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Newletter Archive
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August 2011 Newsletter
August, 2011
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Children Matter |
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Kelwanda Wallace |
Greetings. My name is Kelwanda Wallace. I am a single mother of two boys Kelton and Keldrick. This has been a difficult time for my family. Due to the economy and a house fire, our lives have been changed tremendously. You never know when it’s your turn to suffer a great loss, or face a life changing challenge. With only tears and memories of what the children and I had, I turned to GOD. I began to pray and ask for strength and peace for my family and to lead us in the path that we shall go. God did just that, I will never understand or know why God put me in the direction of Habitat of Humanity a Christian organization. But I can truly say he is still in the miracle business for blessings! My concern is to regain those childhood memories and have a yard for my children to play or to be able to ride a bike again. I pray that God strengths the community and brings us together to help rebuild not only a place to call home but a future of everlasting memories.
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Nancy Clifton |
My name is Nancy Clifton. I am a 68-year old great grandmother who has been blessed by God with the opportunity and the responsibility to raise all five of my grandchildren. I now have parental custody of my great grandchild. I thank God for my family and the roof over of heads.
For almost 10 years, I have raised my grandchildren in the same rented mobile home. The mobile home is old and has only 3 bedrooms. This house no longer meets our family’s needs. The A/C has failed numerous times, and mold and mildew are constant problems. One bathroom is not useable due to the mold problems. My family is suffering the consequences of living in this environment. We desperately need a home where my grandchildren can grow up to be healthy and all that God wants them to be. Please help my Grandchildren.
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Cristal Barry |
My name is Cristal Barry. I am so thankful that Habitat for Humanity and you are giving me the opportunity to build a home for my family. Growing up in rural Mississippi, I often dreamed about owning my own home, but it was just a dream. I have always worked, but the reality was I would never be able to afford my own home. I thank Habitat for working with me and giving me the opportunity to purchase my own house. Thank you.
My wonderful son Alexander is 16 years old and attends Effingham County High School. I have never had many materials things, but I do have a wonderful son.
I grew up in Monroe County, MS. My family was poor, but we survived. I graduated from Caldwell County High School 1987 and enlisted in United States Army that same year.
Serving almost six years in the Army was a wonderful experience for me, but it was hard to be a single mother and a soldier. My years in the Army were great. The Army provided me with great technical training, a good salary and the opportunity to serve my country. I miss being in the Army.
In the Army you are always a soldier first. I was a soldier, but I was trained to drive all Army vehicles. My MOS was 88M10 motor transport operator. I was assigned to the “Big Red One” at Fort Leavenworth, KS when I was deployed to Desert Storm. I also had three temporary duty (TDY) assignments in Southwest Asia.
I have been employed with the Effingham County Prison for over five years.
Thank you for supporting Habitat for Humanity and my family. Alex and I look forward to driving the first nail into our new home.
Larry Miller and Jim Miller helping Habitat install floors
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Habitat for Humanity is Georgia Dream Home Vendor |
Georgia Department of Community Affairs has approved Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County as a Georgia Dream Home vendor.
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For the Habitat for Humanity, DCA approval means we can recoup faster the money spent to build each Georgia Dream Home. Instead of having to wait 20 years for the homeowner to pay off the mortgage, the lending institution will pay Habitat immediately after closing. Habitat can then reinvest the money in building more affordable homes. The Georgia Dream Home Program makes purchasing a home more affordable for low-to-moderate income families and individuals by offering fixed, low-interest rate mortgages loans. In addition, the Georgia Dream Home Program offers down payment and closing costs assistance to eligible borrowers, which can greatly reduce the out of pocket expense to the buyer. Georgia Dream’s First Mortgage provides low-interest rate mortgage loans for borrowers with moderate incomes and modest assets. Borrowers must be first-time home buyers. The loans are 30 year fixed rate mortgages with interest rates that are usually lower than existing market rates. |
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Habitat Purchases Four Lots |
Tuesday, August 9th was a great day for Habitat for Humanity. With your support, Habitat for Humanity purchased 4 lots in Shadowbrook Subdivision. Megan Brown signed the paperwork to transfer ownership of the lots to Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County.
For Habitat volunteers and staff, this purchase means Habitat can start construction on three new homes and help more families. Habitat plans to start construction in September 2011.
By purchasing multiple lots, Habitat was able to purchase the lots for $6000 per lot. Habitat will have to pay $5300 to the City of Springfield for impact and tap-in fees.
This will allow Habitat to tap-into the city’s water and sewer lines.
Braswell Brothers Home Movers will move Kelwanda’s home from ECHS to Shadowbrook. Construction students at ECHS framed and built the 1100 square ft home.
Herschel Lariscey with Quality Concrete will donate the installation of the blocks and concrete pump.
Thanks for helping!
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Sixth Largest Homebuilder |
Habitat for Humanity’s work to provide affordable housing in Effingham County has helped Habitat for Humanity International rank as the sixth largest homebuilder on Builder magazine’s top 100 list. With 6,032 closings in 2010, this is the second time Habitat for Humanity has placed in the top 10.
“Our placement on the Builder 100 list is a testament to what can be accomplished when people work together,” said Larry Gluth, senior vice president of U.S. and Canada for Habitat for Humanity International. “So many families in the United States and around the world face an incredible need for affordable housing, and this need only increases during challenging economic times. Habitat works every day to help these families, and we are grateful for the generosity of our donors, volunteers and advocates who have joined our efforts to help families obtain safe, decent and affordable homes and to strengthen communities.”
In 2010, Habitat for Humanity of Effingham County helped three families obtain affordable housing and plans to four houses in the next 2 years. Since 1996, the affiliate has built more than 17 homes.
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What Will You Build? |
Thank you so much to the many donors and volunteers who are building hope and decent, affordable houses with the families in Effingham County. Your support is making a difference in the lives of our families and our children. Thank you.
But there are so many more families who are struggling to find affordable yet safe housing in Effingham County.
You and I can still make a difference in the lives of these families. How? Habitat has identified three very deserving families who need decent, affordable housing. We want to start construction in September. Here is how you can help with some of Habitat’s needs:
- God’s provision to finish these houses. Would you join us in praying for Habitat for Humanity?
- 500 blocks. At $1.25 per block can you buy 8 blocks for $10?
- 10 cubic yds of concrete for footers. At $100 a cubic yd, can you afford buy 1 yd?
- Can you or your company donate your equipment and an operator to help clear a lot?
- The cost to move the Wallace house from ECHS to Shadowbrook Subdivision is $4000. Has God blessed you and your family this past year?
Are you willing to partner with God and Habitat for Humanity to help these families? Habitat is stepping out in faith and will start construction on the first home in September. Will you join us?
