Sea Island Habitat for Humanity A Mission. A Ministry. A Miracle.

June, 2012

Sweet Summertime

The first five months of the year have been a great start to 2012. The hard work of our

staff, loyal local volunteers, out-of-town volunteers, and our generous donors are

already yielding great results. Their efforts bolster our efforts to have a productive and

successful year as we continue our mission to build decent, affordable homes for low-

income families in our area, helping them live and grow into all that God intended.

We recently started building newly-designed houses in Green Valley Lane, our first

community on James Island! The architectural plans were created by local architect

Kevin Hoertdorfer. They are LEED (Leadership Energy and Efficient Design) certified

and are also sustainable with regard to their construction and materials used.

Our partner families are low-income working families in our community. They are

required to make a down-payment, contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” and pay for

their home through a 30-year, zero-interest mortgage. They come from all walks of life

and through SIHH will become first-time homeowners.

We are looking for qualified partner families whose income falls within HUD

guidelines, who maintain a credit score of 610 or above, and are willing to invest time

as well as money in their new home. If you or someone you know would like to apply

for a Habitat home, please visit our website at www.seaislandhabitat.org for more

information.

this issue

Sweet Summertime P.1

Golden Hammer P.2

Women Build P.3-4

Veteran in Need P.5

Social Media P.6

Homeowner Spotlight

Emma Southernland and her two

sons Christopher and Robert have

been chosen for lot four in Joeva

Cove. Currently, Emma works as

a private, in-home caregiver on

Johns Island, James Island and

downtown Charleston. The

Southernland family enjoys

traveling; and their favorite

places to visit are Myrtle Beach

and Charlotte. They are also very

involved with their church, Little

Rock Baptist, where both Emma

and Robert sing in the choir.

Above: The Southernland Family

Above: McMaster University

House that Jack Built

Jack Hostutler was a man of

honor who dedicated his life to

helping others. Jack’s death

marked a very sad day for all

who knew him, but the legacy

he leaves behind serves as an

inspiration. In an effort to honor

Jack’s impact on Sea Island

Habitat (SIHH), the staff, board,

friends and family have been

working to fund and build a

house in Jack’s memory.

On Saturday, April 14, 2012

SIHH board, staff, and friends

and family of Jack’s came

together to work on the home

honoring Jack Hostutler.

Volunteers worked on painting

and putting up hardiplank

siding. Alleshia Pinckney and

her three sons Darius, David and

Jeremy have been chosen as The

House that Jack Built family.

Golden Hammer

The Golden Hammer Society was formed to honor those who have included

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (SIHH) in their estate plans. The Golden

Hammer Society offers SIHH an opportunity to recognize those that would

like to see the good work of our housing ministry continue for many years to

come. Members are honored at an annual event. This year’s event took place

on March 22, 2012 at the Seabrook Island Club.

Brian and Mimi Sturgell were inducted into the Golden

Hammer Society at this year’s event. “SIHH has been an

important part of our lives--and something we have deeply

valued--for the past decade,” said Mimi Sturgell.

Golf Benefit

We have recently mailed the invitations to this year’s golf benefit that

will be held at the Cassique Golf Course on Kiawah Island Sunday,

September 16th. Please join us for a relaxing afternoon of golf as we

tee-up to help reach our goal of funding a home for an area family in

need. This benefit is all about fun, with a shamble format, shotgun start,

putting contest, hole-in-one challenge and great prizes.

“It is consistent for us not only to support

this mission now, but to ensure our support

will continue into the future by

including SIHH in our estate plan.”

SIHH has accomplished a great deal since

its founding in 1978. You - our donors,

volunteers and supporters - have watched

us build more than 295 houses and grow

into a sustaining organization that provides

stability for many, many families. With

your help that stability will continue.

For more information on Planned Giving

please visit our website at

www.seaislandhabitat.org.

Tickets are $350 and include boxed

lunch, tee gift, golf, cart, and dinner.

Sponsorship opportunities are also

available.

If you would like to join us on

Sunday, or for more information on

sponsorship opportunities, please

contact our office at (843) 768-0998.

