Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County

300th Celebration Dinner and Fundraiser

Staff — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:06:32 +0000

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County has not wavered throughout its 27 years in making a difference in the lives of Greenville County families. On May 1, Tiffany Fowler and her two children received keys to a home with great significance. The keys unlocked more than just the house that Fowler helped construct – they opened the door to a 300th home build milestone for Habitat Greenville.

To celebrate the not-for-profit’s monumental home build, Habitat Greenville hosted a 300th Celebration Dinner and Fundraiser last night at Embassy Suites in Greenville. The energy in the room was palpable when keynote speaker Retired Chairman of Michelin North America and Habitat Supporter Dick Wilkerson addressed more than 450 attendees.

“Habitat Greenville is proud of our community’s efforts in helping us reach this great milestone,” said Monroe Free, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County. “Tonight’s celebration speaks to the commitment of Habitat as a game changer for our community’s working poor families as well as to the dedication of countless volunteers and donors.”

“The fundraiser was a starting point for our next 300 families to be helped,” continued Free. “Funds were raised that will lay the foundation for growth in the future. Habitat and the families we serve are truly grateful. In addition, I would like to extend our gratitude to Habitat Greenville’s sponsors because without them this 300th celebration would not have been possible.”

Spring 2012 Families

Staff — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:57:42 +0000

Our 2012 Spring families have been hard at work all winter preparing for the first hammer to swing and raise the walls that will be their new homes. We are proud to share with you five families ready to realize the opportunity of homeownership and the blessings that come when a community of volunteers and donors makes that happen.

Brenda Pennie is the proud mother of two, ages 23 and 18. While working and raising her family, she attended Rutledge College where she earned her CNA. She worked as a school bus driver for 14 years and a city bus driver for 5 years. She decided to use her skills as a Certified Nursing Assistant and went to work for the Greenville Hospital System from 2005-2009. Due to a debilitating injury she had to discontinue working. She is proud of the accomplishments her children have achieved and looks forward to her daughter’s graduation from high school this year.

Tiffany Kelley is a single mother with one daughter and has been employed by Grainger since 2008. She came to Habitat in 2009 for an opportunity to become a homeowner. Because her new home is so affordable, she plans to pursue an education to become a Medical Assistant. One of the reasons for coming to Habitat was to provide a safe environment for her and her daughter. Her parents are eager to help with building her home in order to show their support.

Tiffany Fowler came to Habitat in the summer of 2009 and hasn’t failed to impress us. She not only completed the required sweat equity hours and classes for Habitat, but she did so while attending school, working full time and raising two small children. Born and raised in Laurens, SC, Tiffany has been employed with Grainger since 2006 and is currently attending Piedmont Technical College where is she training to be a Surgical Tech. She is thrilled to be working alongside GHS employees and getting the chance to meet people who work in her dream field.

Jamie Thompson is a single mom of two boys and is currently attending Brown Mackie College, where she is enrolled in Business Management and maintains a 3.7 GPA. She enjoys being a part of her boys active lives in academics, football and now track. Having an affordable home will make it easier for Jamie to provide a better lifestyle for her children. As a single parent, she knows how important it is for her sons to see that you can be successful with hard work.

Originally from Greenville County, Willie and Dietra Clement met on the job and will be celebrating their 10th Wedding Anniversary in their brand new home this year. Willie is employed as a Maintenance Man, assisting local elderly families throughout Greenville County with home repairs but his first love is working on cars. With those skills under his belt, he may be quite popular among his new neighbors. Dietra has been a Certified Nursing/Rehab assistant in Mauldin for the last 13 years. Willie and Dietra have nine children and five grandchildren.

Be on the lookout this weekend!

Emelie — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 21:43:40 +0000

Thanks to Fairway Outdoor Billboards for their support as we start building our 300th house with Greenville Hospital System this weekend!

This weekend, keep your eye out for our digital billboards around Greenville County:
State Park Rd. Greenville, SC 29060
3044 Wade Hampton Blvd Taylors, SC 29687
3315 Augusta Rd. Greenville, SC 29605
1518 Woodruff Rd Greenville, SC 29607
2405 E North St Greenville, SC 29615
3906 Pelham Rd. Greenville, SC 29615 (both sides)

Meet the Pennie Family!

