Close only counts in horseshoes.

“Close, but not done,” Bobby Poe said with a smile as he stood in the sun-filled hallway of the House of Hope Wednesday afternoon. “But there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

And, that light will shine brightly on Saturday, March 29, when the doors are opened and the extended Pike County community is invited to come see where Hope will abide.

Open House for the House of Hope will be from 3 until 5 p.m. on March 29 and will be an opportunity for the many contributors and volunteers to experience the realization of a dream onto which they hitched their hopes for better lives for women who are recovering for drug and alcohol addictions.

Poe and his wife, Mary Jane, purchased the house on the corner of South Main and Lee streets in Brundidge nearly two years ago. It took time for them to decide what the future of the house would be.

Then, following their hearts, they led the renovation efforts to make the house available as an Adult/Teen Challenge facility. The facility will be, primarily, a transition home for up to 10 women ages 18 and older.

“We knew making this dream a reality would be a long journey and we would have to have the support of others who shared our dream,” Poe said. “We had no idea of the support that would come from so many and in so many ways. This has really been a community-wide effort.”

Poe said it would not be possible to name all of those who have contributed. Local and area businesses and churches have supplied building materials and furnishings. Labor has come from all walks of life and prayers have undergirded the tireless efforts of so many, Poe said.

“Now, we are close and we are so grateful to now have a place for women who are turning their lives around,” he said. “Mary and I know from personal experience what it takes to break loose from addictions and put your life back together. The House of Hope is a place where women can come and find the support they need to transition back into the workplace and into life.”

Open House at the House of Hope is open to all who have an interest in what has been done to make ready for the opening of the facility and those who want to know more and possibly be involved in the future of the facility.

“There is still some floor work to be done and a few other things but basically, we’re almost finished with what needs to be done to open the doors,” Poe said. “Trawick’s in New Brockton and the Pike County Master Gardeners were here this week to do landscaping and then we’ll be ready for visitors and soon for the women who will transition back into the community here.”

Poe said following Open House, the Alabama Teen Challenge House of Hope Banquet will be held at J. Michelle’s. Ed Wilson, director of Teen Challenge of Alabama, will be the keynote speaker. Teen Challenge students will also speak about their experiences.

The banquet will provide information about the House of Hope and is also a fundraiser for the operating expenses of the facility.

Tables and tickets for the banquet are available by calling 334-672-3900 or emailing mjpoe@att.net.