Picture L-R: Glenn Brown; Greg & Sue Thomas;

Ron Ciancio; Pete Hubbard

Women Build 2012

MLK Bui

More than 30 volunteers

participated on Monday, January

16th for the 9

th annual Sea Islad

Habitat for Humanity Martin

Luther King Day Build. On this

very special day volunteers

honored the legacy of Dr. Martin

Luther King, Jr. by giving back

to the community.

The day started off with a

ceremony where Rev. Charles

Heyward from Saint James

resbyterian Church addressed

the volunteers. Volunteers this

year included students from

Ithaca College and James Island

residents. The home that was

framed at this year’s build is part

of our five home development,

Green Valley Lane, on James

Island.

Since 2003, Sea Island Habitat

for Humanity has continued to

build on Dr. King’s dream by

encouraging others to give back

to their community in a

meaningful way – by building a

home for a hard-working,

deserving family or by helping

with other important community

projects such as the 2010

Hollywood Community Center.

A big thank you goes out to Rev.

Heyward and all the volunteers

who participated this year’s

Martin Luther King Day build.

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s (SIHH) 12th annual Women Build took place at

Green Valley Lane (off Grimball Road Extension) on James Island. Green Valley

Lane is our first neighborhood on James Island, and it is in a great location. We are

excited to be able to provide safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing in a

community that has fewer and fewer housing options for low income families.

Green Valley Lane will have five houses when it is finished, and all will be owned

by single working moms.

Women came from Massachusetts, Texas, Ohio and Georgia to volunteer for

Women Build 2012. A sister team joined us from Pennsylvania, and we had great

local support including groups from Kiawah and Seabrook, employees from the

City of Charleston and Blackbaud Corporation, and members from The Point. For

many volunteers, Women Build is an annual commitment that is eagerly

anticipated; the feeling of camaraderie, meaningful hard work, supporting SIHH,

and volunteering alongside SIHH homeowners is profoundly gratifying. The

mission of Women Build is to fund and build a home, primarily by women, for a

low-income, working family. It also provides inspiration for women to empower

themselves, while at the same time develop lasting life skills and relationships.

Our 2012 Women Build homeowner, Avis Williams, is animated and enthusiastic.

She has been a domestic worker with child care responsibilities for a number of

families for almost 20 years! She is fond of “her” families and attends special

events of the children who are in her care. Several years ago, at the encouragement

of one of her employers, Avis returned to school. The day before Women Build

started she graduated with her Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Trident

Technical College! She is rightfully proud of her accomplishment, and plans to

continue with her studies towards her Bachelor’s degree.

The atmosphere on the build site is always supportive and filled with humor.

Progress on the house was steady and rewarding. On the first Saturday of the build,

thanks to our great construction team, the floor system was in place. By the end of

the week the external and internal framing was complete, the walls were sheathed,

windows and doors cut, and the trusses put into place. The house is an impressive

accomplishment for our construction supervisors and volunteers.

It was a pleasure to have Avis work with Women Build volunteers, and Avis says

she’s honored to be part of Women Build. She puts her feelings simply by saying,

“This is a blessing from God!”

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteers have always been at

the heart of Habitat’s work at

affiliates around the world. Sea

Island Habitat for Humanity

(SIHH) is blessed to have

hundreds of volunteers each year

who help us provide affordable

housing in the Lowcountry. One

of those volunteers is Mary Ryan,

who is new to the SIHH

community. Mary was introduced

to Habitat after attending the

Beach Club Blowout (please see

next page) in October of 2011.

After attending the event she

contacted SIHH to learn more

about Women Build. She was

encouraged to join the 2012

Women Build committee. Mary

joined the committee in January

and played a major role in the

success of this year’s Women

Build project. Mary volunteered

on the build several days and was

the top online fundraiser, raising

$2,775.01 for this year’s build.

Thank you, Mary, for giving a

helping hand in creating

affordable homeownership and

for empowering other women to

do the same.

Want to join Mary and Women

Build 2013? To learn more,

contact Josephine Rex at

volunteer@seaislandhabitat.org

and get involved!

