By Betsy Finklea
Students from Villanova University and Siena College are in Lake View this week volunteering their time to work on Dillon County’s first Habitat for Humanity home, which is under construction at 400 South Cedar Street.
This first home has been made possible through a donation of property by football star Darius Shaquille Leonard, who has donated property to build five homes in Lake View. Leonard’s manager, Raymond Foxworth, said at the time of the announcement that while they were starting with five homes, they would like to do 70 in the future, with the goal of getting those who need it decent, affordable housing.
The students are the first student groups to work on this particular home and are here as part of the Habitat For Humanity Collegiate Challenge Program. According to Assistant Director of Marion-Dillon County Habitat for Humanity, “For over 30 years, the Habitat for Humanity International collegiate challenge program has hosted over 260,000 students who have partnered with 1000s of families building a decent place to call home.”
“Locally, Villanova University and Sienna College have sent students groups to Marion-Dillon County Habitat for Humanity working on homes primarily in Marion County and now also in Dillon County. Both schools have been coming to this area for about 20 years (except when the program was closed down during COVID),” according to Kirkland.
“These student groups come during winter breaks and/or spring breaks to invest sweat equity into our homes over ‘vacations’ to popular winter/spring break destinations. We have several local churches who host these groups in Sunday School class rooms where the students sleep on cots, sleeping bags, air mattresses, or some combination there of. We also have other churches, benevolent groups, and local businesses who sponsor lunches and dinners for these students. These students are introduced to grits and chicken bog and other local fare from the kitchens of some of the finest cooks in Marion County. In return, we see a home go from the pages of our architectural drawings to a reality. This week, the students are starting with the block foundation and will put in the floor system this week at the 400 South Cedar Street work site. They will go home tired, full of southern cooking, and with lifelong friendships,” according to Kirkland.
Students taking part in this week’s build have their own personal reasons for giving up their break time. They said they wanted to help someone by participating in the build and enjoy doing it with other college students who share the same goal. They said it has been a very positive experience. One group leader said she wanted to give back to the community. She has an aunt in Georgia who lives in a habitat house and wanted to be part of the process for someone else.
Most of these students have had no building experience and are learning on the job under the direction of Maxie Hardee, the site construction supervisor for Habitat For Humanity. They were busy hammering, sawing, and working while still having fun on Tuesday afternoon.
Volunteers like these students are a key part of getting the job done as Habitat uses as much volunteer labor as possible. Local contractors are hired to take care of things like plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.
Habitat homes are not free; but are instead sold to the homeowner for the cost of construction with no interest on the loan. The homeowner pays a mortgage payment and an escrow payment which covers county taxes, city taxes, and homeowners insurance. Each family is required to have 300 hours of sweat equity in their home. Recipients of the homes are chosen by a Family Selection Committee who makes a recommendation to the full board. Homes go to those with the greatest need.
This house will be a three-bedroom, two-bath house with 1250 sq. ft. of living area. It will feature an open concept layout between the family room and the kitchen and will have a front porch.
More groups are expected to be working on the home later this month.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN LAKE VIEW
When The Dillon County News, LLC, visited the site of the Habitat for Humanity build in Lake View this afternoon, it wasn’t long before our own Johnnie Daniels got involved and was giving tips and tricks on the building process to two of the students, who were taking part. Johnnie has a strong work ethic and believes in not only covering the news, but actually being helpful and hands on when possible.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Betsy Finklea/The Dillon County News, LLC
