Berkeley Independent
The house was built on a partnership between First Coast Homes and Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County.
Benjamin and Barbara Batton are the residents of a brand new home on Fennick Street.
“This was my mama’s dream for me,” Barbara said. Barbara recently lost her mother to an illness.
The Battons applied for a house with Habitat for Humanity because their home in Pineville was hazardous to the couple’s health. There was no indoor plumbing or electricity, and the ceiling and windows leaked causing soft spots in the floors.
Barbara is recovering from cancer and Benjamin suffers from diabetes. The Battons were afraid that one of them wouldn’t be alive to see their dream come true. Thanks to Tom and Bonnie Chamberlain of Habitat for Humanity of Berkeley County, their dream is now a reality.
“It’s been amazing,” Benjamin said. “I’ve never seen anything go up as fast as this.”
Jeremy Graves is the president of First Coast Homes. His team worked fast in summer heat to get the house completed. This is the company’s second year partnering with Habitat for Humanity.
“The important thing is doing what we do professionally into helping people,” Graves said.
The Batton’s home was a part of Habitat for Humanity International’s Home Builders Blitz 2008.
Roger Byrd is a building/ product specialist with Habitat for Humanity International. Byrd travels all over the Southeast visiting building blitz sites.
“Not all habitat programs work this way,” said Byrd.
The Home Builders Blitz is unique because it’s a partnership between local affiliates and professional builders, said Byrd. In the week of June 2-7, 200 out of the total 263 houses were built across the U.S. at 110 locations. The other 63 houses were delayed due to weather and land availability.
The Battons survived in their past living conditions with the help of Barbara’s stepfather Steve Troxel. He opened his home to them for their needs including washing dishes and taking hot showers. “I do what I can for them,” Troxel said.
The Battons expressed that they have wanted a new home for more than two years.
BerkeleyIndependent.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. BerkeleyIndependent.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not BerkeleyIndependent.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
- Most Viewed
- Most Commented
- Wandering SC gov will find tough trail at home
- Portable dialysis machine gives patients new lease on life
- ‘We need a hospital in Moncks Corner’
- BHS graduates 228
- Park and Rec Wrap Up: Yanks clinch first; Marlins drop out of top spot
- Pellum, Baur, Barwick and Sessions heading to the next level
- St. Stephen student accepted into leadership program
- ‘We’re Timberland High School’
- Terrific!
- Air France says no hope of survivors in Atlantic
- Wandering SC gov will find tough trail at home (9)
- St. Stephen student accepted into leadership program (7)
- SC gov 'crossed lines' with women (2)
- Eleven-year-old cancer survivor seeks to help others (2)
- Waterline Frustration (2)
- Slave past part of Cypress Gardens’ future (2)
- ‘We need a hospital in Moncks Corner’ (2)
- 10 Republican SC senators call for gov's ouster (1)
- At least 6 SC newspapers say Sanford should resign (1)
- BHS hoopsters can’t wait for November (1)
- Americans not explicit when defining what sex is
- 10 Republican SC senators call for gov's ouster
- SC gov gambles to 'lay it all out' about affair
- At least 6 SC newspapers say Sanford should resign
- SC gov 'crossed lines' with women
- Source: NKorean ship now going the other way.
- Plane with 153 crashes off Comoros, child rescued
- 4 US soldiers killed during Iraq cities pullout
- Iran declares election fight over, vote valid
- China scraps filtering software mandate _ for now