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ECCA's Keith receives state honor
Kate Keith C & C Development Award.jpg
Timothy Vinson (president, GACTE), Kate Keith (counselor, ECCA) and Matthew Gambill (executive director, GACTE) - photo by Photo submitted
Submitted report
Effingham Herald
Published: Aug 21, 2018, 2:21 PM
ATHENS — Kate Keith was among 35 career and technical, and agricultural education (CTAE) educators who were honored by the Georgia Association for Career & Technical Education (GACTE) during its annual summer conference, which met July 15-17 at the Classic Center in Athens. The conference was attended by 1,859 CTAE educators from around the state. Nominated by their division peers and selected by the GACTE Awards Committee, each nominee was presented with a plaque naming them as their division’s 2018 nominee for the Counseling and Career Development Award. Keith was then named the overall state award winner and honored with another plaque and a check for $500. She will represent Georgia in the Association for Career & Technical Education Region II competition in September 2019. Keith will also be appropriately recognized by the Effingham County School District where she is employed. She is a shool counselor for Effingham College & Career Academy in Rincon. An educator for more than 19 years in the Effingham County School District, her responsibilities include helping families navigate all aspects of post-secondary planning in addition to providing daily academic, social, and emotional support to students. Keith acts as a consultant for parents, teachers, administration, community mental health professionals, and post-secondary institutions to provide the best care and opportunities for students. Keith holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Education in Counseling, and an Educational Specialist degree in Counseling, from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. “GACTE is one of my favorite organizations as it supports educators in implementing real-life training and experiences for students in an effort to help them become productive citizens," Keith said. "GACTE is a network of like-minded and skilled individuals who share this common and daunting goal. I appreciate GACTE as it is not designed solely to make me feel good about my job. "It gives me the actual tools to do my job well — to provide for the students and families within my care — to be an effective school counselor. I am thankful for GACTE and look forward to representing Georgia counselors within this stellar organization."
Volunteers hold 'Demo Party' to help Rincon Woman Rebuild Storm-Damaged Home
Miss Peggy
Matt Evans, owner of Centaur Home Renovations, consults with volunteer Janel Kearney while directing the demolition process. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)
Mya Taylor
Updated: Aug 28, 2025, 3:11 PM
Published: Aug 28, 2025, 2:43 PM

RINCON, Ga. — Volunteers attended a “demo party” over the weekend to help demolish the interior of 82-year-old Miss Peggy’s home, which was left severely damaged by a storm years ago.

A gloomy forecast and threat of rain did not deter the group from working. When the seven volunteers arrived, they were greeted by Centaur Home Renovations owner Matt Evans, who is leading the renovations. Masks, trash bags and tools were handed out as music played from a large speaker and fans helped keep volunteers cool in the summer heat. Orange arrows painted on the walls directed workers to the areas slated for demolition.

Miss Peggy
Leigh Carter strips wallpaper as part of the interior demolition of Miss Peggy’s home during a community ‘demo party’ in Rincon. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Leigh Carter, the first to arrive, was one of several who stripped walls and tore out drywall. Carter’s efforts go beyond renovations — she has also driven Miss Peggy to doctor’s appointments and helped her get rehoused last week at Family Promise of Effingham after a brief displacement.

“We want to get Miss Peggy back home in a safe place to live,” Carter said.

Volunteers spread out through the home, removing damaged drywall and hauling debris to a dumpster in the driveway.

“I decided to join because I thought helping somebody would be a good thing to do,” volunteer Sydney Kearney said. “I just thought it would be nice to volunteer.”

Miss Peggy
Grayson Heaton uses a crowbar to help remove damaged walls during the volunteer demolition day. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Repairs underway
Michael’s Roofing of Meldrim completed the first major repair by rebuilding and installing a new roof. The previous roof had been damaged by a fallen tree, which led to water leaks, mildew and mold spreading through the home.

Now Evans and Centaur Home Renovations are leading the next phase of work. Evans joined volunteers in the demolition and said community support has been growing since news of Miss Peggy’s situation was first reported in the Effingham Herald. 

“Since the article was first published, we’ve gotten quite a few reach-outs from people willing to donate their time,” Evans said. “We’ve also had four different dumpster companies donate dumpsters for the cause as well.”

Community organizations are also pitching in. Family Promise and the Manna House Food Pantry and Thrift Store have pledged to provide furniture and other materials once renovations are complete.

The most recent setback came when the septic tank lids collapsed, causing the system to stop working. Evans said crews are now cleaning the tank and clearing the lines.

Miss Peggy
Benny Carter tosses an old mattress into a dumpster as part of cleanup efforts at Miss Peggy’s storm-damaged home. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

What’s still needed
“After the demo is completed, we can start looking for more materials we’ll need like lumber, drywall, paint, flooring and more to get the house back together,” Evans said.

Additional materials still needed include:

  • 25 2x4x8 studs

  • Four sheets of OSB sheathing

  • Twenty 12-foot deck boards (5/4)

  • Twelve 12-foot sheets of sheetrock

  • 36-inch vanity

  • Two toilets

  • Four ceiling fans

  • Two bathroom fans

  • 60-inch vanity

  • 60-inch fiberglass tub and surround

  • 60-inch fiberglass shower and surround

  • 1,600 square feet of LVP flooring

  • 36-inch exterior door

  • Rolls of drywall tape

  • Buckets of drywall mud

  • Bags of 20-minute drywall joint compound

  • 100 linear feet of baseboard and quarter round

  • 10 gallons of Kilz or Cover Stain

  • 10–12 gallons of white paint

There is no estimated timeline for completion, as more funds and supplies are needed. The GoFundMe campaign for Miss Peggy’s home renovations has raised more than $1,400.

Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/help-ms-peggy-return-to-a-safe-home.

Miss Peggy
The interior of Miss Peggy’s home shows ceiling stripped and debris cleared in preparation for renovations. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)