Our History
Helping Families Become Homeowners Since 1991
Habitat for Humanity was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976. Its mission has always remained the same—to improve our communities and the lives of others by eradicating substandard housing and homelessness by providing safe and affordable housing. Since 1976 Habitat for Humanity has built over 400,000 homes in countries around the world and provided over 1,000,000 people with safe and affordable housing.
The Greater Florence affiliate of Habitat for Humanity received its charter in 1991 and has since partnered with 40 families and 52 children to help them become homeowners and give them the opportunity for a better life.
Total Homes Built
Annual Volunteers
Annual Sponsors
Annual Volunteer Hours
Why Habitat is Needed
Lack of affordable housing can seep into every aspect of life. It forces families with low income to live in substandard rentals that consume much of their income for rent and energy costs. This leaves little money for food, healthcare, transportation and education. Families often move from rental to rental seeking lower housing costs, which triggers educational instability for children.
Habitat brings families, community partners and volunteers together to construct affordable, energy-efficient homes that help families build stability, strength and self-reliance. In fact, the stability provided by homeownership is recognized as the leading factor in children’s academic success.
The Habitat Model
The Habitat program has been carefully designed to ensure successful outcomes. This success is based on the following model.
- Select families for homeowner partnership
- Educate prospective homeowner families
- Engage families through education and the performance of “sweat equity” in order to better themselves
- Insist on personal responsibility by each homeowner family
Proof that Habitat Works
Our foreclosure rate is less than 0.4%. As families pay their mortgage, they develop equity in their home, which changes their financial trajectory and helps break the generational cycle of poverty. In turn, families are more stable, and neighborhoods and whole communities are strengthened.
Our Vision
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Our Guiding Principles
- Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ
- Focus on shelter
- Advocate for affordable housing
- Promote dignity and hope
- Support sustainable and transformational development
Our Non-proselytizing Policy
Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations will not proselytize. Nor will HFH work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with HFH. This means that HFH will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Our organization will not proselytize, nor will we work with entities or individuals who insist on proselytizing as part of their work with us. Our vision is simply to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Our Leadership
Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity staff members provide professional coordination, facilitation, financial, and administrative functions for Habitat partners, volunteers and homeowner families.
Debbie Edwards
dedwards@florencehabitat.com
In 2016, Debbie Edwards came on board as the Executive Director for Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity where she oversees the daily operations for both the affiliate and the Habitat Restore. She provides professional coordination all for Habitat partners, volunteers and homeowner families. Prior to she was the Director of Sales and Marketing for Methodist Manor Retirement Community for 10 years.
Debbie has served on various profit and non-profit boards to include Florence Rotary and the Professional Pee Dee Women’s Group in the Florence area. Her love of serving and helping people is her drive. She has chaired fund raising events to include the annual American Heart Association Annual Ball for two years, the Florence Rotary Alzheimer’s Fun 5K Run and the annual fundraiser for the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity Cinco De Mayo Downtown event.
Accomplishments include a graduate of the 2011-2012 Greater Florence Chamber Leadership class, in 2017 The Fred R. Sheheen Non Profit Leadership at FMU and received the 2008 Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Foundation. She is very involved with the Florence community and has served on various committees for the Florence Downtown Redevelopment projects.
Originally from Greenville, S.C. she moved to Florence, S.C. in 2002 with her husband Phil. Her passion for Habitat’s mission is above all in her world. The most exciting times is when a partner family is announced and handing over the keys to a forever home on the home dedication day. The smiles and relief on the faces of the partner families says it all and she sleeps better at night knowing one more family has stepped closer in beating the odds. A partner family deserves an affordable place to call home to remain safe and secure and that is the best feeling of all.
Kristin Johnson
Family Services & Volunteer Director
kjohnson@florencehabitat.com
Kristin Nesmith Johnson, a native of Kingstree, South Carolina, graduated from Williamsburg Academy in 2003. She continued her education at Francis Marion University, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. After two years, Kristin transferred to Florence Darlington Technical College, where she was part of the inaugural Stingers softball team. She graduated with an Associate’s degree in Small Business Management, with a minor in Accounting.
