The Brannon family find a safe, stable place to call home

Charles “Chip” and Candy Brannon, are the partner family for Itasca County Habitat for Humanity’s 53rd home. Their journey to homeownership has been shaped by resilience, faith, and an unwavering commitment to family.
Chip was born in Sacramento, California, and experienced profound loss early in life, including the death of two sisters and the destruction of his childhood home by fire. His family later relocated to Minnesota, where frequent moves and health challenges, including a serious head injury and seizures, led him down many paths, from years in construction to a decade backpacking across the country. In 2013, Chip returned home to care for his mother for nearly nine years. For Chip, this Habitat home represents something he has never had before: a safe, stable place to finally call his own.

Candy’s story is one of determination and heart. She grew up in Eden Prairie and Crosby, Minnesota, working from a young age on farms, at a turkey facility, and in a local pizza shop while attending school. At just 14, she enrolled in vocational school to become a certified nursing assistant, and by 15 she was already a mother. Candy later moved to Wadena to raise her family, and today she and Chip are proud parents of four adult children and delighted grandparents, soon welcoming their fourth grandchild. After moving closer to family in northern Minnesota, Chip and Candy began attending Triumphant Life Church in Bovey, deepening their sense of community and connection.

Together, Chip and Candy have been in recovery for more than eight years and recently quit smoking, milestones they credit to hard work, faith, and perseverance. Their new Habitat home in Marble will mean stability, accessibility, and a welcoming place to gather with loved ones, including their two cherished dogs, Chloe and Whiskey, who will finally have a yard to play in.

“This is a dream come true,” they shared. “It’s a blessing beyond words.”

Chip and Candy are grateful for the opportunity to build a future rooted in safety, love, and community, and they look forward to celebrating alongside family, friends, and their church as they turn the key to their forever home.

​You can help make Chip and Candy’s dream a reality through volunteering or a financial donation. Visit www.itascahabitat.org to learn how you can make an impact.