Habitat helps a family's dream come true 4/29/2009 12:44 AM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
Holly Shoaf-O'Kula, First Presbyterian Church's associate pastor, had just arrived at Habitat for Humanity's latest ground-breaking ceremony Tuesday morning.
Future homeowner Deborah McDonald immediately embraced her as an old friend, thanking her for the church's co-sponsorship of the project.
Actually, McDonald and Shoaf-O'Kula had just met at that moment, but, "I'm just a hugger," McDonald said with a smile. "It's amazing, a blessing to see all these people. They're helping me keep my family legacy going."
McDonald is getting a new home for herself and her adult sons on property willed to her by her grandmother.
The opportunity also comes at a time when McDonald is still recovering from a serious stroke last year.
As the Aiken County Habitat organization prepares for its 74th home build project, Director Richard Church expressed his appreciation for all the sponsors - the others including Shaw Areva Mox Services, Baker Concrete, Rotary Club of Aiken and the First Baptist Church of Aiken. Rotary President Tom Hallman presented Church with a $28,000 contribution at a club meeting Monday, providing about half the construction costs.
For the first time, Habitat has moved beyond greater Aiken to build a house off Old Barnwell Road outside of Montmorenci.
"We're excited about this," he said, "with our ongoing grassroots response to the problems we're facing with the economy, foreclosure and the lack of construction programs. We're moving on and that's good, but without you (the sponsors), we wouldn't be here doing this."
Jamie Piazza, a construction manager for Shaw Areva, and Baker Concrete Project Executive Lou Troendle, said they plan to pour the slab Saturday.
"I've done Habitat projects before, including last year, and I think it's great," Troendle said. "We can't forget why we're here. We have to help others and do the right thing."
Several generations ago, McDonald's family owned about 300 acres of land outside of Montmorenci and her grandmother, Amanda Lott, had 100 acres. McDonald and many other relatives grew up in her grandmother's house. When Lott died at 89 in 1987, she left the land to different parts of the family. The lot across the road from the house went to McDonald. It was once used as a pig pen, she said with a laugh.
"Her dream was to keep the family together," McDonald said. "She was a true lady of honor."
When she turned 18, McDonald moved to new York and spent 20 years in the nursing field. She moved back to Aiken County in 2006, and is now living in Gloverville. More than a year ago, she was working as a dialysis technician at an Augusta firm when she was felled by the stroke that paralyzed the left side of her body. McDonald had to learn basic skills all over again to walk and talk normally and to fully regain her memory.
"I don't give up and I have learned through the struggles," McDonald said. "God has a time and place for us. I had always wanted to build a house on the property, and then I heard about Habitat. I thank them so much. They have made my dream and my grandmother's dream come true."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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Comment Title: Habitat Homes-Owner Selection
Response to Deb: From www.habitataiken.org look for the "Get Involved" tab in the upper left corner. From the drop down menu, select "Homeownership" then click on "Facts" for details about qualifications and who to call to apply.
Posted by: Deb On: 5/3/2009
Comment Title: HABITAT HOMES
I looked on the Habitat website, and I really didn't see anything that answered my questions. Most of what I saw was advertising, like what I read in the newspaper.
Posted by: Deb On: 5/2/2009
Comment Title: HABITAT PROJECTS
Response to Ms: Thank ou very much for the information!! I really appreciate it!!
Posted by: Ms. On: 5/1/2009
Comment Title: Response to Deb
Deb, go to www.habitataiken.org and you should be able to get more info.
Posted by: Deb On: 4/30/2009
Comment Title: Habitat Homes
Guess I need to contact Director Richard Church for the answers to my questions.
Posted by: Deb On: 4/30/2009
Comment Title: Habitat Home
I guess no one out there knows the answers to my questions below. Just interested.
Posted by: Deb On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: HABITAT HOMES
What does a person need to do, in order to get help to build a house through Habitat? Do they need to have their own piece of land? I would assume so. Do they have to be low on finances? Can a single mother, with two children, working full-time for a small wage, qualify for one of these houses? And do they determine the payments according the the person's income? I have ask this question before, but did not receive a response. If anyone knows the answers to these questions, could you please write me back? It would be greatly appreciated.
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