With a strong background in sales and marketing, Kristin has held roles such as Account Executive at Adams Outdoor Advertising and Director of Marketing and Sales at the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. During her time at the Chamber, she was selected for the Leadership Florence Class of 2018. Seeking personal and professional growth, Kristin became actively involved in several local nonprofit organizations, including Pee Dee Coalition, YMCA, and Young Professionals of Florence. In 2018, she revitalized the Young Professionals group by leading a new board and establishing a refreshed calendar of events, returning the organization to a successful, active status.
Kristin also served as an advisor for the Chamber’s Junior Leadership Program and was a dedicated member of the BNI group in Florence, where she held the position of Vice President. She takes great pride in empowering others and watching them achieve their goals.
Now residing in Florence with her husband and two children, Kristin values the importance of family in shaping personal growth and development. She is deeply committed to providing a safe and nurturing space for families to thrive. Kristin feels honored to be part of an inspiring organization that allows her to serve her community and support those in need, and she is passionate about helping others achieve their goals and secure a safe, stable home for their families. She believes that using one’s gifts to positively impact others is a powerful way to fulfill a meaningful purpose in life.
Sandi Herron
Financial Director
info@florencehabitat.com
Board of Directors Executive Commitee
Leadership for the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity is provided by our Board of Directors Executive Committee and Board Members — individuals from diverse backgrounds, offering varied experience and expertise. Our board members are selected for their demonstrated involvement with Habitat and their commitment to the organization’s mission and vision.
Brendan Barth
President
Born and raised in Florence, I am currently a partner in the law firm of Barth, Ballenger & Lewis, LLP. My practice focuses on personal injury, family court, and criminal defense. Before joining the law firm, I clerked for the Honorable R. Bryan Harwell, United States District Court Judge. I have served on the Habitat Board since 2014, having previously held the positions of Treasurer and Secretary. My wife (Mallory) and I are the proud parents of two kids, Taylor and Marshall.
It is an absolute honor to serve on the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity Board. My favorite part of serving is the very real and very meaningful impact that Habitat has on the lives of each and every partner family. The feeling you get when watching a partner family learn that they are getting a new home is indescribable.
Marvin James
Vice-President
Hi, I am Marvin James, a native of Florence who loves people and the outdoors. From grilling on the back porch to fishing in the open sea to hiking waterfalls in the mountains to landscaping, which is what I do professionally, I just simply want to be outside in nature!! I have a passion for seeing projects go from a simple idea to a tangible reality. Coming from a farm & construction family, I enjoy swinging a hammer and cutting some wood as a way to clear my mind. In 2004, I graduated from Francis Marion University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
And, over the years since graduating I have seen people, restaurants, industry, and culture disappear from the community. One thing I have not seen leave this community is the willingness, eagerness and commitment to help those in need from Habitat For Humanity.
It has been an eye opening experience volunteering with various organizations in efforts to build homes for families in need. The joy, relief, excitement on the faces of partner families when they receive the news they have been chosen for a Habitat build is priceless and is what keeps me driven to be a part of this great organization. There is something special at the end of each build when we get to hand the keys over to the partner family and welcome them home, it pulls at the heartstrings and proves your efforts weren’t in vain.
Jammie J. McDonald
Secretary
I have proudly worked for First Citizens Bank for 13 years. I have been a member of the Florence West Rotary Club for 12 years, serving in several capacities; President 2013-2014; Assistant District Governor for 3 years. Chamber Ambassador, Former Chair Florence Leadership, served for 4 years. I thankfully serve on the Habitat board for almost a year now, where the year has had lots of challenges, we have pulled together and made differences to so many lives in the Florence Community. Being able to do what we do from donations that local organizations contribute makes my heart smile. I am proud to be a part of such a great organization.
Mandy Simpson
Treasurer
Mandy is a Florence native, and has over 15 years’ experience in the financial services industry. She is the owner of Mandy Simpson State Farm and opened her office in January 2017. Mandy has a Master’s in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Francis Marion University. In addition to serving on the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity board, Mandy is a member of the Palmetto Business Referrals BNI Chapter, and she founded and leads the SC Agent Aspirant Program.
Serving on the board for GFHFH has enabled me to impact the lives of local families in such a profound way. A family’s home should be a place of solitude, happiness, and safety. And yet so many local families in Florence find themselves in terrible conditions, with no affordable housing, and no way to change their situation. This board is full of caring, compassionate people, who are willing to roll up their sleeves, and get stuff done. And that’s the kind of board I want to serve on – one that makes a difference, and changes people’s lives for the better.
