Sea Island Habitat for Humanity A Mission. A Ministry. A Miracle.
June, 2012
Sweet Summertime
The first five months of the year have been a great start to 2012. The hard work of our
staff, loyal local volunteers, out-of-town volunteers, and our generous donors are
already yielding great results. Their efforts bolster our efforts to have a productive and
successful year as we continue our mission to build decent, affordable homes for low-
income families in our area, helping them live and grow into all that God intended.
We recently started building newly-designed houses in Green Valley Lane, our first
community on James Island! The architectural plans were created by local architect
Kevin Hoertdorfer. They are LEED (Leadership Energy and Efficient Design) certified
and are also sustainable with regard to their construction and materials used.
Our partner families are low-income working families in our community. They are
required to make a down-payment, contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” and pay for
their home through a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage. They come from all walks of life
and through SIHH will become first-time homeowners.
We are looking for qualified partner families whose income falls within HUD
guidelines, who maintain a credit score of 610 or above, and are willing to invest time
as well as money in their new home. If you or someone you know would like to apply
for a Habitat home, please visit our website at www.seaislandhabitat.org for more
information.
this issue
Sweet Summertime P.1
Golden Hammer P.2
Women Build P.3-4
Veteran in Need P.5
Social Media P.6
Homeowner Spotlight
Emma Southernland and her two
sons Christopher and Robert have
been chosen for lot four in Joeva
Cove. Currently, Emma works as
a private, in-home caregiver on
Johns Island, James Island and
downtown Charleston. The
Southernland family enjoys
traveling; and their favorite
places to visit are Myrtle Beach
and Charlotte. They are also very
involved with their church, Little
Rock Baptist, where both Emma
and Robert sing in the choir.
Above: The Southernland Family
Above: McMaster University
House that Jack Built
Jack Hostutler was a man of
honor who dedicated his life to
helping others. Jack’s death
marked a very sad day for all
who knew him, but the legacy
he leaves behind serves as an
inspiration. In an effort to honor
Jack’s impact on Sea Island
Habitat (SIHH), the staff, board,
friends and family have been
working to fund and build a
house in Jack’s memory.
On Saturday, April 14, 2012
SIHH board, staff, and friends
and family of Jack’s came
together to work on the home
honoring Jack Hostutler.
Volunteers worked on painting
and putting up hardiplank
siding. Alleshia Pinckney and
her three sons Darius, David and
Jeremy have been chosen as The
House that Jack Built family.
Golden Hammer
The Golden Hammer Society was formed to honor those who have included
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (SIHH) in their estate plans. The Golden
Hammer Society offers SIHH an opportunity to recognize those that would
like to see the good work of our housing ministry continue for many years to
come. Members are honored at an annual event. This year’s event took place
on March 22, 2012 at the Seabrook Island Club.
Brian and Mimi Sturgell were inducted into the Golden
Hammer Society at this year’s event. “SIHH has been an
important part of our lives--and something we have deeply
valued--for the past decade,” said Mimi Sturgell.
Golf Benefit
We have recently mailed the invitations to this year’s golf benefit that
will be held at the Cassique Golf Course on Kiawah Island Sunday,
September 16th. Please join us for a relaxing afternoon of golf as we
tee-up to help reach our goal of funding a home for an area family in
need. This benefit is all about fun, with a shamble format, shotgun start,
putting contest, hole-in-one challenge and great prizes.
“It is consistent for us not only to support
this mission now, but to ensure our support
will continue into the future by
including SIHH in our estate plan.”
SIHH has accomplished a great deal since
its founding in 1978. You - our donors,
volunteers and supporters - have watched
us build more than 295 houses and grow
into a sustaining organization that provides
stability for many, many families. With
your help that stability will continue.
For more information on Planned Giving
please visit our website at
www.seaislandhabitat.org.
Tickets are $350 and include boxed
lunch, tee gift, golf, cart, and dinner.
Sponsorship opportunities are also
available.
If you would like to join us on
Sunday, or for more information on
sponsorship opportunities, please
contact our office at (843) 768-0998.
