Summer 2009

Vol. 6, No. 2

Meet the Robinsons!

LaToya Robinson is a familiar face in Beaufort, and her story is one too often heard. The Beaufort native is a single mom struggling to provide the best life has to offer to her children. Fortunately for LaToya, help in the form of affordable housing is on the way. As the newest partner family in our homeowner program, LaToya and her children, Kirstin and Wesley, look forward to a new beginning. I want stability for my children, and to live in a place where they can safely play outside, says LaToya. After hearing about the opportunities provided by Habitat homeownership for many years, she decided to formally apply in October of 2008. It was time for me to take care of things to make my life better, says LaToya of her decision to apply. I was tired of working so hard to waste my money on unaffordable Our Mission
In response to Gods love, LowCountry Habitat for Humanity creates long-term partnerships to build and renovate affordable housing with volunteers and responsible families in

A 1995 graduate of Battery Creek High School, LaToya has worked at Fresenius Medical Care Dialysis Clinic in Hilton Head for four years, and enjoys the camaraderie of co-workers and patients alike. She is also counting on help to make her 250 sweat equity hours from her fellow members of New Hope Christian Church. Theyre eager to get started and come out and help, she says. LaToya is not waiting, however, as she is already very visible at various Habitat community events, at the job site, in the office, and in the ReStore. rent payments every month. LaToyas application was approved by the Habitat Board of Directors and she has been in constant contact with the Family Support Committee. As part of the homeowner program she will complete 250 hours of sweat equity. She also cites her family as a constant source of strength. She relies on help from her father and stepmother, her aunt, and her mother. In addition to the support from her Habitat family and her own family, LaToya has the encouragement of her co-workers and congregation. I just want a better life for my children, and Im ready to do whatever it takes to make that happen, she says. While she is busy doing what it takes, please stop by and help us in welcoming LaToya, Wesley and Kirstintheres a bright future ahead for this family. Our ReStore
LowCountry Habitat ReStore was created to help fund LowCountry Habitat for Humanitys House Construction Program; to provide a source for donated new and used items at reasonable prices; and to reduce the amount of construction material waste in local landfills.

need.

BLUEPRINTS

A Note from the Executive Director...

Many of you have heard recently that Habitat for Humanity International received a $100 million dollar planned gift from Board member J. Ronald Terwilliger. In fact, some of you have even called to ask what this means for LowCountry Habitat for Humanity. While we applaud Mr. Terwilliger for this very generous commitment, I want to point out that this isnt likely to make a significant impact in Beaufort County. Consider that about $20,000 per affiliate, which doesnt even build one house. We raise our own funds to build here and in other countries. LowCountry Habitat for Humanity has now built 30 houses in northern Beaufort County, as well as contributed a 10% tithe to build 16 more houses in Africa and Central America. We have accomplished all of this with local money given by local people, many of whom have the same generous spirit as Mr. Terwilliger.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bob Albon Steve Andrews Ted Becker Lawrence Buddy Coleman Russ Dimke Susan Ferguson Jim Gibson Benjamin Gillens Nancy Gilley Susie Gombocz Pastor Steve Keeler Jim Laughnane Pastor Leon Meadows Aaron Miller

This is a legacy gift. This money will not be immediately forthcoming. (Hopefully, for Mr. Terwilligers sake, not for many However, despite our own legacy, our mission is far from being long, happy years yet.) accomplished, and we still need your support locally. Please Habitat for Humanity consider volunteering your time at International will allocate these our construction site funds worldwide. Although it or the ReStore or hasnt been determined how this donating money to donation will be allocated, there help us continue to has been discussion about make decent and earmarking $30 million for U.S. building efforts and $70 million for affordable housing a building in other countries. Evenly matter of Brenda Dooley Executive Director allocating $30 million to more than conscience and 1,500 U.S. affiliates would result in action.