Board of Directors
Emily Adams
Emily Adams, born and raised in Cheraw, SC, attended the College of Charleston and the Medical University of South Carolina. She began her career as a Physical Therapist at McLeod Regional Medical Center and now serves as Vice President, overseeing Emergency and Orthopedic services, Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab and Sports Medicine services, and the Health and Fitness Center. Emily is married to Scott and has two daughters: Cameron, who attends Wofford College, and Kendall, a sophomore at West Florence. In her free time, she enjoys antiquing, horsemanship, and spending time with her family. Emily looks forward to future opportunities to serve with Habitat for Humanity, viewing it as a unique way to give back and positively impact others’ lives.
Keon J. Aldrich
Keon J Aldrich is the Owner/Broker-in Charge of Pee Dee Elite Realty here in Florence. She has been in real estate for over 15 years and in 2018 was voted by the association membership for the position as
the President of the board of Realtors for the Pee Dee Realtor Association, which has over 400 members and covers 7 counties. Keon has held many positions throughout her career in Real Estate, on the local
and state level and now she can add national to her title as well, she was appointed in 2020 to serve as a director for the National Association of Realtors. She is well known throughout her community as a
supporter of local nonprofits, in which she has been a board member for many years. When she has spare time, she enjoys spending it with her husband, Brad and their children, a daughter, a junior in college and their son, who attends public school in the Pee Dee.
“Habitat for Humanity has helped so many families in the community that when the opportunity came for me to serve, there was no way I was going to turn it down. I serve because I enjoy being a part of such an amazing experience and to see the smiles on the families faces when you tell them they are the next deserving family to get a new house is a feeling that you cannot describe. It warms my heart to see how much the entire family, even down to the little kids appreciate what Habitat has done for them.”
Meggie Daniel
A native of Florence, I serve as General Counsel for HopeHealth, Inc, exhibiting expertise in compliance and transactional law matters. Prior to returning to Florence in 2013, I clerked for Justice Kaye G. Hearn on the SC Supreme Court and co-authored a book with Chief Justice of the SC Supreme Court Jean H. Toal. Outside of proudly serving on the Habitat Board since 2016, I also serve on The School Foundation, and have proudly participated heavily in the arts when able.
Habitat brings a much needed service to our community and being able to watch a family realize what often seems like an unattainable goal fills my spirit with strength. I serve to be able to give these families the tools to step across the threshold into their new home and into a much brighter future.
Tom Carringer
I have spent my life assisting churches and organizations that serve churches across the United States in strategy development and ministry/business development. Since 2104, I have been fortunate to serve on the Greater Florence Habitat Board as Development Director for several years and now on the Executive level as Board Secretary. During this time, in addition to changing people’s lives by providing adequate housing, we have established a strategic partnership with the City of Florence to provide properties for building homes and subsidies to improve them. We also launched one of the most famous street festivals in Florence, Cinco de Mayo, to raise money and increase awareness for this invaluable ministry to so many.
I am passionate about Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity because when we put someone in a home, we completely change many lives for generations to come! And by offering a hand up instead of a handout, any gift to Habitat is perpetual. You donate to build a home; the partner families pay off a reduced mortgage they can afford due to sweat equity and volunteer assistance; the mortgages’ monies go back into building homes for others. It never stops! I cannot see a better ROI on my investment than that! Join us! Be part of providing everyone in Greater Florence a decent place to live!
Trevis Cooper
Eric Crowley
Teddy Dowling
Megan Gioldasis
Megan is a graduate of Clemson University and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. She and her husband, Pete, grew up in Florence and have deep roots in the community. Megan is the Branch Manager of CB&T Wealth Management, a division of Carolina Bank. She has served in many leadership roles in the Florence community and is a past board member of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce as well as Young Professionals. She is a graduated the Leadership Florence program in 2012 and was awarded the Chamber Champion in 2013. Serving on the Habitat Board since 2014, she has been chair of Family Services for the past 3 years. She is now Treasurer.
To have the privilege to be a part of an organization that can bring amazing change the lives of such deserving families has been one of the great joys of my life!
Matt Goodstein
I appreciate and admire Habitat’s mission of providing affordable home ownership for deserving families. It not only improves the lives of a specific family, but can also positively impact that family’s future generations. It’s a blessing to be involved with such an outstanding organization centered on Christian values.
