Upstate Habitat Teams Up with BMW for Community Home Build in Greer
Greer, SC: In a remarkable show of community spirit, associates from the local BMW Manufacturing plant swapped their usual spanners and gear levers for hammers and nails, and helped to raise the first wall of a new Habitat for Humanity home. The emotional wall raising event marked the onset of the construction phase for an eagerly anticipated new home on Ruddy Creek Circle.
This joint effort signifies a significant partnership between employees from the BMW Plant Spartanburg and two Habitat for Humanity groups: Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County and Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg.
Laying the First Brick on a Mission for Affordable Housing
Monroe Free, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County, emphasized in a press release that a wall raising is much more than just a ceremony marking the start of building a house. It sets the stage for countless hours of teamwork, involving both volunteers and the future homeowners working hand-in-hand to perform tasks like hanging drywall, nailing shingles, and applying coats of paint to give life to the walls.
The event not only marked the initiation of the construction phase, but it also celebrated the hard work that is invested in making affordable housing possible. It is a milestone for the families who are set to move into these homes of their dreams.
A Partnership in Service to the Community
The support from BMW is instrumental in executing this mission for affordable home ownership, said Raymond T. Davis, CEO of Habitat Spartanburg. He expressed his excitement over this joint build initiative, emphasizing that partnerships such as these spark generational changes and uplift communities.
Max Metcalf, who manages the Government and Community Relations for BMW Manufacturing, shared in the enthusiasm, asserting that BMW is proud of its ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity. This endeavor aligns perfectly with BMW’s commitment to teamwork, service, and stewardship, making a lasting impact in the community by providing hope, opportunity, and a better future for many deserving families.
Habitat’s Homeowner Preparation Program Includes More Than Constructing the Home
An important thing to note here—that often slips under the radar—is that the homes aren’t simply handed over. The future homeowners actually purchase their homes. They have to take part in Habitat’s homeowner preparation program, which includes courses in personal finance, budgeting, mortgages, credit, home maintenance and repair, conflict resolution, and more.
What’s more—families must also be willing to put in a minimum of 200 hours of ‘sweat equity’ as volunteer service for Habitat. This includes working on their own house construction, assisting in the creation of other Habitat homes, and possibly even lending a hand at other non-profit organizations.
Granting More Than Just a House – They Are Granting an Opportunity
The efforts embarked on by the Upstate Habitat groups and BMW is truly a notch above the rest. Our community not only comes together to build homes but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose that is the cornerstone of transformative change. Thanks to them, home ownership for families with low income is now a possibility rather than a distant dream.
