by Kathy Foster
Carmen Smith, Area Director of the Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity, was the guest speaker at Tuesday’s meeting of the Chipley Kiwanis Club.
Smith invited the Kiwanians and other Chipley residents to stop by the Habitat ReStore on Railroad Avenue in downtown Chipley to find out exactly what the store has to offer area residents.
Explaining the history of Habitat in Washington and Jackson counties, Smith said Habitat was founded in Washington County in 1992 and merged with Jackson County in 2016 at which time it became Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity.
Since it’s founding Habitat has built 70 homes from the ground up, remodeled six homes, and following Hurricane Michael was instrumental in repairs to 19 homes.
Describing the agency’s work as a “long term investment in the community,” Smith said the Christian-based group is working to make homeonwers in the program more self reliant.
Each Habitat homeowner has sweat equity involved and is required to give 500 volunteer hours with the Habitat program.
The Habitat ReStore in Chipley is open Wednesday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Items being donated to the Habitat ReStore can be dropped off during those hours. While they don’t take appliances, clothing, toys, books and miscellaneous items are appreciated.
Habitat will pick up furniture from households in the county. Arrangements can be made by contacting the Chipley ReStore.