Beach Club Blowout

Kiawah Island Club Members and supporters of Sea Island

Habitat for Humanity enjoyed cocktails, dinner and dancing

on The Beach Club pool deck at Kiawah Island Club on

October 8, 2011. The Fabulous Kays performed at the event

to energize the crowd with a powerful collection of Beach,

Motown, and Top 40 tunes and hits from the 70’s and 80’s.

The event raised over $6,000 for the 2012 Women Build

project. We are so pleased to have partnered with the

Kiawah Island Club on this event. Picture L-R: Linda & Dick Maguire

Bowling for Beams

On a rainy Sunday afternoon the Women Build committee

hosted Bowling for Beams at the AMF Charleston Lanes

(1963 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC) to raise funds

for the 2012 Women Build project. Tickets for the event

included two hours of bowling; shoe rental; a pitcher of

soda and a large pizza for each lane. We had six teams and

raised $300 for the 2012 Women Build project. A big

thank you to all who joined us. Picture L-R: Nicole Leaf;

Carol Mason; Amber William; Linda Wall; Jennifer

Hartig; Michele Flickinger.

Wine Tasting

How Art Thou? Café (1956 Suite-E Maybank Highway,

James Island, SC) partnered with the 2012 Women Build

Committee to host a wine tasting on Friday May 4, 2012 to

raise funds for the Women Build project. All of the

proceeds from the wine tasting went towards the 2012

Women Build project. With approximately 30 people in

attendance we were able to raise over $300 for the build.

We are very thankful to How Art Thou? Café for allowing

us to host the event at the café! Picture L-R: Kathleen & Ed

Maher; Sue & Ron Ciancio.

Buy-A-Beam

St. John’s High School Art Students decorated wood

beams for Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s Annual

Women Build Project. Other local supporters of Habitat

also participated in the Buy-A-Beam project. Through

this fundraiser we were able to raise $1,700. The beams

were included in the 2012 Women Build home. Picture

L-R: Tyler Mack, St. John's HS Junior; Ms. Dona

Dowling, St. John's HS Art Teacher; and Ariel Acosta,

St. John's HS Sophomore

Women Build 2012 Fundraising

Non-profits Work Together to Help a Veteran in Need

When Sea Island Habitat for Humanity (SIHH) received funds from State Farm Insurance

Company that could provide emergency home repairs for a veteran, we asked another

nonprofit, Operation Home, who routinely provides emergency home repairs throughout the

tri-county area, if they had a family in need. Fortunately, they did. We were happy to notify

Mr. Henry Major that his much-needed handicap modifications could be done.

Mr. Major of Mt. Pleasant served with the United States army from 1951 – 1959 and during

his enlistment served his country in the Korean War. In recent years Mr. Major’s health has

declined and he is no longer able to move around his home without assistance. His family

realized that planning ahead for his health issues may mean the difference between

continuing to live in their own home or moving to a wheelchair-accessible facility.

The SIHH staff met with Mr. Major and his wife to discuss the repairs and it was decided

that the family would benefit greatly from a bathroom retrofit. Without a handicap

accessible bathroom, residents in wheelchairs must take a standard plan and retrofit it to

include features like 36-inch doors and 60-inch turning diameters in the bathroom, a process

which can quickly become very expensive.

The project was evaluated and the scope of work was estimated at $9,000 for the addition of

a new bathroom that would be ADA compliant. SIHH began looking for partners to help

with the funding, materials, and staffing needed for this project. “We were thrilled when

State Farm, Operation Home, Realtors Housing Opportunity Fund, Charleston County, East

Cooper Habitat, and Architect Tom Baker all agreed to partner with us to ensure Mr. Major

had a new bathroom,” said Tamara Avery, Land Development Manager at SIHH. “Each

organization was able to bring a critical piece of the project to the table to complete the

bathroom.”

The financial support came from Charleston County Community Development Department

$4,000, State Farm $3,000, Operation Home utilizing grant funds from the Realtors

Housing Opportunity Fund $2,000. The construction support came from East Cooper

Habitat for Humanity and SIHH. We couldn’t have completed this project without the help

of each partner.

“This new bathroom is going to make my life a lot easier for my family,” said Mrs. Major.

“My husband will now be able to move about our home freely.”

SIHH critical repair program offers low-cost minor repair work performed to alleviate

critical health, life and safety issues or code violations. Projects include: a change or repair

of materials or components; a modification for accessibility.

