Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County will raise the walls on its 23rd home Oct. 22, which is also the first day for volunteers to be welcomed on site to help with construction.
“We have laid the foundation to build a home for a hardworking family in Effingham County, and we need the support of the community to make it happen.” said Jimmy Rutland, president/CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County.
On wall-raising day, volunteers will complete an important milestone in the build process: hoisting the walls of a new home into an upright position. It’s a task that requires all hands on deck, and Rutland estimates that they will need a minimum of 30 volunteers.
“If you’ve never been involved with a wall-raising day, it’s a gratifying experience that you won’t want to miss,” said Rutland. “It’s so rewarding to watch the walls come up on what will be a family’s future home.”
To qualify for a Habitat home, a family must be making 60-80 percent of the area’s median income, complete homeownership preparation and education workshops and complete 250 hours of “sweat equity” volunteering to help build their home. Each family then pays a 2 percent down payment and an affordable monthly mortgage.
Volunteers must sign up at tinyurl.com/HabitatECVolunteer and sign a waiver before arrival. Volunteers must be over the age of 15, and volunteers under 18 must have consent from a parent or guardian to participate.
Once the walls are raised, construction will continue every Saturday from 8am-2pm until the home is completed. The homesite is located at 148 4th St. Ext. in Guyton, Ga. For more information, please call 912-826-6433 or visit habitatec.org.
About Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County
Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County 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 of Effingham County is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. The Effingham County affiliate was incorporated in 1995 by a group of Effingham County residents led by Morris Oglesby of Rincon.