OFFICE 616 Parris Island Gateway Beaufort, SC 29906 522-3500 RESTORE 612 Parris Island Gateway 525-0055 The ReStore is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Donations may be dropped off on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am to 2:00pm. Pick-up of large items can be arranged by calling the ReStore.

A Good Friend Lost

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of AmeriCorps member, Ron Sequeiros. Ron came to our affiliate last September to assist with construction and deconstruction projects. He made many friends during his time in Beaufort with his good humor and a passion for making the world a better place. In March, he participated in a Global Village trip to
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Vietnam, and he had planned to spend next year as an AmeriCorps member on Johns Island. Our condolences go to his family and friends in Miami.

Summer 2009

PRINCE AND HAMAR BLOCK PARTY!

On Sunday, June 7th, LowCountry Habitat for Humanity celebrated the completion of our 29th home, the Grayco House, with a dedication ceremony and presentation of keys to homeowner Roberta Peterson.

6TH ANNUAL BIRDHOUSE AUCTION A SUCCESS!

Our 6th Annual Birdhouse Auction, held Friday, May 15th at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, was another fun night of auctioning, wining and dining. This years auction was both fun and successful in its intentto raise money for our organizations mission of providing local affordable housing. Thanks go out to our event sponsor, Grayco. Their sponsorship was given in memory of Grayco CFO Jeff Currys dad, Robert E. Curry, Sr., who was a dedicated, long-time Habitat volunteer. Thanks go to our other sponsors as wellMCAS Federal Credit Union, Ameris Bank, Blue Tarp, Inc,, Bruce Doneff, The Technical College of the Lowcountry, and Barbara Thomas. Thanks to JW and Jenny Rone and Deanna Bowdish, our auctioneers , Debbi Covington for providing food, and The Muelles for providing music. Many thanks also to our local artists and builders who donated their works for the evening. We are already looking forward to next years Birdhouse Auction!

The Grayco House and The Faith House

Following a short ceremony celebrating this milestone achievement, keys were presented to a tearful Anne Marie Ray and her children Caleb, Bryson, and Victoria.

Graycos Richard Gray and homeowner Roberta Peterson.

The Grayco House, sponsored by locally-owned building supply and retail outlet Grayco, began with construction in December of 2008 and is the fourth of five homes to be built on the Prince and Hamar site. Present at the dedication ceremony was Grayco Chairman Richard Gray, who sponsored the home in part because of his selfless desire to give back to the community. With the help of volunteers and Grayco employees, many of whom spent time working on the construction of the house, The Grayco House is now home to Roberta Peterson, her daughter Shay, and her grand-nephew ZaVion. Three weeks after the Grayco House dedication, we held a dedication for the Faith House, the fifth and final home at Prince & Hamar and our 30th home in Beaufort since our inception in 1990.

Anne Marie Ray and her children receive the keys to The Faith House

The Faith House was sponsored by 12 local churches and faith organizations, including: Sea Island Presbyterian Church, St. Peters Catholic Church, St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran, The Christian Science Society of Beaufort, Tidal Creek Fellowship, Carteret Street United Methodist, Riverview Baptist Church, The Link of Beaufort, The Baptist Church of Beaufort, The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort, The Parish of St. Helena and Grays Hill Baptist Church. Thank you to all who helped bring these two homes from cinder blocks to rooftops! Welcome to the neighborhood Roberta and Anne Marie!

A bidder peruses our birdhouses.

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BLUEPRINTS

DATAW HOUSENEIGHBORS BUILD FOR NEIGHBORS

We are proud to announce the exceptional effort Dataw Island residents have put forth in so far raising more than $50,000 to sponsor a house to be built on St. Helena near Penn Center. Congratulations are in order for the Dataw House Committee! Barbara Krakehl and Art Morrow served as cochairs and spearheaded the fundraising efforts. Thanks also goes to the other faithful members of the committee; Bob Albon, Barbara Dittmer, George Gans, Jim Laughnane, Beth Patterson, and Diane Hubbell, who also served as chair of the silent auction. The Dataw House Committee was quickly formed, and through hard work and diligence on the part of members, Dataw Island residents

