Faith and Service Drive Homebuilders to Help Those in Need of Repairs

Faith and Service Drive Homebuilders to Help Those in Need of Repairs

BY BARRY WALDMAN

It takes construction skills, business acumen and project management abilities to build a house. Add talent and vision, and an understanding of how people live to build a home. But it takes a heart and an appreciation for the world beyond oneself to build a community.

There are dozens of homebuilders in the Midlands who contribute their talents beyond the marketplace to make their community – and the entire globe – a better place. They recognize the great good fortune to make a living practicing their craft, and want to employ those skills and connections to help those who need shelter but can’t afford their services.

Bryan Clifton, owner of Clifton Custom Homes is moved by his faith to repair homes of families in need. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Irmo asked him to help one couple whose house was taking on water. The husband, a military veteran, is battling cancer and the wife is confined to a wheelchair. While the couple was away, Clifton stealthily led a team of volunteers to repair the leaks and landscape the yard, a $12,000-$15,000 value, Clifton estimates.

“I’m used to building custom houses and then I go to people less fortunate to do basic repairs. It grounds us and gives us perspective.”

— PAT DUNBAR, DUNBAR BUILDERS, INC.

Clifton could have basked in the glow of his good work, but he left before the couple returned. He knew the husband would be embarrassed by his charity and wanted to spare his feelings. “I’ve got some talents and I see needs so I use those talents to give back,” he said.

For Pat Dunbar, of Dunbar Builders, Inc., it’s the contrast of wealth and poverty that drives him to contribute.

“I’m used to building custom houses and then I go to people less fortunate to do basic repairs. It grounds us and gives us perspective,” he said. Dunbar donates materials and labor to restore homes to working conditions through Goodworks in and around Chapin. He likes using his connections to get the job done.

“A lot of subs have been working with me for 25 years. When I ask them for help they are always eager to do so,” he said.

Wade McGuinn, owner of McGuinn Hybrid Homes, is a founding board member of Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity, serves on the board of Harvest Hope Food Bank and led the building of a home for a disabled veteran through the Building Industry Association of Central South Carolina.

Yet much of his charity is directed to whole nations of need. For 25 years he has volunteered through the United Methodist Church to rebuild houses following disasters around the world. He has been to Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti — to which he has returned numerous times. McGuinn and his wife built and manage an orphanage in that impoverished island nation.

“It’s not very logical,” he admits. “We didn’t want to go and we didn’t want to stay but we’re called to. We’re Jesus followers.” McGuinn and his team also spent eight days in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence and rebuilt 250 homes.

Spreading philanthropy locally and internationally is likewise the blueprint for John Covert of Covert Homes. He has contributed his company to various home building programs for families in need, including Home Works of America, constructing 250 houses across the state. He helped found Christian Assistance Bridge food pantry in Blythewood, which served 541 families in the first half of 2019.

Covert has visited Puerto Rico seven times since the hurricane, but not once for vacation. He and his church have repaired 20 houses and built a facility to house other relief teams.

“For me it’s a faith-based decision,” he said. “I’m blessed beyond anything I deserve and I wake up each day and think there is so much to be done. It’s wildly humbling.”