What do you get when you mix television home improvement king, Bob Vila, and a beautifully decorated, innovatively designed home?   A $5,000 donation to the United Methodist Relief Center! 

Recently, the United Methodist Relief Center was one of the two charities benefiting from the sale or tickets to tour the "Lifespan" house, built in the neo-traditional l'On subdivision in Mt Pleasant. Interest in the home drew over 3,000 people in two weeks and also drew the interest of Bob Vila who will feature this home on his television program "Home Again" in the upcoming months. 

The concept of the architectural design is a flexible home that evolves from a starter cottage "kernel," with later additions made to accommodate life and family changes.  This enables families to remain in the same home and for the home to grow as the family does. As the empty nest occurs, the original "kernel" can be used as an in-law suite or as a starter home for the newly married children. 

Kevin Kalman, president of Kalman Construction Corp. and builder of the "Lifespan" house, suggested the United Methodist Relief Center as recipient of a portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales because of its mission to provide safe, adequate housing for the rural poor in the area.

Annette and her son, Mariel, have Muscular Dystrophy, and because of this disease Annette must rely on a cane and Mariel on a wheelchair. The family lived in deplorable conditions and could not find a way to live any better due to their physical disabilities and to her husband being out of work. 

When the sun drops below the horizon today and the temperature drops from the influence of the first artic cold to reach the South Carolina coast, the Gooden family will be warm, thanks to Roger Nicolini and the guys. These local volunteers with the United Methodist Relief Center are there today putting in a bathroom floor.  A gas space heater will also be hooked up. Mr. and Mrs. Gooden will only have to heat their 700 square foot home rather than trying to heat Berkeley County with the oven on the gas range.

Henry Carson and another group of volunteers started the project several weeks ago. Tearing out the tub, commode, sink vanity and floor in the bathroom took a whole Saturday. The weather was much warmer then and they planned to return the next Saturday.  On Tuesday, Henry ended up in the ICU with swollen, infected sinus, which blocked his airway. After code blue alarm at East Cooper and surgery, Henry is now stable but still recovering in the hospital. The Gooden's house was in significant need of repair but worse with the bath floor gone, water cut off, the shingles torn off the house, and no heat except for the gas range.

Roger contacted his volunteer team of Bob Wallen, John Winchester, Bill Temple, and Frank Glogorski to see if they would lend their help with the desperately needed repair for the Goodens. Their positive response was immediate, as it has been for several months.   This team has worked with us on Wednesday and Thursday of each week to trim out three other houses. Quality of work will not be compromised, even in this emergency; they will stay there until the floor is in, sealing out the cold and protecting the precious warm heat. God bless you guys!

The whole Huger community has joined Henry's family in praying for his recovery.  All of us care deeply about this kind, gentle, dedicated Christian servant but also see the gaping hole left by his absence.  It is cause for concern and prayer. Henry has been a strong volunteer for the past 11 years lending his passion and influence. He is in our constant prayers.

The work with the poor through the United Methodist Relief Center is dependent upon servant volunteers. Gratitude and appreciation is extended to each one of them. Clarence Westendorff is guiding the installation of a foundation up in St. Stephens, so that a group of volunteers can begin a new house after Thanksgiving. He is juggling this project with his regular work of directing the construction of the Elderly Transportable trailers. He is another one that has given his time and experience for the past 11 years.

 Friends often ask me why I am not depressed after seeing the awful living conditions of the elderly and the children. There are several reasons, but top on the list is the inspiration from seeing these volunteers living out their retired years Christian volunteer ministry.

-DeVon Ruth
Director of Program

"...God bless your good work at the Relief Center."

"...Thank all of your volunteers for giving so unselfishly of themselves."

"...Thank you for the work that you do in loving support of God's people."

" I think it was one of our best trips. It ministered to us as much as it did those we were helping."

At this time of year when most of us are busy with holiday cooking and baking, please remember to help continue to support us by using your BI-LO Bonus Card: 

1.   Sign  up by calling 1-877-426- 6783, or go on-line at www.BI- LO.com. When you enroll, you will be asked for your BONUSCARD number, the first three digits of your last name, and our organization number: 2483. (NOTE: You may register up to three organizations to receive your contributions.) 

2. Each time you shop at BI-LO and use your BONUSCARD, the amount spent will be credited to the UMRC's account. 

3.  BI-LO donates a percentage of the total purchases made by the UMRC registrants back to our organization.