Staff — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:00:23 +0000

Originally from California and a product of a Military family moved to Greenville County at the age of 8 with her parents and 6 siblings. Brenda remained in Greenville County and eventually started her family. She is the proud mother of two ages 23 and 18. While working and raising her family, she attended Rutledge College where she earned her CNA. She worked by driving a school bus for 14 years and a city bus for 5 yrs. She decided to use her skills as a Certified Nursing Assistant and went to work for the Greenville Hospital System from 2005-2009. Due to a debilitating injury she had to discontinue working which was a temporary setback for her.

Brenda came to Habitat initially in 2008 in hopes of becoming a homeowner; she worked really hard to maintain her dream of what she calls breaking the cycle. She is proud of the accomplishments her children have achieved and look forward to her daughter’s graduation from High School this year and interest in attending Clark Atlanta University in Georgia. Brenda attends Antioch Baptist Church in West Greenville where she is an active member. Brenda wants us to know that this home means everything to her, it is a dream she is blessed to be able to see come true. Having a safe and affordable place to live is all she ever wanted for her family. When asked what will be special to her about this house; she feels it would be making it a home and creating special memories with family and friends as well as having something to leave for her children.

Even though Brenda is looking forward to having a yard she is knows her limitations of being able to care for blooming flowers so she hopes to be able to look outside her windows and see green grass, shrubs and trees.

Brenda would like to thank God for this unbelievable blessing, The Family Services Department for their motivation and encouragement while in the program, Habitat Program and staff for the opportunity and a special thank you to her house Partners for their financial contributions and all of the volunteers that help Habitat for Humanity make her dream come true. Thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude!

Habitat Named Beneficiary of the GHS Centennial Half Marathon & 5K

Staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:41:57 +0000

We’re happy to announce that Habitat Greenville has been named the beneficiary for the GHS Centennial Half Marathon & 5K. The money raised will benefit theGreenville Hospital System build.

They are seeking volunteers and of course, runners! Please spread the word and join in!

GHS Centennial Half Marathon & 5K – A Swamp Rabbit Race to Greenville
Gateway Park – Travelers Rest, SC
Saturday, March 10, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

Register here to run and walk. To volunteer sign up online or by phone. Call Alfred Olivetti at 843.338.1481 for more information.

The Half Marathon is a point-to-point race starting in Travelers Rest, SC and finishing downtown Greenville, SC. Flat and Fast Course for the 5k and Half Marathon – ran mostly on the Swamp Rabbit Trail (great for a Personal Record).

Inaugural Event – Presented by the Greenville Hospital System – This Event will Celebrate the GHS Centennial Anniversary of Servicing our Community – Standard Age Divisions for Awards – Finishers Medal for Half Marathon

Spinx Charity Classic: Selected Recipient

Staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:31:55 +0000

We’re happy to announce that Habitat Greenville has been selected as a beneficiary of the 2012 Spinx Charity Classic.

Full Press Release

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Spinx Company has announced American Red Cross Greenville Chapter, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County, Julie ValentineCenter, Junior Achievement Upstate, Loaves & Fishes and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas as the beneficiaries of their 2012 Spinx Charity Classic presented by Corporate Benefits.

The Spinx Charity Classic will be held on May 1. The tournament will be hosted at two Greenville private golf courses, the Chanticleer and Riverside Courses. Tokick-off the tournament, there will be a private pairings party, held in Downtown Greenville, the night prior to the tournament.

“There are so many great nonprofit organizations in this area that it was a difficult selection process. These six organizations meet the Spinx mission which focuses on improving the health, education and well-being of children,” said Stewart Spinks, CEO of Spinx, in a press release. “We’re looking forward to partnering with each of them through the Spinx Charity Classic.”

The American Red Cross Greenville Chapter is a volunteer humanitarian organization that provides relief to local victims of disasters and emergencies. By providing affordable home ownership opportunities to qualified low-income Greenville residents, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County aims to eliminate poverty housing. The Julie Valentine Center is focused on preventing sexual assault and child abuse through educational programs while providing healing and recovery services to victims.

