Habitat honors partners and volunteers at 30th Anniversary Founder’s Day event
September 24, 2015
GREENVILLE, SC – Thousands of people from across the Upstate have helped Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County over the past 30 years. On September 20, the organization commemorated its 30th anniversary, and honored some of its key partners in a Founder’s Day celebration at First Presbyterian Church.
Among those honored were long-time volunteers and former Habitat directors, Joe Barron and Tom Faulkner, who have supported the agency since its founding in 1985. Also honored were past and present Board members, and some of Habitat’s key partners:
- First Build: Christ Church Episcopal
- 100th Build: Fluor and Ameco
- 200th Build: BB&T, Furman University, Buncombe United Methodist Church
- 300th Build: Greenville Health System
Special guest, Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson, shared his story of growing up in a Habitat home and how homeownership impacted his life, saying, “It is a life changer,” he said. “I took a different approach to life after that. Now, I hope to inspire other people. If I could get this blessing, so can they.” Larry Gluth, Sr. Vice-President, of Habitat for Humanity International, presented Watson Habitat’s “Next Generation” award, honoring people who grew up in a Habitat home and went on to achieve success.
L.A. Love, Director of Development for Habitat for Humanity of Lubbock, Texas, spoke about his life as the son of a Habitat homeowner, and his commitment to fulfill Habitat’s mission of “seeking to put God’s love in action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.”
Monroe Free, President & CEO of Habitat Greenville, summed up the organization’s impact in Greenville over the past 30 years, saying, “Habitat is really in the business of changing lives – not just building homes. We look forward to creating positive change for Greenville’s families with low income for the next 30 years.”
About Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
Through affordable home construction, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville strives to eliminate poverty housing and the social and economic problems it causes. It is the 2015 winner of the Nonprofit Excellence Award given by the SC Association of Nonprofit Organizations (SCANPO). Habitat Greenville, chartered in 1985, celebrates its 30th anniversary and construction of its 330th home this year. Learn more at www.habitatgreenville.org.
