of the appliances and materials for the home were donated. Neal got to pick the flooring and cabinets in the kitchen and a color for the vinyl siding. She and Barbour helped paint the home as part of a Habitat requirement. But more painting is likely to come.

“We want to change the color scheme,” Neal said. “The twins want sports. Samantha likes Spongebob, Dezha likes Bratz, and Raven likes Pooh Bear. I want a chocolate scheme in my room. My kitchen will be mint green. In the living room, maybe some burgundy. This is mine. I can do whatever I want.”

Habitat did more than build a home for the Neal family. It also donated a live Christmas tree adorned with lights and ornaments. Hocutt Memorial Baptist Church in Clayton stocked the home’s pantry with food and put presents under the tree. Carolina Packers gave the family hot dogs, bologna, smoked sausage and chili.

“We are highly grateful because this is our Christmas present,” Neal said. “A big Christmas present everybody can enjoy and share.”

Habitat has built nearly 300,000 homes around the world. The houses are sold to families at no profit and financed with affordable loans.