Building Hope: Habitat for Humanity transforms lives in the Lowcountry
BY ANDREA HOERNER Contributor
In the 1970s, on a community farm outside of Americus, Georgia, Habitat’s eventual founders Millard and Linda Fuller developed the concept of “partnership housing. In 1984, President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn began working with Habitat. Thanks in no small part the awareness they have raised since, Habitat now works in all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. They have helped more than 35 million peo-
Humanity and Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity formed as affiliates of this global organization. In 2023, the two merged to become Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry covering all of Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Their goal to help families achieve decent housing has resulted in the construction of 190 new homes. These homes are in Hilton Head Island, Ridgeland, Beaufort and Bluffton where two communities have been created: Brendan Woods and New Hope Village. Habitat houses are sold for what they cost to build. Houses are modestly-sized, large enough for the homeowner’s family’s needs, but small enough to keep construction costs and upkeep to a minimum. The labor of volunteers and partner families, efficient building methods, modest house
with a no-interest, no-profit mortgage through Habitat. Families must qualify financially, and they must be able to perform mandatory “Sweat Equity” hours. They are required to attend budgeting and home ownership workshops. Applicants must Be legal U. S. residents, currently living in substandard housing. Habitat also does rehab and repairs so older homeowners can continue to live safely in their homes. Brenda Dooley, the Executive Director, has been with Habitat for 18 years. When asked about the most rewarding part of her job, Brenda said: “My greatest pleasure comes from working directly with these families. Because they pay their mortgages to Habitat, we start a 20 to 30-year relationship when they come into our program and it’s so rewarding to see their confidence
Stores, with two in our area. This is an important arm of their work, as new and gently-used items are sold to the public, who in turn support Habitat’s work by donating and buying these goods. Sponsors such as realtors, clubs and families, donate funds; other fundraisers include a golf tournament and a very popular Turkey Trot. Harry Williams, Mayor of Hardeeville and a Sun City resident, learned about Habitat from Tom DeMint, a commercial real estate broker, and has now been on the Habitat board for three years. Harry said, “Doing work for other people out of the goodness of your heart is so rewarding. Nobody is in this for themselves.”
For more information on how you can get involved, contact Brenda Dooley at brendadooley@lowcountryhabitiat.org.
Two friends who will soon become neighbors!
Habitat volunteers working on a Beaufort home
Andrea Hoerrner
BY CHRIS ROOSA
Contributor
We’ve lived in Sun City for nearly twenty years. A Disneyland for active adults. A community that is full of activities for ages 55 and over. We are, however, far beyond those younger years of having fun in the sun. The only unfortunate part of this move is that the kids aren’t able to visit as often as we’d like. The expense of traveling, plus their hectic lifestyles, drastically limits their ability to visit other than an annual trip. Amazingly we’ve devised a method to get them here pronto. Tumble! We trip and fall as often as we can. When you break bones, especially a hip, they’re on the next flight! When I fell days ago, fracturing my hip and ribs, I discouraged them from coming feeling we could handle things ourselves. But two days later, fate was on our side, as my husband took a terrible tumble too. Number one child arrived the very next day!
She’s been handling the grocery shopping plus serving meals to us. She’s clean-
The Tumblers
ing and tending to daily laundry. Plus, there’s all the repairs she’s making to the house. It’s like having a live-in handy man on call. She reminds me of the cartoon character, Road Runner, flashing by my eyes as she rushes from one task to the next. I only interrupt her speed with requests of lunch, potty breaks for the dogs or assistance into my bed for a much-needed nap. I find I get exhausted just watching her accomplish all these chores around the house.
I was in so much pain that I really hadn’t had a grand total of eight hours of sleep in two days. I told my husband that I was taking a pain pill along with a sleeping pill so that I could get a much-needed nap. Three hours into my nap I felt something gently rubbing on my arm to awaken me from this deep slumber. When I opened my eyes, hubby was hovering over me. He asked me if I WAS ASLEEP? And was I hungry? He woke me up, from a drug induced nap, to see if I was HUNGRY???
