The days when good neighbors came together for a house raisin' aren't over, and Sandra Robinson can testify to that.
Volunteers came together to build a house for her and her two young daughters, finishing it just in time for Christmas.
The single mother is the proud new owner of a Habitat for Humanity home, and she says this is the best gift ever.
"What a wonderful Christmas!" she said. "Words cannot even express it."
The Robinson family has been living with Grandma in Santee. They say they're going to miss her, but she can come and visit.
Fourth-grader Brianna is already thinking about having a sleep-over. She says she thinks she's going to do her bedroom in pink.
Cox Industries sponsored the Robinson home, raising funds in the community and making a donation.
Bill Cox, founder of the company, has long been involved with Habitat. He donated the property that Robinson's home was built on and another lot where construction will begin early next year.
He and his wife, Katherine, were there to welcome the Robinson family to their new home last week.
"I always thought it was a good project," he said.
Employees also played individual roles, donating time, money and gifts to complete the home and then help furnish it.
Ken Panitt, a Cox employee, spent an afternoon last week moving furniture into the new home on Woodchime Lane.
Cox has sponsored a house each year for the past five years, he said.
"It's our way of giving back to the community. It's in Cox's core value to support our nation and community," he said.
Panitt is personally involved in helping people fulfill the dream of owning their own home.
"I feel a need in our community ... to support those that are in need and overwhelmed with a number of responsibilities - parents having to raise a family single-handedly and also stay employed and provide for their children," he said.
It's important not just to put them into a home, but to put them in one where they're able to afford the utilities and upkeep, he said.
"Habitat has done a tremendous job over the years in constructing these homes to be more energy efficient," he said.
The younger generation also got involved in making a happy home for the Robinsons.
A number of the children of Cox employees helped out, and Denmark-Olar Middle and High schools raised more than $200 to buy supplies and utensils for the kitchen. Student Body President Shakora Bamberg, Miss Denmark-Olar Da'Brika Sanders and Mr. Denmark-Olar Ja'Cori Brown showed up on Wednesday to unpack and stock the cabinets with pots, pans, utensils and glassware.
"It just seemed like a good idea to help someone," Brown said.
High school career specialist Zelda Douglas and guidance counselor Laurine Hilliard organized the project.
"We wanted them to understand the benefits of helping others," Douglas said. "I really thought it would be a real good idea to get the students involved in something like this because it gives them an opportunity to reach out to learn a little bit about volunteerism. The kids rallied together and really got it going."
The Robinson home is the 55th Habitat home constructed in the Orangeburg area since in 1991. Habitat homes are sold at no profit and are financed with affordable loans. In return, the monthly mortgage payments are used to build additional Habitat homes.
Edisto Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Jamie Bozardt thanked volunteers for their work at the recent dedication of the home.
"Words will never express the gratitude we feel to each of you for all of the hard work you all have put in to this project," she said. "You have each, in your own special way, made Sandra Robinson's dream of homeownership become a reality."
But Bozardt noted that Habitat's work is not finished.
"Fifty-five homes is quite the accomplishment, but we still have work to be done," she said. "There are still families right here in Orangeburg living in horrific conditions, and all they need is a little encouragement and a hand up out of those conditions."
Cox Industries CEO Mikee Johnson said Habitat's work shows you can make a difference in the world one family at a time.
"We live in a community that's too small for us not to help one another," Johnson said.
Contact the writer: dlinder-altman@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5529.
Volunteers came together to build a house for her and her two young daughters, finishing it just in time for Christmas.
The single mother is the proud new owner of a Habitat for Humanity home, and she says this is the best gift ever.
"What a wonderful Christmas!" she said. "Words cannot even express it."
The Robinson family has been living with Grandma in Santee. They say they're going to miss her, but she can come and visit.
Fourth-grader Brianna is already thinking about having a sleep-over. She says she thinks she's going to do her bedroom in pink.
Cox Industries sponsored the Robinson home, raising funds in the community and making a donation.
Bill Cox, founder of the company, has long been involved with Habitat. He donated the property that Robinson's home was built on and another lot where construction will begin early next year.
He and his wife, Katherine, were there to welcome the Robinson family to their new home last week.
"I always thought it was a good project," he said.
Employees also played individual roles, donating time, money and gifts to complete the home and then help furnish it.
Ken Panitt, a Cox employee, spent an afternoon last week moving furniture into the new home on Woodchime Lane.
Cox has sponsored a house each year for the past five years, he said.
"It's our way of giving back to the community. It's in Cox's core value to support our nation and community," he said.
Panitt is personally involved in helping people fulfill the dream of owning their own home.
"I feel a need in our community ... to support those that are in need and overwhelmed with a number of responsibilities - parents having to raise a family single-handedly and also stay employed and provide for their children," he said.
It's important not just to put them into a home, but to put them in one where they're able to afford the utilities and upkeep, he said.
"Habitat has done a tremendous job over the years in constructing these homes to be more energy efficient," he said.
The younger generation also got involved in making a happy home for the Robinsons.
A number of the children of Cox employees helped out, and Denmark-Olar Middle and High schools raised more than $200 to buy supplies and utensils for the kitchen. Student Body President Shakora Bamberg, Miss Denmark-Olar Da'Brika Sanders and Mr. Denmark-Olar Ja'Cori Brown showed up on Wednesday to unpack and stock the cabinets with pots, pans, utensils and glassware.
"It just seemed like a good idea to help someone," Brown said.
High school career specialist Zelda Douglas and guidance counselor Laurine Hilliard organized the project.
"We wanted them to understand the benefits of helping others," Douglas said. "I really thought it would be a real good idea to get the students involved in something like this because it gives them an opportunity to reach out to learn a little bit about volunteerism. The kids rallied together and really got it going."
The Robinson home is the 55th Habitat home constructed in the Orangeburg area since in 1991. Habitat homes are sold at no profit and are financed with affordable loans. In return, the monthly mortgage payments are used to build additional Habitat homes.
Edisto Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Jamie Bozardt thanked volunteers for their work at the recent dedication of the home.
"Words will never express the gratitude we feel to each of you for all of the hard work you all have put in to this project," she said. "You have each, in your own special way, made Sandra Robinson's dream of homeownership become a reality."
But Bozardt noted that Habitat's work is not finished.
"Fifty-five homes is quite the accomplishment, but we still have work to be done," she said. "There are still families right here in Orangeburg living in horrific conditions, and all they need is a little encouragement and a hand up out of those conditions."
Cox Industries CEO Mikee Johnson said Habitat's work shows you can make a difference in the world one family at a time.
"We live in a community that's too small for us not to help one another," Johnson said.
Contact the writer: dlinder-altman@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5529.
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