Two Habitat for Humanity homes dedicated in Darlington County
On March 26, Darlington County Habitat for Humanity hosted a dedication ceremony for two completed houses. The ceremony was for Carolyn and Joe McDowell as well as Monisha Timmons.
From left, Jay Davis, Carolyn McDowell, Jimmy McDowell, Monisha Timmons and Mark Haenchen.
Photo by Duane Childers
Darlington Co. Habitat for Humanity was chartered in 1996 and is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. It has completed 45 homes in Hartsville and Darlington and currently has three homes under construction. They will be starting two more homes in the Hartsville area this summer. Tithes have also helped 70 families internationally to enjoy a decent affordable home. Darlington County Habitat sends its tithes to Haiti.
Jay Davis, with Habitat of Darlington County, said that volunteer groups help their mission come to fruition.
“It varies from year to year but I know this year, right now, we have two out of state groups, one from Charlotte and one from Massachusetts,” Davis said. “We also have local groups, some churches and F3, an exercise group, that help. Where we get the help from is all over the place.”
Davis said that Habitat enjoys hosting out of state groups.
“We get to show them some Southern Hospitality and they get to learn some building skills,” Davis said. “Hopefully in the future these young people will be able to do some volunteer work where they are from and they can use these skills. It helps our community tremendously; a family in the community that needs a home will get one.”
The Habitat homes are not free to the future owners, Davis said.
“The people who are chosen, we say that they are the projected homeowner because before we hand them the keys, they have to put in 300 hours of volunteer time,” Davis said. “They also have to bring some money to the table for the down payment. We are a bank and we sell them the house and they make mortgage payments.”
Darlington County Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope.
Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that everyone should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety.
For more, visit darcohabitat.org