Now our son wants to fly
in to take his turn in assisting the old folks. Unfortunately, I can’t have my son bathing me. He said that when they were toddlers, they witnessed me bathing. I assured him that the body he saw fifty years ago is not the same body daily reflecting in my mirror! My fear is that should he see this currently aged old carcass he’d go home, to his beautiful fiftyfive-year-old “bride”, and heave her skinny butt out the front door fearing her lovely figure would turn into this vision of his sagging, drooping mother someday. Sonny boy is probably not going to cook us dinner or do laundry each day. He’s incapable of dying my white roots. Nor is he going to feel comfortable helping to dress me daily with all these broken bones. So, our better choice is to continue wailing about our pain to the “girl children” because we can get more sympathy work out of them. I’m sure the current child is probably counting the days until she can return to her quiet, undemanding home just to rest up…. for our next fall.
My son mistakenly sent a huge box of bed pads to our house. They looked like extra-large dog training pads. My daughter asked him what she was supposed to do with this mega box of bed pads? Line the house with them? To which he replied, “If she has “an accident” push her nose in it, scold her and throw her fanny outside.” So, for now, until the ribs heal, and the hip is functioning once more, these children are flying in and out of Sun City weekly. We even have the Uber driver on speed dial. I’ve seen as much of her as my own children. Maybe we can adopt her and invite her for holiday dinners. The sad part is once this crisis comes to an end, we will no doubt revert back to the annual visits. Unless, of course, we can manage to fall and break something new. There’s always hope! Chris Roosa is a resident of Sun City Hilton Head.
Choosing the right real estate agent: 5 key considerations
BY GARY SMYTHE Contributor
With the holidays behind us and spring rapidly approaching, many homeowners begin preparing their homes for sale. This process often includes deep cleaning, decluttering, and possibly making renovations. However, one of the most crucial steps is selecting the right real estate agent to guide you through the sale. Here are five key factors to consider when choosing an agent:
1. Preparing Your Home for Sale
Before listing your home, it’s essential to focus on improvements with the best cost-to-benefit ratio. Start with decluttering, deep cleaning, and minor paint touchups. Larger projects, such as new flooring, roofing, or appliances, should be carefully considered. A knowledgeable agent can provide valuable insight into which upgrades are worth the investment and which may not yield a significant return.
2. Neighborhood Expertise
Not all agents are equally familiar with every neighborhood. Local expertise is a crucial advantage when it comes to marketing and negotiating. An agent who specializes in your community understands the nuances that impact home values, buyer preferences, and market trends. This knowledge can make a significant difference in attracting the right buyers and securing the best possible price for your home.
3. Full-Time vs. Part-Time Agent
Real estate is a complex industry that requires experience and dedication. According to the Consumer Federation of America, nearly 49% of licensed real estate agents sell one home or fewer per year. Choosing a full-time agent with a strong track record in your local market ensures that you have a professional who
is actively engaged in the industry and capable of navigating the intricacies of your transaction.
4. Marketing Strategy & Pricing Expertise
Gone are the days when simply listing a home in the MLS was enough to get it sold. A successful agent leverages multiple marketing channels, including social media, email campaigns, personal databases, and even traditional print advertising. Pricing strategy is equally important—overpricing can deter buyers, while underpricing may leave money on the table. Online valuation tools, such as Zillow’s Zestimate, often provide estimates that can be off by an average of 7%, as they rely on tax records and square footage rather than recent upgrades and overall home condition. Consulting an experienced agent ensures a more accurate pricing strategy tailored to current market conditions.
5. References & Reviews
As with any service, client feedback is invaluable when selecting an agent. Online reviews provide insight, but speaking directly with former clients can give you a deeper understanding of an agent’s communication style, professionalism, and success rate. A reputable agent should have a list of references readily available for prospective clients.
Choosing the right real estate agent is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when selling your home. A seasoned professional with local expertise, strong marketing skills, and a proven track record can make all the difference in achieving a successful sale. If you’re considering listing your home this spring, take the time to find an agent who is the right fit for you.
Gary Smythe is a local Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Real Estate specializing in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island. Gary@GarySmythe. com , www.WilliamRaveis. com/GarySmythe
Gary Smythe
BY JOE TURINO Contributor
Sun City’s Backpack Buddies Kickoff: Join the Cause
As it embarks on its 10th year, Sun City’s Friends of Backpack Buddies II is primed to set a new fundraising record, continuing its crucial mission with the Greater Bluffton and Hardeeville Backpack Buddies Organization. This group focuses on a vital cause: “helping eliminate chronic childhood hunger and rectifying the obstacles it presents to the children.” Last year, Sun City residents broke all previous records by raising $72,000 to combat hunger among local school children here in Bluffton and Hardeeville.
