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Shaw volunteers: Sumter Habitat for Humanity ReStore

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  • By Senior Airman Kathrine McDowell
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SUMTER, S.C. --  Airmen from several Shaw Air Force Base squadrons volunteered from July 28 to July 30 at the Sumter Habitat for Humanity ReStore. The goal was to reorganize a 17,000-square-foot warehouse full of donated items. 

The ReStore takes donations of home improvement goods, new or used and surplus materials and appliances. These items are cleaned up and checked for operability. They are then sold to the public at discount prices. 

"We are strictly donation," said Pam Robertson, ReStore manager. "Everything we sell here goes into our building fund that helps us build another Habitat home." 

Many items found in the ReStore came from Shaw AFB. 

"We get a lot of stuff from the base. We were able to take all the cabinets, stoves, refrigerators and everything else that was usable from 250 homes on base before they were demolished," she said, referring to the homes that were leveled to make way for privatized housing. 

The Restore is an ongoing fundraiser that has helped Sumter Habitat build six houses last year. In the last 21 years, the Restore has helped fund 107 homes. That's housing for over 400 men, women and children in Sumter. Habitat has not yet scheduled a build for 2009. 

"The economy has been really bad," said Robertson. "We've been struggling. Donations are down." 

Donations may be down but not volunteers. 

"Volunteers are our backbone, not just in the ReStore but in building houses as well," said Derek Buress, executive director of Sumter Habitat of Humanity. "Without them we wouldn't be able to hold the construction costs down at around $60,000 a home." 

Sumter Habitat for Humanity is not only concerned with eliminating homelessness and substandard housing, they are also environmentally conscious. 

"Our motto is 'Reuse. Remodel. Recycle.'," said Buress. If you're looking to clear out your attic or garage, or are just replacing furniture and appliances, you can donate them to the ReStore instead of bringing them to the county landfill. Your old items can be then sold to someone who really needs them. 

If that wasn't incentive enough, you can get a tax receipt for your taxes next year. The value of items will be set by the donor. You can even donate cars or boats for tax receipts valued at the selling price. 

From just volunteering, Shaw's Airmen have an impact on the community, the environment and the economy. 

"We appreciate what the Shaw folks have always done for us," he continued. "When we need extra volunteers, there's a manpower always willing to stand up to help us achieve our mission of putting folks in need into safe and healthy homes." 

Go to www.habitat.org or www.habitatsumter.org to volunteer. The ReStore is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Call (803) 974-9749 to schedule large item pickups.