Harmony Christian Community nears fundraising milestone

Despite the COVID pandemic, Harmony Christian Community announced it has raised $97,500 toward its first fundraising milestone of $100,000, and the board has secured $22,500 in matching gifts for the 2021 Midlands Gives effort. The money will be used to purchase the land needed for the project to become a reality.

Right now, there are 2,490 individuals in South Carolina with intellectual disabilities who are being cared for by a parent 65 or older. Simply put, there are not enough places for those adults with special needs to be housed once their parents pass away.

“As a solution, we will build a community where parents would live in their own home and, when needed, take advantage of a full step-down retirement facility and a full nursing care facility,” said WC Hoecke, who cofounded the effort with his wife Catherine. “Our children would live in their own ‘younger home’ on campus with younger staff, enjoying independence with any needed supports.”

The Christ-centered community will allow differently abled individuals and their families to live meaningfully in an inter-generational neighborhood, with a farm, micro-businesses.

Harmony’s Board of Directors includes Katherine Andes, Catherine Boggs, WC Hoecke, Ricky James, Guy Wood and Alex Zelling.

“Together, along with our volunteers and donors, we will create a self-sustaining community where all are valued and all have a future,” WC Hoecke said.

Support Harmony during Midlands Gives and your gift will be matched 100 percent, up to $22,500. Visit https://www.midlandsgives.org/OURHARMONY. Questions? Call (803) 556-3051.