Habitat leaders thank donors
Published 12:00 am Monday, November 14, 2005
DEMOPOLIS – Although Demopolis Habitat for Humanity president Freddie Charleston said he can’t find the words to say thanks to local contributors and volunteers, he wants to try.
“On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, Habitat would like to thank the donors and the volunteers,” Charleston said. “Words can’t express what they have done for us.”
According to Charleston, monetary donations came from Linden Lumber, Gwen Turner, First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, the FUMC Men’s Club, Roy Jordan, Stephen Gutshall, Rick Manley, One Stop Building Supply, who also donated shingles, Ronnie O’Neal, Drew and Genida Johnson, the Demopolis Rotary Club, Trinity Episcopal Church, the FUMC Vacation Bible School, Linda and Bill McGillivray, Walter Tutt, Robert Farrell, Bargain Box, First Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church Brotherhood, Smith South of McDonald’s and various unknown sources.
“An extra thanks goes to Trinity Episcopal Church because they have been housing us and letting us meet there with no hesitation since day one,” Charleston said.
Charleston also wanted to thank future donors whose contributions will come later on in the process.
Linden Lumber Company will provide the hardwood flooring, Carpets by Miller will provide vinyl flooring for the kitchen and bathrooms, Jennings Service Company will provide the heating units and duct work, Southern Pipe will also provide electrical assistance, Gaddy will supply the plumbing fixtures such as commodes and sinks, and Culpepper Electric is expected to provide various electric supplies.
Although it seems as though everything has been taken care of for the home, he said funds are still running short.
“Things are costing more than we estimated because of the weird season we had,” Charleston said, referring to the numerous hurricanes that increased housing-supply prices. “We need people to be more giving in this historical situation and the excess funds will go toward the next Habitat house in what we call a ‘rotating wheel.'”
Charleston said residents should not be skeptical of donating to Habitat because of past occurrences.
“That situation was in the past and it has been resolved. We have made many changes since then. The group of people we have now is very diversified and their hearts are in a good place,” he said of resource committee heads, Lindsey Gardner, Winston Mohammed and himself.
Residents are also invited to sponsor a window, door or faucet in the home.
“Habitat will get it and they will go in the books has having sponsored that item and will be recognized at the ceremony we’ll have when the house is finished.”
As always, donations and volunteers are still needed for the Habitat home. And it you don’t believe the money is going toward a good cause, Charleston encourages citizens to go by the house on the corner of Washington and Chestnut streets to see what progress has been made in the past five weeks.