Chris Handley
Chris Handley is married to Dottie. Serves currently as executive director for Helping Florence Flourish. Enjoys cycling, roasting coffee and reading.
Brooke Knotts
Brooke is a native of Florence with over 13 years’ experience in the banking industry. She is the Branch Manager for the First Bank locations in Florence, SC. Brooke earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Anderson University. She is married to Alex Knotts and has two children, Marlee and Will. In addition to serving on the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity board, Brooke is a member of the Florence Breakfast Rotary, member of Southside Baptist Church, and Chamber Ambassador for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. Serving on the board allows Brooke the opportunity to enable others and provide the support they need to achieve their goals of owning their own home! She is a Business Development Officer for First Bank.
Jay Lavrinc
Jason Newton
Jason is Vice President-Investments and a founding partner of Crescent Advisory Partners of Raymond James. He has dedicated his career to helping clients build, manage, preserve and transition their wealth, through his work as a Financial Advisor. He has more than 20 years of financial industry experience and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.
Jason has been a member of the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity board of directors since 2012.
He served as President and Chairman of the Board from 2017-2020. Jason says that his initial interest in serving on the board originated when he learned of the life-changing work done by Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity and the Habitat motto: “giving a hand up, not a handout”.
Jason has been involved in the community throughout his life. In addition to serving on the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity board, he is also a longtime member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of Florence, a youth sporting clays coach for the South Carolina Youth Shooting Foundation, a past board member of the Pee Dee Chapter of the American Red Cross, and a member and youth basketball coach of First Presbyterian Church of Florence.
Jason is originally from Andrews, South Carolina. He now lives in Florence with his wife, Tara, and their children, Jayce and Jules.
“Unlike many other human service non-profit organizations, at Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity we don’t help a tremendous amount of individuals each year. However, when we help a family to realize the dream of homeownership, it becomes a life-altering event that reshapes the standard of living for multiple generations within that family. We are truly putting God’s love into action while building homes, communities and hope! This is why I serve through Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity.” – Jason Newton
Frank O'Shea
Marvin Owen
Marvin Owen is the President Emeritus of ACS Technologies and serves on the ACS Board of Directors. Marvin holds a Math/Computer Science degree from Furman University and an MBA from Wake Forest University. He serves on the boards for the McLeod Hospital Foundation and the Methodist Manor. Marvin and his wife Beth Ann enjoy time with their six grandchildren and are very active in Central UMC of Florence SC.
Habitat is a great organization and I am happy to be a part of the board of directors. The mission of providing homes for people in need is to me an active way to be the hands of God as taught by his son Jesus Christ.
Robbie Timms
I am a lifelong Florence resident and have been in the Financial Services industry for 20 years. I have been with Truist Wealth for the last 7 years serving as a Wealth Advisor. In this role, I help affluent families and business owners take a comprehensive, strategic approach to financial planning and asset management. I utilize an in-depth financial needs analysis, and partner with specialists in Banking, Strategic Credit, Investments, Risk Management, and Trust and Estate Planning. I develop recommendations that are tailored to my client’s needs, priorities, and preferences.
I have been a Board Member of Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity since 2014 serving in various roles including Treasurer and Vice President. I’m currently serving as President of our Board. I’m an avid golfer and serve on the Board at Florence Country Club. I’ve also been Chairman of the McLeod Children’s Hospital Golf Tournament for the past 6 years. I’m married to my wife Grace and have two sons, Carson and James Wade. I enjoy coaching their various sports teams and staying active in the community.
I’m passionate about Habitat for Humanity because we really make an impact for our family partners by providing them with a house of their own. Many times it’s not only a house, but a fresh start for their lives and their families. We may only assist 2 to 3 families per year, but we are making a lifetime impact on the partner families that we assist. They then become a part of our family, the Habitat family.
Thomas Smith
Jessica Watts
Our ReStore Staff
We are grateful for our staff and volunteers who maintain, accept donations, stock the shelves and help us run the retail side of our ReStore. Every contribution received from the sale of each donated item goes to help another Greater Florence family achieve the dream of owning their own home.
Ezekiel Gibson
Warehouse Manager
Patrick Earp
Warehouse Associate
Cheyenne Dozier
Donation Coordinator
Sarah Sheer
Sales Associate
Chanda Sellers
Sales Associate