‘We want to be an action community’

Habitat for Humanity praises county’s response to need

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

Previous coverage
* Dec. 9: Habitat recruits Rotarian volunteers
* Sept. 11: Day of Caring allows county to breathe better
* Sept. 7: A lesson in grace
* Sept. 1: Habitat ReStore readies for ReLaunch

ROCKINGHAM — Begging the pardon of Nike co-founder Phil Knight, Ken Rahall wants to deliver a simple message to churches, businesses or civic groups sitting on the fence, debating whether or not to get involved.

“Just do it,” Rahall said.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Edward "Weasel" Tender, right, speaks with Amie Fraley, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Edward “Weasel” Tender, right, speaks with Amie Fraley, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills.

Rahall, faith relations coordinator with the Habitat for Humanity of the North Carolina Sandhills, spoke Wednesday during the nonprofit group’s monthly meeting at First Baptist Church on Randolph Street in Rockingham. Before a group of 18 people affiliated with each of the three areas noted, Rahall said that “we want to be an action community.”

Rahall, in his 18 months in Richmond County, said he’s been nearly overwhelmed by the response. He quoted from the Bible, James 2:17, “faith without action is dead,” and then he pointed to Richmond County.

On Wednesday, at least three churches were represented, along with the North Carolina Extension Service and Perdue.

“The community and the churches … are not dead” here, Rahall said.

Habitat board member Mark Trudeau called Habitat beneficiaries like Edward “Weasel” Tender “partners for life.”

Perhaps there’s no better example of what represents the best of Habitat than the Dobbins Heights resident. Tender’s house is currently under a repair project but as far back as last fall, the U.S. military veteran with two combat tours to Vietnam under his belt was already on board as a volunteer. He helped in September during the United Way’s Day of Caring at a Dobbins Heights home on Perry Avenue.

He was also present on Wednesday, eager to find out how else he could help.

“We’re grateful for all the things you’re doing up there,” Tender told Amie Fraley, executive director. “We have a lot of volunteers for a medium-, to low- to no-income area.”

Tender said his small town has “a big prospect of growing, but we need some outside help.”

Help is on the way, Fraley said. The group’s first Richmond County build in years is expected to break ground in June in Dobbins Heights. The family already has been vetted and selected.

Volunteer opportunities

Six volunteers are needed for a Richmond County repair project on Saturday, March 14. Another six to eight people are needed for a March 21 repair project, also in Richmond County.

For more information, call 910-295-1934 or email info@sandhillshabitat.org.

 ReStore needs

Trey Robbins, manager of the ReStore on Highway Business 74 near Lowe’s, said the store is in need of donated furniture. That furniture is then resold, with a portion of the proceeds going to help the repair and build ministries.

Habitat’s Gala

Save the date — Saturday, April 11 — for the Habitat for Humanity of the NC Sandhills’ signature fundraiser. A night of dinner and dancing, along with silent and live auctions, is set to begin at 6 p.m. at Pinehurst Country Club.

 

 

 

 

 

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