8/23/07
Clarendon Habitat gains new exec director and new energies
By Cathy Gilbert

CLEVE DOWELL/Manning Times

New Clarendon HFH Executive Director Connie Robinson and longtime Habitat volunteer Sam Guthrie meet with Habitat homeowners General Lee and Julia Robinson. Connie Robinson, a native of St. Matthews will be help to lead the 13-year-old organization to greater heights in Clarendon County.

It only a takes a few minutes of being around Connie Robinson to realize that whatever she sets her mind to becomes a reality. And in not too much time either.

Clarendon County Habitat for Humanity has been in operation in this county since 1994 and has built 13 houses to date. While the organization continues to thrive, its board realized that to move the organization to a higher level, it was going to take someone to help drive the all-volunteer board in its mission.

The idea of an executive director was formulated last year and after much research and prayer, a Central Carolina Community Foundation capacity-building grant was received, paving the way for hiring a professional director.

It wasn’t an easy job to fill, according to Board President Cleve Dowell.

“We ran an ad for over three months seeking the perfect candidate,” he said. “We were not in a hurry and knew we were looking for a special person. I believe we have found her.”

Connie Robinson is a native of St. Matthews, S.C. and is currently residing in Summerton, near North Santee.

She is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting.

She currently works also as a sales support manager for Gulbrandsen Chemical in Orangeburg, but a highly flexible schedule allows her to do both jobs.

So does a seemingly endless supply of energy!

“I am passionate about causes like Habitat,” she said. “I love people and helping others, both as homeowners and as board members. If I’m not busy, then something is wrong with me!”

Robinson has already begun forming relationships with the Habitat homeowners and is trying to get to meet each one and get to know them.

“It’s important to me that these homeowners are more than a collection of mortgages we hold,” she said. “We need to be a part of their lives and be of support to them, even though the building process has long been completed.”

Robinson said she plans to organize a series of homeowner “workshops” for things like financial counseling, home maintenance, how to invest in your property and understanding credit scores, all of which can be overwhelming for first time homeowners.

“I hope to help our homeowners become successful in their homeownership and take pride in being an owner,” she noted.

Clarendon Habitat for Humanity is currently in the fundraising process for House #14. Robinson brings a wealth of fresh ideas to the organization.

“We are going to do ‘fun’ things,” Robinson said with enthusiasm. “Next on our plate is a fall luncheon featuring The Lee Brothers of Charleston. Matt and Ted Lee are the authors of The Lee Brothers Southern Cookbook and are the owners of The Boiled Peanut Catalogue that ships fresh boiled peanuts and other Southern fare around the world. Southern cuisine is very hot right now and they will be on hand on Nov. 2 to share both their wisdom and stories with us.”

Robinson will be bringing other unique ideas to Habitat including a plan to “Rent a Handyman” and a Clemson vs. Carolina fundraising challenge during the upcoming season.

Expect to hear great Habitat things in the coming weeks and months.

There’s a dynamo on board!