Picture L-R: Glenn Brown; Greg & Sue Thomas;
Ron Ciancio; Pete Hubbard
Women Build 2012
MLK Bui
More than 30 volunteers
participated on Monday, January
16th for the 9
th annual Sea Islad
Habitat for Humanity Martin
Luther King Day Build. On this
very special day volunteers
honored the legacy of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr. by giving back
to the community.
The day started off with a
ceremony where Rev. Charles
Heyward from Saint James
resbyterian Church addressed
the volunteers. Volunteers this
year included students from
Ithaca College and James Island
residents. The home that was
framed at this year’s build is part
of our five home development,
Green Valley Lane, on James
Island.
Since 2003, Sea Island Habitat
for Humanity has continued to
build on Dr. King’s dream by
encouraging others to give back
to their community in a
meaningful way – by building a
home for a hard-working,
deserving family or by helping
with other important community
projects such as the 2010
Hollywood Community Center.
A big thank you goes out to Rev.
Heyward and all the volunteers
who participated this year’s
Martin Luther King Day build.
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s (SIHH) 12th annual Women Build took place at
Green Valley Lane (off Grimball Road Extension) on James Island. Green Valley
Lane is our first neighborhood on James Island, and it is in a great location. We are
excited to be able to provide safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing in a
community that has fewer and fewer housing options for low income families.
Green Valley Lane will have five houses when it is finished, and all will be owned
by single working moms.
Women came from Massachusetts, Texas, Ohio and Georgia to volunteer for
Women Build 2012. A sister team joined us from Pennsylvania, and we had great
local support including groups from Kiawah and Seabrook, employees from the
City of Charleston and Blackbaud Corporation, and members from The Point. For
many volunteers, Women Build is an annual commitment that is eagerly
anticipated; the feeling of camaraderie, meaningful hard work, supporting SIHH,
and volunteering alongside SIHH homeowners is profoundly gratifying. The
mission of Women Build is to fund and build a home, primarily by women, for a
low-income, working family. It also provides inspiration for women to empower
themselves, while at the same time develop lasting life skills and relationships.
Our 2012 Women Build homeowner, Avis Williams, is animated and enthusiastic.
She has been a domestic worker with child care responsibilities for a number of
families for almost 20 years! She is fond of “her” families and attends special
events of the children who are in her care. Several years ago, at the encouragement
of one of her employers, Avis returned to school. The day before Women Build
started she graduated with her Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Trident
Technical College! She is rightfully proud of her accomplishment, and plans to
continue with her studies towards her Bachelor’s degree.
The atmosphere on the build site is always supportive and filled with humor.
Progress on the house was steady and rewarding. On the first Saturday of the build,
thanks to our great construction team, the floor system was in place. By the end of
the week the external and internal framing was complete, the walls were sheathed,
windows and doors cut, and the trusses put into place. The house is an impressive
accomplishment for our construction supervisors and volunteers.
It was a pleasure to have Avis work with Women Build volunteers, and Avis says
she’s honored to be part of Women Build. She puts her feelings simply by saying,
“This is a blessing from God!”
Volunteer Spotlight
Volunteers have always been at
the heart of Habitat’s work at
affiliates around the world. Sea
Island Habitat for Humanity
(SIHH) is blessed to have
hundreds of volunteers each year
who help us provide affordable
housing in the Lowcountry. One
of those volunteers is Mary Ryan,
who is new to the SIHH
community. Mary was introduced
to Habitat after attending the
Beach Club Blowout (please see
next page) in October of 2011.
After attending the event she
contacted SIHH to learn more
about Women Build. She was
encouraged to join the 2012
Women Build committee. Mary
joined the committee in January
and played a major role in the
success of this year’s Women
Build project. Mary volunteered
on the build several days and was
the top online fundraiser, raising
$2,775.01 for this year’s build.
Thank you, Mary, for giving a
helping hand in creating
affordable homeownership and
for empowering other women to
do the same.
Want to join Mary and Women
Build 2013? To learn more,
contact Josephine Rex at
and get involved!
