Habitat Greenville honors donors and volunteers who went above and beyond in 2017

In 2017, through the work of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County, 11 families became homeowners and 13 families are enjoying more energy efficient homes through home preservation projects. The organization also opened a new ReStore at 3033 Wade Hampton Boulevard. These accomplishments were made possible with the support of dedicated donors and volunteers. On Thursday, Habitat Greenville honored individual and corporate donors and volunteers who went above and beyond over the past to support their mission to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Organizations honored for their extraordinary dedication to Habitat Greenville include Riverside High School, named Organizational Donor of the Year for their efforts in raising over $80,000 for Habitat Greenville during their fall 2017 Spirit Week. Publix Super Markets Charities was honored as the Corporate Donor of the Year for committing $5 million to build Habitat homes across the Southeast, including in Greenville.

Individuals honored for their contributions to Habitat Greenville include Joshua Ratcliff, named Individual Donor of the Year for his support of Habitat through homeowner gifts, annual fundraiser support, and cleaning services donated to Habitat Greenville through his company Michael’s Janitorial. Additional individual honorees include John and Kitty Dillewyn, Lifetime Achievement Award recipients who have collectively volunteered 3,800 hours with Habitat Greenville. Ray and Flo Breneman were recognized with the ReStore Hero Award, Melanie Hendrix was honored with the Family Ambassador Award, Steve Worrell received the Battered Hammer Award, Justen Brewster was named Volunteer of the Year; and Tommy Blackmon was recognized with the Strong Foundation Award.

The following 28 volunteers who accumulated 100 or more service hours in 2017 were honored at the event as “100 Hours Club Volunteers”:

• Bob Armbruster
• Cathy Baus
• Justen Brewster
• Elizabeth Brewton
• Kevin Davidson
• John Dillewyn
• Kitty Dillewyn
• Henry DuPre
• Doug Ezell
• Linda Finlay
• Karen Gagne
• Robin Gallant
• Ed Given
• Keith Goodall
• Margie Hill
• Ed Hogan
• Martha Kilgore
• Bruce McCandless
• David Morris
• Ross Owen
• Peter Pang
• Miriam Pang
• Chuck Small
• Joe Smith
• Jim Stradling
• Ruud Veltman
• Don Welch
• Steve Worrell

“Habitat Greenville is truly built on the service of our dedicated donors and volunteers,” said Monroe Free, Habitat Greenville President & CEO. “More than 1,900 donors gave, and over 2,700 individuals volunteered in our ReStores and on our homebuilding and home preservation projects last year. We are deeply grateful for their work and dedication to our goal of breaking the cycle of poverty by making affordable homeownership possible for Greenville families.”

About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County opened its doors in 1985 to bring families, community partners and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build strength, stability and self-reliance. As of January 2018, Habitat Greenville has completed construction of 348 homes.
Habitat Greenville received the 2017 Builder of the Year award from EarthCraft, and in recognition of financial health, accountability and transparency, maintain a 4-Star Charity status by Charity Navigator.

Habitat Greenville ReStores are located at 3033 Wade Hampton Boulevard in Taylors and 10017 Pelham Pointe in Simpsonville. Call 864-312-5016 for free donation pickups.

Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.