Junior Achievement Upstate offers hands-on, experimental programs aimed at teaching young people the key concepts to achieve economic success. Greenville’s mobile food rescue organization, Loaves & Fishes, rescues perishable and prepared food and then delivers it to organizations in the area that feed the hungry. The Ronald McDonald House of the Carolinas helps critically ill and injured children and their families cope with the stress and expense of daily living.

Registration for the tournament is open to the public with individual and 4-person teams available for purchase at myspinx.com. Gift bags, food and beverages are provided to tournament participants. An awards ceremony follows play of the tournament with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners for each course.

Fall Family Introductions: The Heard Family

Staff — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:36:15 +0000

Originally from Laurens, SC, Nancy at the age of 11 relocated to Brooklyn, NY until the age of 23, when she decided to moved back home to Laurens. Nancy Heard is a single mother of two (Joshua 22 and Nakkia 19) and proud grandmother of 1. In 2008 Nancy moved her family from Laurens to Greenville. While working and raising her family, she attended Piedmont Technical College and earned an Associate’s Degree in Business. She continued to work in the clerical field up until her kidneys failed in 2001 and she was forced to go on disability. In 2003 she received the gift of life, a new kidney. This was truly a blessing and an opportunity to make sure she lived the best life she could as a way of being thankful and appreciative of what has been given to her. Nancy states that she would like to encourage other families like hers to never give up on their dreams and to continue believing that God may not provide all of your wants but He will provide all of your needs, Just Believe!

While living in Laurens she applied for a Habitat home and because of 2 other families having a greater need, she was turned down twice. She never gave up on Habitat or her dream of homeownership. Nancy moved her family around a bit and had to deal with a lot of landlords who didn’t really care about fixing things or exposing them to unhealthy conditions. Just knowing that her children will have the opportunity to have a home they can call their own is so special to her and her family. God has truly guided her steps.

Interior decorating and cooking are her hobbies so finally she will have walls she can paint, and a home that will become her new canvas. That special place in the home will be the kitchen; it will be the place her family gathers and spends time together over a meal. She is looking forward to sharing daily stories and making memories with her family. This room will be the heart of the home for them all.

Keep up with the progress of their house here.

GHS Has Talent!

Staff — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 02:06:10 +0000

We are very excited to announce that GHS Has Talent raised $13,788.24 to build a house for Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County in Spring of 2012. Thank you to Fred Cunningham, WSPA-TV News Channel 7, Myra Ruiz, WYFF News 4, and Sherwood Mobley, Greenville Symphony Orchestra, for judging the show!

Volunteer Corner – October 2011

Staff — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:00:37 +0000

Thank you to all of the many volunteers who have helped us give three Greenville families a homeownership opportunity like no other this fall! You have eagerly signed up and have filled all of our volunteer spots for this season; but we’ll have more opportunities this coming spring! Don’t forget that if you want to volunteer with your group, you’ll need to sign up or call me early in the season to ensure that you get the date you want, especially for a Saturday – those days fill up quickly! Don’t forget to check out the photos from our current and past builds in our Photo Gallery! Please also take a moment to send us feedback about your volunteer experience.

Thanks and blessings,

Karen Olson
Volunteer Coordinator
P 864-672-6345 | F 864-312-5009

Second ReStore Celebrates a Successful First Year

Staff — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:59:56 +0000

The Wade Hampton ReStore will celebrate its first year of being open on October 19^th. Habitat is extremely grateful to all who have donated and shopped at the ReStore this past year. It is because of our generous community members that we’re able to keep the doors open, items out of landfills and have the ability to create more affordable housing in Greenville County. Proceeds from the ReStores totally fund the construction of one house each year and partially fund a second house.

“It is beyond measure that the ReStores are funding more than one home,” said Tom Sawyer, Habitat Greenville Director of Resource Development. “We appreciate the public shopping at the ReStores.”

Stop by or visit our website for more information:
5201-A W. Wade Hampton Blvd., Taylors OR 305 Rutherford Rd., Greenville
Hours: Tues.–Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Check our Website: www.greenvillerestore.org
Have a donation?
Call our Donation Hotline 864-298-0099