Volunteers to the Sun City registered community group, officially known as “Friends of Backpack Buddies II: The Box Program,” recently filled the Colleton River Room of Pinckney Hall on February 4th. They were buzzing with enthusiasm as they went over the extensive preparations needed for this year’s drive, which supports its food box program throughout the
school year. The fundraising drive is scheduled to take place from March 3rd to 17th in Sun City neighborhoods.
Managing the many aspects of the program requires a robust team of volunteers dedicated to purchasing food, packing it into boxes, and delivering these boxes to schools in Bluffton and
Hardeeville throughout the school year. The families of the children pick up their boxes directly at the schools. In the summertime, food vouchers ensure that the children’s nutritional needs continue.
Starting on February 26th, Sun City residents will find in their lower mailbox a flyer, cup, and
label, kick-starting neighborhood efforts across the community. These cups will initiate the collection of “Change for Change,” where residents can place change in the cups, although many residents prefer to write checks. Checks of any amount can be made out to Backpack Buddies, and tax receipts will be issued for donations of $25 or more. Notably, the cost of a box of food has risen from $25 to $45 in just two years, highlighting the increasing need for support.
Tim Sleep, president of the Greater Bluffton and Hardeeville Backpack Buddies, spoke passionately at the Sun City meeting. He thanked all the volunteers and generous residents, underscoring that the organization the Sun City group is raising funds for is “100% volunteer and every dollar raised goes directly to the schools” to fight hunger among school children. He expressed hope that, given the increased cost per box of food, Sun City’s group could surpass its own record of $72,000 raised in 2024 with even greater success in their 2025 drive.
We are excited to announce the appointment of James Burnham as the new Executive Director of STAYING CONNECTED, effective February 1, 2025. Our service levels continue to grow as Sun City expands. It has become imperative that we are able to meet these increased new challenges. Jim brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record with over 40 years of senior management leading a large service delivery operation, making him an ideal fit for this position. With Jim’s guidance and direction, we believe it will position us to offer the highest level of services to our members while
allowing for the possibility of expansion of our service offerings.
In his new role, Jim will focus on increasing our reach, enhancing our services, and growing our community engagement. He is committed to building on our legacy of success, fulfilling volunteer opportunities for Sun City residents, and leading Staying Connected into an exciting new chapter of growth and impact to ensure Staying Connected continues to be a leader in making Sun City a caring community where “Neighbors help Neighbors”.
PHOTO BY DIANE BRAYDEN
Volunteers attending Sun City’s Backpack Buddies group kickoff meeting gathered for a group photo following the meeting.
BY JOE TURINO Contributor
Sun City’s Creative Vision 2025 Winners
Sun City’s Creative Vision 2025 Show, a joint annual event of the Photography, All About Art, and Glasscrafters Clubs, celebrated its 12th successful year. Winners were announced on February 9th, following a total of 9,000 votes cast by Sun City residents who attended the exhibition.
In the category of Favorite Pairing, Photographer Corky Burt and Artist Sandra Anderson took first place. The second place in Favorite Pairing went to Photographer Barbara Reeves and Artist Nancy Carney. Photographer Marilyn Santiago and Glass Artist Kim Cotton captured first Place for Favorite Creative Pairing. Individual category First Place winners included Carol Fox for Favorite Photo, Steve Liker for Favorite Art, and Steve Hengel for Favorite Glass Art. The event’s success was again made possible by the many dedicated volunteers and artists from all three clubs and Sun City Residents attending and voting during the three-day event.
First Place Winners for Favorite Pairing are Photographer Corky Burt for “Rock Garden Waterfall” and Artist Sandra Anderson for “On Target.”
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First Place for Favorite Stained Glass is Artist Steve Hengel for “Tri Color Reflection.”
First Place for Favorite Photo is Photographer Carol Fox for “A Sunny Morning in France.”
PHOTO BY JOE TURINO
PHOTO BY JOE TURINO
PHOTO BY JOE TURINO