Beach Club Blowout
Kiawah Island Club Members and supporters of Sea Island
Habitat for Humanity enjoyed cocktails, dinner and dancing
on The Beach Club pool deck at Kiawah Island Club on
October 8, 2011. The Fabulous Kays performed at the event
to energize the crowd with a powerful collection of Beach,
Motown, and Top 40 tunes and hits from the 70’s and 80’s.
The event raised over $6,000 for the 2012 Women Build
project. We are so pleased to have partnered with the
Kiawah Island Club on this event. Picture L-R: Linda & Dick Maguire
Bowling for Beams
On a rainy Sunday afternoon the Women Build committee
hosted Bowling for Beams at the AMF Charleston Lanes
(1963 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC) to raise funds
for the 2012 Women Build project. Tickets for the event
included two hours of bowling; shoe rental; a pitcher of
soda and a large pizza for each lane. We had six teams and
raised $300 for the 2012 Women Build project. A big
thank you to all who joined us. Picture L-R: Nicole Leaf;
Carol Mason; Amber William; Linda Wall; Jennifer
Hartig; Michele Flickinger.
Wine Tasting
How Art Thou? Café (1956 Suite-E Maybank Highway,
James Island, SC) partnered with the 2012 Women Build
Committee to host a wine tasting on Friday May 4, 2012 to
raise funds for the Women Build project. All of the
proceeds from the wine tasting went towards the 2012
Women Build project. With approximately 30 people in
attendance we were able to raise over $300 for the build.
We are very thankful to How Art Thou? Café for allowing
us to host the event at the café! Picture L-R: Kathleen & Ed
Maher; Sue & Ron Ciancio.
Buy-A-Beam
St. John’s High School Art Students decorated wood
beams for Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s Annual
Women Build Project. Other local supporters of Habitat
also participated in the Buy-A-Beam project. Through
this fundraiser we were able to raise $1,700. The beams
were included in the 2012 Women Build home. Picture
L-R: Tyler Mack, St. John's HS Junior; Ms. Dona
Dowling, St. John's HS Art Teacher; and Ariel Acosta,
St. John's HS Sophomore
Women Build 2012 Fundraising
Non-profits Work Together to Help a Veteran in Need
When Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (SIHH) received funds from State Farm Insurance
Company that could provide emergency home repairs for a veteran, we asked another
nonprofit, Operation Home, who routinely provides emergency home repairs throughout the
tri-county area, if they had a family in need. Fortunately, they did. We were happy to notify
Mr. Henry Major that his much-needed handicap modifications could be done.
Mr. Major of Mt. Pleasant served with the United States army from 1951 – 1959 and during
his enlistment served his country in the Korean War. In recent years Mr. Major’s health has
declined and he is no longer able to move around his home without assistance. His family
realized that planning ahead for his health issues may mean the difference between
continuing to live in their own home or moving to a wheelchair-accessible facility.
The SIHH staff met with Mr. Major and his wife to discuss the repairs and it was decided
that the family would benefit greatly from a bathroom retrofit. Without a handicap
accessible bathroom, residents in wheelchairs must take a standard plan and retrofit it to
include features like 36-inch doors and 60-inch turning diameters in the bathroom, a process
which can quickly become very expensive.
The project was evaluated and the scope of work was estimated at $9,000 for the addition of
a new bathroom that would be ADA compliant. SIHH began looking for partners to help
with the funding, materials, and staffing needed for this project. “We were thrilled when
State Farm, Operation Home, Realtors Housing Opportunity Fund, Charleston County, East
Cooper Habitat, and Architect Tom Baker all agreed to partner with us to ensure Mr. Major
had a new bathroom,” said Tamara Avery, Land Development Manager at SIHH. “Each
organization was able to bring a critical piece of the project to the table to complete the
bathroom.”
The financial support came from Charleston County Community Development Department
$4,000, State Farm $3,000, Operation Home utilizing grant funds from the Realtors
Housing Opportunity Fund $2,000. The construction support came from East Cooper
Habitat for Humanity and SIHH. We couldn’t have completed this project without the help
of each partner.
“This new bathroom is going to make my life a lot easier for my family,” said Mrs. Major.
“My husband will now be able to move about our home freely.”
