A Look Back at 2021
with Sumter Habitat for Humanity
2021 was a year of change and betterment for Sumter Habitat for Humanity, as we took ownership of the old Air Filters Services building at 812 South Guignard Drive and a place of our very own. After months of renovations and getting everything moved, we are starting 2022 feeling settled and all the more grateful for the blessings of having a place to call ours and a place where Sumter Habitat can continue to grow and serve the Sumter Community.
In 2021 Sumter Habitat for Humanity completed home build 126 in partnership with Eaton Corporation, whose grant fulfilled the majority of the funding to build this home. Crystal Reed and her son moved into the house in March and have enjoyed the joys of homeownership.
In 2021 Alice Drive Baptist Church graciously funded home build 127. In addition, they are also providing volunteers for the home build, which is currently under construction. We are so thankful that the partnership came to fruition, and we look forward to a continual partnership with our friends at Alice Drive Baptist Church.
We received another grant from Eaton Corporation in 2021. The monies from that grant will go towards the funding of home build 128, which is currently underway!
The ReStore had a successful and busy Holiday season with several seasonal sales and events, including their Super Saturday, Christmas and Bake Goods Sale, Habitat Holiday, and wrapping up 2021 with their Blow Out Sale.
Sumter Habitat was amazed by the generosity displayed by the Sumter Community during Giving Tuesday 2021 and our end-of-year campaign.
Because of the support from the Sumter Community, we can continue our mission of serving the underserved and making Sumter a place where “everyone has a decent place to live.” We would love to hear from you if you would like to learn more about Sumter Habitat for Humanity, our mission, vision, impact thus far, and where we are headed. Whether you want to donate financially, through the ReStore, or by volunteering your time on the worksite, anything you can give is exactly what we need. From all of us at Sumter Habitat for Humanity, here’s to a healthy, happy, and more homes built in 2022!
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Partnership Spotlight: ADBC Build Updates |
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Alice Drive Baptist Church and Sumter Habitat for Humanity broke ground on home build 127 at 1245 Habitat Drive on September 23rd, 2021. We are thrilled to update everyone with a progress report of how the build is coming along in January 2022! Ninety percent of the framework is complete, and once the framework is done, the home in its entirety will be at 25 percent completion.
We would like to thank the forty-six volunteers for the 484 hours of volunteer work on the site that has gone into the progress of this home. We continue to be grateful for the partnership Sumter Habitat for Humanity has formed with Alice Drive Baptist Church, and we appreciate the support we have received and continue to receive from our valued volunteers.
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The Rovinski Family
With Christmas quickly approaching, the gift of homeownership couldn't have come at a better time for the Rovinski family, because after all, there is no place like home for the holidays.
With Thanksgiving weeks away, the Rovinskis were informed by their landlord that the land their home was located on would be going up for sale within weeks. After the shock wore off, Mr. and Mrs. Rovinski buckled down and completed the remaining "sweat equity" hours they still needed to meet the program requirements. This allowed them to officially move forward in their journey to homeownership.
The road to homeownership hasn't been an easy one for the Rovinski family, making them even more grateful for the wonderful people from the Sumter community who so graciously offered not a handout but a hand up by funding and building their home. The Rovinski family and all of us at Sumter Habitat were honored to be a part of the Rovinski Family's Home Dedication on Tuesday, November 23rd, 2021.
The dream of affordable homeownership wouldn't be a reality today for 120+ low to moderate-income families without the financial backing, and volunteer assistance Sumter Habitat for Humanity (SHFH) has received from partnering churches, organizations, industries, businesses, and individuals from the local community.
Because of the support from their community, Mr. and Mrs. Rovinski will have a permanent, affordable, and decent place to raise their four children, giving them a place to call home.
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Sumter Habitat for Humanity felt extra jolly this year, with the Holiday Season resuming to more “normal” than last year. So, on Saturday, December 11th, we decided to have good ole Saint Nick out to pose for pictures in front of a cozy fireplace scene for Sumter Habitat’s first annual Habitat Holiday at the ReStore. In addition to some awesome pics that our customers and team members took with jolly Saint Nick, we also had an ornament-making station, letters to Santa (complete with a mailbox to the North Pole), and WHAT THE FOOD TRUCK was on site for those who wanted a quick bite!
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It was a festive and fun afternoon where all who attended couldn’t help but get into the Christmas Spirit. We are already planning next year’s, so be sure to check out all of the fun we had by clicking HERE! #HOHOHOhabitat #haveahabitatholiday #thesantasofshelter
#theresnoplacelikehomefortheholidays
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Giving Tuesday: THANK YOU |
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Looking forward: Join the Movement by supporting Sumter Habitat for Humanity during Midlands Gives 2022.
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The Central Carolina Community Foundation hosts Midlands Gives, a day of giving that brings awareness and raises money for local nonprofits in 11 Midlands counties. In addition to being a year-round resource for contributors across the Midlands, the initiative strengthens donations throughout an annual18-hour online giving challenge which takes place the first Tuesday of May. Since its commencement in 2014, the event has raised $15.9 million for local nonprofits.
