We are celebrating our 25 th anniversary! The Northeast Georgia Affiliate was started in 1985 by pastors and lay people from area churches. We have built 60 houses to date in Habersham and White counties and house number 61 is in progress. Through the international home building tithe, we have served over 36 families, primarily in Guatemala .
In the spring of 1985 the Rev. Bo Turner of Tallulah Falls Baptist Church , Fr. Gerald Peterson of St. Mark Catholic Church in Clarkesville and Fr. Julian Lachicotte from Grace Calvary Episcopal Church in Clarkesville met to discuss the need for decent affordable local housing. Lay people from Clarkesville First United Methodist Church , First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem Baptist Church , and St. Mark Catholic Church joined the discussion. By the fall of 1985, the Northeast Georgia affiliate of Habitat for Humanity was in place. Fr. Gerald Peterson, “Father Pete” as he was affectionately called was the first president. The first partner family was the Mary Nicely family of Cleveland and their White County home was dedicated in the fall of 1986. Funds were raised from donations and a twice yearly sale in the parking lot of the First Presbyterian Church.
Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller to address the issue of poverty housing. No profit is made on the homes and no interest is charged on the loans. The Fullers visited the Affiliate in its early history.
During the early years it was “like a circus” and we were “amazed we managed” said Al Parsons, a former Board President. Another early Board President, Agnes Ramsey, described the situation as “winging it with faith.” During that time they managed to build 3 houses a year. The cost of land and a home was $14,000-$16,000 early on, which stands in stark contrast to today's costs.
Tom Gagnon was lead carpenter from the beginning, except for a brief hiatus. Tom has been described as the “glue” and the “core” that held the Affiliate together by several past Presidents. Tom was “the root of most people's affection for Habitat” according to JD Weldon, a recent Executive Director. Always cheerful and a patient teacher he is committed to building a quality house.
As the organization grew, a thrift shop was started in a chicken coop borrowed from Tom Nalls on Demorest-Mt Airy Road . An opportunity to purchase property on Rocky Branch Road with a chicken coop arose in the late 1980s. Coop equipment was sold off and volunteers cleaned up the chicken coop and it became known as the Warehouse Store. A cement floor replaced the dirt one as funds permitted. About the same time, the house which served as offices for the former Habersham County Medical Center was donated to Habitat and moved to the site free of charge. The house became Habitat's offices and a thrift shop separate from the Warehouse was eventually created in the house.
The Warehouse is now known as the ReStore and also contains the ReVive garden shop. The thrift shop is now known as the ReStyles Gift Shop. The recent transformation of this fundraising effort has been very successful and the retail spaces are clean and well organized.
Over our 25 year history many things have changed. Land and building materials cost much more. There is more oversight and support from Habitat for Humanity International. We have moved from an all volunteer organization to one with some paid staff. What has not changed is the enthusiasm of our volunteers. Our success is measured in the homes we build and the lives we change. We would love it if you would become part of that journey!
