Iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree used in immigrant mom of four's new home: 'A miracle'
A single mom of four is celebrating Christmas in July after snagging the keys to a brand new home with a taste of iconic holiday cheer — the Rockefeller Christmas tree.
Binta Kinteh, a healthcare worker who immigrated from West Africa, completed her long-sought mission of achieving the American dream Friday, when she stepped into her new home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Friday.
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The home is adorned with a special nod to Christmas in the city — wood from last year's Rockefeller tree.
6 Binta, with her kids Lamin, Roos, Amadou and Favakary, moved into their new Habitat for Humanity home on Friday.
Hans Pennink
'I was so happy. As a single mother of four kids struggling in this country, being an immigrant, to have a home on my own. I'm so proud of myself,' Kinteh told The Post Tuesday, when the excitement had finally begun to settle in.
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'It was a journey. The kids were all happy. We have our home. Their mom gave them a home where they can call, 'Our mother's home. This is ours.''
Kinteh was one of the lucky recipients of one of 42 Habitat for Humanity homes across the city of Pittsfield and town of Housatonic outfitted with lumber from last year's tree, which was grown from the very same Western Massachusetts soil.
The Kinteh home, however, has the sole distinction of being the first in the Rockefeller-Habitat's 18-year partnership to feature a riser emblazoned with 'Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree 2024' on the bottom step of the new house.
6 The house was made with lumber from the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
Hans Pennink
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6 The 74-foot Norway spruce had been grown in West Stockbridge.
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'That's history! I'm so grateful,' Kinteh said.
The Pittsfield home is the very first that Kinteh has called her own since leaving her life in The Gambia behind in 2012 with four young kids in tow after her husband ditched the family for another woman.
Kinteh went through the arduous process of obtaining her Certified Nursing Assistant license while working to square away her immigration papers, all while struggling to pay rent at their crammed public housing unit.
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6 Kinteh moved to the US in 2012 as a single mom of four.
Hans Pennink
Her job, though demanding, kept her grounded and gave her purpose — her colleagues and patients alike lovingly referred to her as 'Mama B.'
'I love that job so much. It makes me connect with people who have depression like myself … When I compare that with mine, I said, 'I am suffering but some people are suffering more than me.' It gave me more courage to move on,' Kinteh said.
Kinteh applied for the home in the spring and learned she was chosen within a few weeks — an extremely quick process she called a 'miracle.'
6 All four kids will get their own room in the new house.
Hans Pennink
While Kinteh didn't know much about the Rockefeller Tree, much less that the towering 74-foot Norway spruce had been grown just 10 miles away in West Stockbridge, her four kids were over the moon.
The tree was donated by Earl Albert last year to honor the memory of his late wife, Leslie. The couple had planted the then-sapling as newlyweds back in 1967 to celebrate their new life together.
The kids, aged 18, 15, 12 and 8, had unwittingly watched the tree lighting this past season without realizing its lumber would soon be in their home that they eagerly watched Habitat for Humanity builders quickly bring to life.
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6 The Kinteh house is the first to have the Rockefeller Tree branding on display on the stairs.
Hans Pennink
'My middle son, every day, would pass by the house and say, 'Mom, they're almost done!'' Kinteh said.
Now, the family is settling into their new digs and enjoying the extra space and privacy it is affording each of them — but life hasn't slowed down for the supermom.
Kinteh is putting plans on hold for a proper housewarming party to celebrate — but after she takes her 18-year-old daughter on college tours this week.
'Maybe in a week when I rest!' Kinteh said.
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