SIHH critical repair program offers low-cost minor repair work performed to alleviate
critical health, life and safety issues or code violations. Projects include: a change or repair
of materials or components; a modification for accessibility.
Faith in Action
The 2012 Faith in Action Build
began on January 7th with groups
from James Island Presbyterian
and St. James Episcopal Church
volunteering. A lot of work was
accomplished over a short period
of time with volunteer teams from
ten churches and additional
volunteer help from Collegiate
Challenge groups. Although the
house is not quite complete, the
majority of work was completed
and the Certificate of Occupancy
was granted so that our
homeowner, Romona Freeman,
was able to sign on her house on
April 30th!
James Island is the heart of the
Freeman family life and activity
as the children attend school there,
the family attends church on the
island, and the children often visit
their Grandpa after school.
Romona looks forward to owning
her own home in a community she
loves, and is thankful that God has
given her the opportunity to join
the Habitat family.
Many thanks to all the volunteers
and donors who helped make this
home a reality for Romona,
DeHaven and Anthony, and
congratulations to the Freeman
family!
Above: Mr. & Mrs. Major
Above: Mr. & Mrs. Major
Do you have a care you would like to donate? Recently a
Ford Explorer was stolen from the Sea Island Habitat for
Humanity ReStore. Because of the age and condition of the
Explorer, we did not have replacement insurance on the
car. We would love to find a replacement as this vehicle
was used to transport volunteers to and from critical repair
and deconstruction projects. Please contact Melody Bailey,
at 559-4009 for more information on the CFH program.
Cars for Homes (CFH)
Cars for Homes (CFH) is a national car donation program
established by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).
The program is staffed by full-time HFHI employees who
monitor and manage all activities. Proceeds from all sales
through CFH go to the donor’s local Habitat for Humanity
affiliate.
About 30 percent of the cars donated to CFH are end-of-
life vehicles that are sold for scrap or parts. The other 70
percent are sold to licensed car dealers at wholesale
auctions. These good used cars are recycled and remain on
the road, providing transportation for new owners; and the
net revenue raised helps local affiliates partner with more
families in need of better housing.
Wish List
With your donations and generous support, Sea Island
Habitat for Humanity can continue to build new homes in
the Lowcountry and operate as smoothly as possible as a
Christian non-profit organization. If you would like to
donate your time, an item from this list, or have another item
to donate, please call the ReStore 843-559-4009.
SIHH (2545 Bohicket Road, Johns Island, SC 29455)
Fire proof cabinets. We are in need of fire proof
cabinets at our office.
Ink Cartridges. Each time we recycle ink cartridges
we receive points that help us buy office supplies.
Please consider dropping off your ink cartridges at
our office.
Front office landscaping. We would like to spruce
up the front of our office with new shrubs, bushes
and flowers before the PGA. Please contact Greg
Thomas, at 843-768-0998x118 or
[email protected], to make a donation.
ReStore (3304 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC 29455)
Vehicle. We would like a vehicle to transport
volunteers to and from deconstruction and critical
repair projects.
Social media has changed
the way people connect,
discover and share
information. This new
technology connects
people whether it’s to share
content or just to chat.
Social media is the new
Social Media
“word-of-mouth” powered by technology. It is used to
turn communication into an interactive dialogue between
organizations, communities, and individuals.
Through social media Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
(SIHH) is able to create an exchange of user-generated
content in order to share exciting news regarding our
affiliate. This year we have put a greater focus on
creating new and exciting social media platforms; a
Facebook page; a Twitter account; and a YouTube
Channel.
During this year's Collegiate Challenge, SIHH challenged
each college and high school group that came to work
with us to create a YouTube video. Groups were
encouraged to create a video that depicted a message or
memory the group wanted to share. Each group worked
on developing their ideas for the video throughout the
build week and the final video was filmed on their final
day of service.
We continue developing our social media efforts and
hope that you will join us online. Please visit our website
www.seaislandhabitat.org for more information, and if
you are interested in seeing the results of our YouTube
Challenge please visit our YouTube channel (sihabitat).
Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
2545 Bohicket Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
843-768-0998 phone
843-768-9968 fax
www.seaislandhabitat.org