Some Dataw Island residents enjoy a fundraising function.

helped us meet the goal of sponsoring a house in record time. Our thanks also goes to the many Dataw residents who opened up their homes to host fundraising parties. The Dataw House will be the second time a local community has joined with Habitat to build a house. The Habersham House, built by residents of Habersham in Burton, was funded in 2007

and built in 2008. The Dataw House will be the first of four at the Penn Center site. Site clearing and infrastructure work is slated to begin this fall, while construction on the house will begin in 2010. Congratulations Dataw Island residents, and thank you for making affordable housing a reality for another deserving Beaufort family!

Property on Ernest Drive on St. Helena, where four new Habitat homes,

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Summer 2009

FUNDRAISING FUNDAMEN TALS.

You have probably read one of the many recent articles in local publications highlighting the decrease in charitable giving and the ever-present need for funding during the economic downturn. One article even gave a statistic that the United Way of the Lowcountry was down 7.2% from 2008 and could not meet budget, despite what the article said was an increased need for services. rored the findings of Habitat International more people are giving less money its not as bad as it could be. As reported in a June 10th edition of the New York Times, a study by the Giving USA Foundation found that charitable giving in 2008 fell by the largest percentage in over five decades. There was a decrease in charitable giving of 5.7% from 2007, and early reports show that 2009 may even be 2008 worse. Thank goodness we live in Beaufort, where thankfully, lots of generous people live and make worthwhile donations. While we all have a tendency to get outside, forget about life and enjoy the sun during the summer months, I would encourage you to stop and take a look at where your money is invested. A donation to a local charity like LowCountry Habitat for Humanity provides you with more than a tax write-off. You can literally drive down a street where a Habitat house is being built and see what your money is doing. You can touch the boards, the drywall, even the kitchen cabinets and know that your money helped put that there, and helped put a deserving family in there. While we have a plan in place for the building of our next five houses, we wont actually get those houses built without continued donations and funding, and like Hannibal Smith of The A Team might say, I love it when a plan comes together. Please help us by making our plans a part of your plans by sending a donation to our organization.

Charitable giving in fell by the largest percentage in over five decades..and early reports show that 2009 may even be worse.
As an umbrella organization who received funds from the United Way, we have definitely felt the pinch as well. Although our affiliate has mir-

Yes! I want to help keep building homes and communities here in Beaufort!
Name: Address: City,State/Zip: :Email: Phone:

$500

$100

$50

$25

Enclosed is my check for $ payable to: LowCountry Habitat for Humanity 616 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort, SC 29906 Please charge my gift of $ Visa / MasterCard Account # Exp. / /

Other Habitat Happenings.

CONGRATULATIONSto our ReStorecurrently celebrating the 5th year of being in business in Beaufort! From a warehouse, to The Shed in Port Royal, to our current location on Highway 280, manager Jenny Drake, her co-workers, Scott Hall and Barry Schellhase, and many dedicated volunteers have helped make this the highly successful store it is today. Proceeds from sales go right back into the Habitat program, and we continue to rely on donations of goods and materials available for re-sale. As part of our service to the community and program, the ReStore continues to complete deconstruction projects. In addition to helping us build more safe and decent affordable housing, the store helps conserve landfill space by allowing for thousands of pounds of goods and materials to be recycled and reused. Please call the ReStore at 525-0055 orbetter yet stop by and shop and help us celebrate our fifth anniversary. You never know what deals you might find! ************************************************* APOLOGIESto Art Morrow, dedicated donor, volunteer, and driving force behind the Dataw House sponsorship. Art was inadvertently left off of our last issues listing of donors, and while its hard to limit all of what Art does for us to a monetary value, we nevertheless regret the error of omission.

- - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BEAUFORT, SC PERMIT NO. 30

616 Parris Island Gateway Beaufort, SC 29906

Partnership Matters.