Keyon Ellison became emotional when she thought about how hard she has worked and how long she has waited to become a homeowner. It has been a journey for the single mother of two teens. She says her children have been her backbone throughout the process, along with other family and friends.
Ellison also thanked the volunteers and sponsors of Edisto Habitat for Humanity, which is continuing its mission of providing affordable housing in Orangeburg. The local housing ministry broke ground and began construction on its 98th home at 1281 Wildwood Drive on Sept. 19 for Ellison and her family.
“I'm happy because I waited. I signed up ever since 2019. COVID pushed us back.
So, they had just called us like last year, or the year before, and told us they were going to start building houses back,” Ellison said. “It's been a journey. I waited until my turn.
All I can do is thank God,” Ellison said. She was joined at the groundbreaking by her mother, identical twin sister and her children, Kevion Frazier, 19, and Alexia Frazier, 18. Ellison has advice for others who are in the quest for home ownership.
“Keep pushing and never give up. Your time is coming. There is no time limit.
You’ve got to keep on pushing. I never stopped,” she said. EHFH Executive Director Jessica Burgoyne said, “This home will provide a stable foundation and open new opportunities for Keyon and her family.
” “It's truly an honor to have the unwavering support of our county officials, community partners, sponsors and, of course, the dedicated volunteers who make this possible. Your commitment and contributions continue the growth of Edisto Habitat’s work in transforming lives and strengthening communities,” she said. Burgoyne said Ellison will, “invest hundreds of hours of sweat equity to build her home.
” “In addition to this hard work, Keyon will receive financial education classes, empowering her as she takes this beautiful step toward home ownership,” she said. Burgoyne recognized Habitat's premier sponsor of its 98th home, Walker Industries, a fifth-generation family-owned company headquartered in Niagara, Ontario, with over 1,200 employees across North America. She also thanked West Fraser, the home's lumber sponsor, along with Swiss Krono, the home's flooring sponsor.
Burgoyne presented representatives from Walker Industries and West Fraser with a 2024 Community Builder Award. Representatives of Swiss Krono were unable to attend Wednesday's groundbreaking. “Another group I want to acknowledge is (Bamberg) Job Corps.
It's a great partner. We work in job skills and workplace readiness. Today we have a group of students.
...
Thank you for your commitment to volunteering with Edisto Habitat,” Burgoyne said. Geordie Walker, president and chief executive officer of Walker Industries, was joined by Hero Landry, executive vice president in charge of the company's emulsion division, as well as Scott White, who manages Walker Industries’ Orangeburg facility and all its operations across North America. “Walker has a long history with Habitat for Humanity.
We've sponsored eight builds over the past decade in Canada, and our employees have volunteered at many builds. This is our third build here in Orangeburg,” Walker said. “We've developed a number of emulsions that are used in building and construction.
They really help create homes in communities like this. They're really part of the production process for flooring, walls, kitchen cabinets, insulation, roofing, furniture and even driveways,” he said. Walker continued, “Sponsorship and volunteering today is really driven by our commitment to the communities in which we live and work.
It's really fundamental to our belief as a company, what drives our values across the organization in really creating that connection to the community.” “It's so fundamental that we offer two fully paid days every year to every employee to volunteer in their communities. Last year we donated over 4,000 hours of volunteer work and want to continue to grow on that every year,” he said.
Jim Matthews, production manager of West Fraser Allendale, spoke on the benefit of working with Walker Industries to make Ellison's home a reality. “At West Fraser, we believe, similar to Geordie, that we share a responsibility for the communities in which we live and work. For us, that starts with providing safe and meaningful employment.
It also means being a good neighbor, which is why we're here today,” Matthews said. “That's why we invest in people, their potential and the possibilities for a better future. We also know that having affordable housing available is essential in healthy and sustainable communities,” he said.
Matthews said he also appreciated the volunteers from West Fraser, including, but not limited to, its plants in Allendale, Augusta and Newberry, who turned out to help with the home build. “As a leading provider of renewable wood-building material, West Fraser is proud of our years-long international partnership with Habitat, having built sites across the U.S.
itself, and also across Canadian provinces where we operate,” Matthews said. Brenda Austin, a business relationship manager at CPM Federal Credit Union, said, “CPM's vision is about empowering our members and our community with the opportunity for a brighter financial future.” “With every family that is still in need of a decent place to live, there is a call to action and a call for unity and a call for change.
Together, let us continue to build and empower and inspire, knowing that our efforts today will shape the communities of tomorrow,” she said. Orangeburg County Deputy Administrator Marion Lloyd said, “It's a great day in Orangeburg County, and also for Keyon. “On behalf of Orangeburg County Council and Orangeburg County Administrator Mr.
Harold Young we'd like to thank Habitat for Humanity, the volunteers and supporters, for making this day happen.” Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce Chairman Henry Miller, executive director of the Samaritan House homeless shelter, said, “Events like this help us to understand and see that Orangeburg is growing and will continue to grow. .
.. Success is easy as long as we work together.
” Burgoyne said Habitat has already built 16 ramps this year through its partnership with the Brush for Kindness initiative and volunteers with Carpenters for Christ. Another is on its way. “We're excited to announce that our cozy home, which is a take on a tiny house, will start in January.
Then immediately following, we will have our 100th home,” she said. Contact the writer: [email protected] or 803-533-5534.
Follow "Good News with Gleaton" on Twitter at @DionneTandD Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Staff Writer {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items..