Faith in Action

The 2012 Faith in Action Build

began on January 7th with groups

from James Island Presbyterian

and St. James Episcopal Church

volunteering. A lot of work was

accomplished over a short period

of time with volunteer teams from

ten churches and additional

volunteer help from Collegiate

Challenge groups. Although the

house is not quite complete, the

majority of work was completed

and the Certificate of Occupancy

was granted so that our

homeowner, Romona Freeman,

was able to sign on her house on

April 30th!

James Island is the heart of the

Freeman family life and activity

as the children attend school there,

the family attends church on the

island, and the children often visit

their Grandpa after school.

Romona looks forward to owning

her own home in a community she

loves, and is thankful that God has

given her the opportunity to join

the Habitat family.

Many thanks to all the volunteers

and donors who helped make this

home a reality for Romona,

DeHaven and Anthony, and

congratulations to the Freeman

family!

Above: Mr. & Mrs. Major

Above: Mr. & Mrs. Major

Do you have a care you would like to donate? Recently a

Ford Explorer was stolen from the Sea Island Habitat for

Humanity ReStore. Because of the age and condition of the

Explorer, we did not have replacement insurance on the

car. We would love to find a replacement as this vehicle

was used to transport volunteers to and from critical repair

and deconstruction projects. Please contact Melody Bailey,

at 559-4009 for more information on the CFH program.

Cars for Homes (CFH)

Cars for Homes (CFH) is a national car donation program

established by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).

The program is staffed by full-time HFHI employees who

monitor and manage all activities. Proceeds from all sales

through CFH go to the donor’s local Habitat for Humanity

affiliate.

About 30 percent of the cars donated to CFH are end-of-

life vehicles that are sold for scrap or parts. The other 70

percent are sold to licensed car dealers at wholesale

auctions. These good used cars are recycled and remain on

the road, providing transportation for new owners; and the

net revenue raised helps local affiliates partner with more

families in need of better housing.

Wish List

With your donations and generous support, Sea Island

Habitat for Humanity can continue to build new homes in

the Lowcountry and operate as smoothly as possible as a

Christian non-profit organization. If you would like to

donate your time, an item from this list, or have another item

to donate, please call the ReStore 843-559-4009.

SIHH (2545 Bohicket Road, Johns Island, SC 29455)

Fire proof cabinets. We are in need of fire proof

cabinets at our office.

Ink Cartridges. Each time we recycle ink cartridges

we receive points that help us buy office supplies.

Please consider dropping off your ink cartridges at

our office.

Front office landscaping. We would like to spruce

up the front of our office with new shrubs, bushes

and flowers before the PGA. Please contact Greg

Thomas, at 843-768-0998x118 or

greg@seaislandhabitat.org, to make a donation.

ReStore (3304 Maybank Highway, Johns Island, SC 29455)

Vehicle. We would like a vehicle to transport

volunteers to and from deconstruction and critical

repair projects.

Social media has changed

the way people connect,

discover and share

information. This new

technology connects

people whether it’s to share

content or just to chat.

Social media is the new

Social Media

“word-of-mouth” powered by technology. It is used to

turn communication into an interactive dialogue between

organizations, communities, and individuals.

Through social media Sea Island Habitat for Humanity

(SIHH) is able to create an exchange of user-generated

content in order to share exciting news regarding our

affiliate. This year we have put a greater focus on

creating new and exciting social media platforms; a

Facebook page; a Twitter account; and a YouTube

Channel.

During this year's Collegiate Challenge, SIHH challenged

each college and high school group that came to work

with us to create a YouTube video. Groups were

encouraged to create a video that depicted a message or

memory the group wanted to share. Each group worked

on developing their ideas for the video throughout the

build week and the final video was filmed on their final

day of service.

We continue developing our social media efforts and

hope that you will join us online. Please visit our website

www.seaislandhabitat.org for more information, and if

you are interested in seeing the results of our YouTube

Challenge please visit our YouTube channel (sihabitat).

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity

2545 Bohicket Road

Johns Island, SC 29455

843-768-0998 phone

843-768-9968 fax

www.seaislandhabitat.org