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Our History

Updated: Feb 13, 2020

Late 1960’s, early 1970’s

  • The Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions sends volunteers to Johns Island to repair homes, provide healthcare, work with migrant farm workers, etc.

  • In the mid-70’s they decide they want to have more of a presence on Johns Island, so they purchased a 10-acre tomato field on Bohicket Road.

 1977

  • Habitat for Humanity International’s founder Millard Fuller visits Johns Island to interest volunteers in starting an affiliate.

  • Mennonites suggest using the 10-acre tomato field to start a Habitat affiliate on Johns Island.

November 1977

  • Several community leaders on Johns Island go to Americus, GA to learn more about Habitat for Humanity.

1978

  • Community leaders apply for affiliate status for Sea Island Habitat for Humanity.

  • SIHH becomes the 3rd Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the world!

1979

  • Volunteers raise $2,500 and start construction on the first Habitat home.

November 1981

  • 5 homes under construction.

1985

  • 13th home completed.

1987

  • Construction completed in Habitat Place (first neighborhood).

1988

  • First three homes built in Taylor Place – total of 24 homes.

1989

  • Hurricane Hugo hits the SC coast and causes much damage to the Sea Islands.

1990

  • Habitat hires Jim Ranck as the first “official” Executive Director, he was called Project Manager.

  • Habitat and The Johns Island Commission receive Trident Community Foundation Grant to build volunteer housing.

  • A storage barn is built to house building supplies.

1991

  • Three volunteer homes built on Bohicket Road in Taylor Place.

1993

  • Taylor Place and three volunteer homes dedicated. Neighborhood named in honor of Mr. Taylor, a simple, humble man who lived on the property until his death.

1996

  • First Golf Tournament Fundraiser.

  • Island Estates Subdivision begins – 34 homes

  • Our Lady of Mercy donates lots in Island Estates to be used for a volunteer Habitat home. 1997

  • First Executive Director, Jim Ranck, retires and stays on part-time for an additional six months during the transition to the new ED, Chuck Swenson.

  • Seabrook Residents sponsor and build their first Habitat home.

1998

  • “The House That Congress Built” Habitat home constructed by members of Congress, The Trident Tech Trades program and the Habitat Resale Store open.

  • Johns Island Resale Store funded & opens in memory of F.R. “Butch” Bush.

1999

  • SIHH begins Murrywood Place – a 30-home subdivision.

2000

  • First Habitat homeowner pays off their mortgage, and the Bishop Gadsden Retirement Home is the first retirement community to sponsor and build a Habitat home.

  • First Women Build project.

 2001

  • Final home in Island Estates completed!

2002

  • SIHH starts phase one of Sea Island Place – a 70 home subdivision.

  • Final home in Murrywood completed!

2003

  • SIHH celebrates 25th year of building homes, and builds 25th home in honor of this very special anniversary!

  • Named U.S. Habitat for Humanity Rural Affiliate of the Year!

2005

  • Builds 22 homes and starting Final Phase of Sea Island Place – by year end 70 families called Sea Island Place home.

  • Named U.S. Habitat for Humanity Rural Affiliate of the Year!

2006

  • Named U.S. Habitat for Humanity Rural Affiliate of the Year!

  • Satellite Resale Store opens on Edisto Island.

 2007

  • Logos officially changed for SIHH and our Resale Stores switched to ReStores.

  • Office moved from Taylor Place to new & bigger location, former Holy Spirit Catholic Church.

  • Construction began in our 5th neighborhood on Johns Island, Brownswood Place. When completed, it will house 53 families.

  • Second Executive Director, Chuck Swenson, retires and stays on part-time during the transition to the new ED, Andrew Beck.

  • First-ever Green Built Home.

2008

  • 30th Anniversary of building homes, building hope! Set goal to build 30 homes, exceeded goal & actually built 33 homes.

  • For the first time, built two Women Build homes instead of one during the week leading up to Mothers Day.

  • Launched new website.

 2009

  • Named Carolina Recycling Association’s “‘Green Building Project of the Year”.

  • 3rd Executive Director, Andrew Beck, Retires and Greg Thoams becomes the new Executive Director.

2010

  • Completed 10th Women Build Project in May, 2010.

  • Has built a total of 275 homes since 1978.

  • Construction on Joeva Cove neighborhood in West Ashley begins.

  • Launched an owner-occupied weatherization and critical repair program to help more families in need.

 2011

  • Completed 11th Women Build Project.

  • Construction completed on the sixth Habitat home in Joeva Cove.

We Work Side-By-Side


2012 

  • Construction begins on James Island at Laurel Oak Grove.  The development will be the future home for 22 deserving families.

  •  4th Executive Director, Greg Thomas, retires and John Rhoden becomes the new Executive Director.

2013

  • Sea Island Habitat for Humanity celebrates 35 years & the completion of 300 homes!

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