NATCHEZ — The Natchez chapter of Habitat for Humanity received a gift too big to be wrapped in paper and bows on Saturday.

Ken Tillage, of Baton Rouge, a member of the Natchez Alumnae Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, delivered and installed all the cabinets for the kitchen of the Habitat house on Claiborne Street in Natchez.

“This isn’t about me. This is what our fraternity does,” Tillage said. “Habitat is one of the national causes our fraternity supports so really this is just the Natchez chapter doing its part.”

Tillage’s construction company made the cabinets in their workshop in Baton Rouge, rented a moving truck to deliver the cabinets and installed them Saturday morning.

Habitat for Humanity builds houses for low-income families with volunteer labor and donated supplies.

Andrew Calvit, president of the Natchez Habitat for Humanity chapter, said donations like the one Tillage and Kappa Alpha Psi delivered are invaluable in terms of money and time.

Typically, Calvit said, it takes about three weeks to build cabinets and install them in each house. Tillage did all of his work in Baton Rouge and spent only one day installing everything.

“In terms of money that saved us more than $2,000,” Calvit said. “That is money we can put into the house somewhere else or use on our next project.”

Working along side the Natchez Alumnae Chapter members were current members of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at Alcorn State University.

Tillage is an Alcorn State graduate.

Calvit said having that many people on site to working was a blessing that has been happening a lot lately.

Two weekends ago the Natchez Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority spent the day priming walls and doors. Saturday, alumnae members as well as members of the Alcorn State chapter were on hand again doing more painting.

Berthenia Rose Jackson, president of the alumnae chapter, said her group was happy to help.

“We are our sister’s keeper,” Jackson said. “We are a community service group and Habitat is one of the groups that we support at a national level.”

With all the weekend help, Calvit said the current Habitat house is well on its way to being completed for a November dedication.

“When the Deltas were here painting that put us about two weeks ahead of schedule,” Calvit said. “Now, with the cabinet installation, we are more than a month ahead of schedule.”

Tillage said he doesn’t want any recognition personally, because as a member of Kappa Alpha Psi, helping others is just something he’s supposed to do.

“We enjoy community service,” Tillage said. “When someone is in need, we find a way to fulfill that need. That is what we are all about.”

Tillage contacted Calvit to find out what need Kappa Alpha Psi could help meet in the house. From there, the deal was struck all by telephone.

“When you are working with someone on the phone that you’ve never met, sometimes it can make you a little uneasy,” Calvit said. “But Mr. Tillage was true to his word every step of the way and delivered these beautiful cabinets right on schedule.”

Tillage said he and Kappa Alpha Psi are working with Calvit to create a partnership for other Habitat for Humanity projects.

“He doesn’t want this to be a one time thing,” Calvit said. “That’s the kind of dedication we need on these projects.”