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Erica Carpenter
Continental Tire
Erica Carpenter is the Raw Material Warehouse Manager at Continental Tire here in Sumter, SC. At Continental, she is the chair of the Conti Sumter Women’s Forum and also a mentor in the mentoring program. Erica was born and raised in Sumter and is a member of Union Baptist Church in Rembert, SC. This will be her second year serving on the Sumter Habitat Board of Directors. We sat down with her to ask a few questions about her service and how she sees Sumter Habitat from a Board Member perspective.
What drew you to serve on the Sumter Habitat Board? My father served as Chairman of the Board many years ago, and our entire family has been involved with Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years. In my youth I would help build Habitat Houses, provide lunch for builds and I volunteered in the Habitat Restore in High School. Now, in my adult life, I wanted to get back into working with Habitat and our Sumter Community. This past year has been an awesome and rewarding experience.
What have you learned and most enjoyed during your time serving on the board? I have really enjoyed getting to know and serve people in the community and getting to make a real difference in Habitat homeowner’s lives. I also enjoy interacting with the ReStore and seeing all the awesome items that the Re-Store has.
Biggest challenges Habitat for Sumter faced in 2021 from the perspective of a board member? I believe our biggest challenge in 2021 was COVID related restrictions. Many businesses and personal lives were still affected by COVID in 2021, which made it very hard to get some of our plans moving.
Most significant accomplishments(s) you saw Sumter Habitat make in 2021? In 2021 Habitat completely relocated our ReStore to a new location. This was a very long and tedious task and it was executed so well. This re-location has offered much more space for merchandise for our community of customers. Also, the building brought more room and efficiency for our home owner classes, and community meetings. This was so amazing to watch the Habitat staff accomplish.
As a board member, what are you excited about seeing from the organization in 2022? This year I am excited to get back out there for house building! I am also excited for all the events and fundraisers the organization will have this year. I am ready to be a part of Habitat giving back to/uplifting our community.
Why would you encourage anyone reading this to find out more and get involved with Sumter Habitat for Humanity in 2022? Sumter Habitat for Humanity is a great non-profit organization with a true passion for building forever homes for some who might not have ever gotten the opportunity to have one otherwise. The Habitat employees and board members are pumped and ready to make 2022 an awesome year, so come out and be a part of something great!
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New Year, New Resolutions |
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With the team at Sumter Habitat
As we reflect on 2021, and take the lessons, both good and bad, learned into the New Year, we decided to ask some team members from the Sumter Habitat Administrative Team and the ReStore how the challenges and triumphs of 2021 will help mold their 2022.
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In your opinion, what was the most challenging hurdle the affiliate side of Sumter Habitat faced in 2021? The move from 30 Bridge Court to our current and “forever” location, 812 South Guignard Drive.
-Phyllis Haskins
Finance Administrator
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What would you say was the most significant accomplishment or success Sumter Habitat had in 2021? On the administration side, it was for sure starting our quarterly newsletter and revamping our website. We wanted to do a bit of a rebranding to go along with the visibility of our new location! We've made huge strides in getting our name out in the community and, in turn, getting the community involved with Sumter Habitat, and it is such a great thing to see!
-Samara Castleberry
Social Media & Marketing Assistant
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What would you say the ReStore’s most significant accomplishment or success in 2021? Gaining ground at our new location, bringing in new customers and increasing visibility.
-Shamilla Welch
ReStore Manager
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What is something you learned through your job as a ReStore Team Member that will you be taking away from 2021 and into 2022? Make every moment count.
-Letitia Reynolds
ReStore Assistant Manager
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Please make a difference in our community by generating donations for Sumter Habitat for Humanity while you SHOP! No new account, no hassle, and at no extra cost, Amazon Smile donates a percentage of all
eligible Amazon purchases to Sumter Habitat. Just use the following link: smile.amazon.com, choose Sumter Habitat for Humanity as your charity of choice, (or simply click the button above) and shop as you usually would!
Also, if you're feeling extra generous, we encourage you to check out our AmazonSmile Charity Lists to donate items we need most.
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Vehicle donations are another way to support Sumter Habitat for Humanity’s mission! It’s quick and easy to donate your old car, truck, boat, motorcycle and more – whether they run or not! Vehicle donations may be eligible for tax deduction if you itemize (consult a tax advisor or the IRS).
When you donate to Cars for Homes, you help Sumter Habitat for Humanity
build homes with families in need in your own community. Learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s Cars for Homes program or make a donation today by donating online or calling toll-free to 1-877-277-4344.
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Our Mission: Seeking to put God's love into action, Sumter Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Our Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
812 South Guignard Drive
Sumter, SC 29150
Office: (803) 775-5767
ReStore: (803) 934-9749
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