East Cooper Habitat for Humanity, in conjunction with the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association, kicked off Construction Challenge 2008, on Friday, May 2.

The property was secured by Habitat officials in March of 2007 and annexed and zoned into the Town of Mount Pleasant in May of 2007. Infrastructure on the property began in September of 2007.

Development Director Amy Boyd came up with the idea for the project and was able to get the support of four local builders: The I’On Group, The J.D. Smith Company, John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods and Structures Building Company.

They all agreed to take on the project of building one house each, from start to finish.

Not only did they donate their time and labor, but all the fixtures, appliances and even the paint was donated for each individual project.

Working right along side each builder was the homeowner, their friends and families.

From 7 a.m. until dark, framing crews hammered, nailed, raised walls and roofs.  

They rounded out the week with a celebration party and honored, Structures Building Company as the Construction Challenge 2008 winner. They received the first verbal Certificate Of  Occupancy from inspectors. But by the end of the day Friday three of the four contractors all had electricity.

“The excitement at the job site has been amazing,” Boyd said.

“Everyone has worked so hard. But it goes far beyond just building a house for someone. These volunteers have worked right alongside the homeowners and developed lasting relationships. These homes were built with love for families that are unquestionably deserving of them.”

Richard Jackson, project manager for John Weiland Homes said it is his company's good fortune to have been able to participate in Construction Challenge 2008.

This is not John Weiland Homes’ first East Cooper Habitat project, but one of the most memorable.

“Myriam Martinez who is a single mother with two daughters has now achieved the American Dream,” Jackson said. “And the  Martinez family and the John Weiland Homes family came together to make this possible for her and we’re just honored to have been apart of something so special.”

Steve Craver of The I’on Group said that the company’s written purpose is to make the world a more beautiful place for the creation of enduring aesthetic, economic and social value.

“Being involved allowed us to be able to accomplish our purpose, creating a beautiful home for a wonderful family,”  Craver said. “It was a great opportunity for us to give back to the community and it gives Sandra the opportunity to live in a wonderful home. I’m so very happy and proud to be a part of all of that.

“It was a lot of work and we spent a lot time out there but when she came out there on that first day she had basically no home. By Friday she was helping to put the finishing touches on her new home. She just broke down in tears and her family was there crying and it just truly made me realize that this was really something wonderful we were doing and very happy we were able to do it.”

Mike Barton of The J.D. Smith Company team worked long hard hours too.  

“But with the help of all of our outstanding subcontractors and suppliers we were able to get the house done,” he said. “It was a pleasure working together with Allison and her three boys to build their home and see the joy on their faces. We at the JD Smith Co. hope they enjoy it for many years to come.”

Steve Kendrick, owner of Structures Building Company echoes that sentiment.  

“Our entire team at Structures has been blessed to have met and gotten to know Latoya and her daughter. We are so happy to be able to help give her a hand-up,” he said.

The families

Hundreds of volunteers worked on the job site throughout the week to ensure that the following families would be given keys to their new homes on Tuesday evening. Those families include:

•Latoya Palmer who has one daughter, Dakeliah.

•Myriam Martinez who has two daughters, Gina and Laura.

•Sandria Collins who has one daughter, Kiyah.

•Allison Keane who has three sons, Cameron, Benjamin, and Joshua.

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