Since its start in 1989, The Columbus-Lowndes County chapter of Habitat for Humanity has built 36 houses throughout the county.
But before it can start on a new construction, a lot of financial heavy lifting has to be done. That means securing the $65,000 to $75,000 required for each new home.
On Tuesday, Habitat officials Kathy Arinder and Abby Davis updated the Columbus Rotary Club on those efforts while providing more details on a fund-raising tool that started last year but should hit full stride in 2016.
“When I look back on 2015, it’s kind of a blur,” said Arinder, who has served as executive director in Columbus since 2008. “There was so much stuff going on, from moving our offices from Highway 69 South to our new building on Gardner Boulevard, to providing new homes for three families, including one new construction and rehabbing two other homes. It was a busy, busy year.”
In addition to relocating its offices, Habitat also opened a re-sale store in the same 8,500 square foot facility at 1110 Gardner Blvd., where Davis serves as store manager.
“The ReStore has just been an amazing experience,” Davis said. “Every Saturday, we see such an amazing cross-section of people. And when the doors open at 8 a.m. on Saturdays, it’s kind of like Black Friday at Walmart. Everybody rushes in. We have four shopping carts, so the first big rush is to get one of those carts. Then, around 8:20 p.m., we turn up the music and everybody dances. It really is incredible and so is the support. It’s not just the wealthy, the doctors’ wives who are donating items for us to re-sell. It’s also people who have next to noting to donate. It’s everybody, all walks of life. It gives me a great sense of hope for the community.”
The ReStore, which first opened on the Saturday after Labor Day, is open on Saturday’s only from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Davis said that since the store is run by volunteers with no paid staff, operating hours are limited.
“We hope we can get enough volunteers to open other days of the week,” Davis said. “That’s our goal, but right now, we’re limited to Saturdays.”
The Habitat re-sale store differs from other charity-based thrift stores, Davis said.
“We don’t accept mattresses or clothing or most small appliances, which are big sellers at many thrift stores,” Davis said. “We didn’t set out to be competition for those stores. Our focus is more on other things, even though there is some cross-over in areas like furniture, which other stores sell, too. Our focus is more on home furnishings — everything from cabinets, doors, windows — to large appliances and decorative accessories — china, glassware, lamps and lighting.”
Both Arinder and Davis stressed the need for volunteers, not only with the high-profile “builds” it stages, but in a wide variety of ways.
“When we talk about donations, it’s not limited to money or helping on a build site, which we welcome,” Arinder said. “There are other ways to donate: by volunteering at the store, providing pick-up for donated items, serving on committees, even helping with the classes we provide for applicants.”
Those interested in volunteer opportunities or making a donation can call the Columbus-Lowndes Habitat for Humanity office at (662) 329-2501 or visit its website at columbushabitat.org.
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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