Community Heroes Series
From the September 2002 issue of Alabama Living magazine

by Kay Marshall

When you live in a small, three-roomed mobile home with a large family of seven, your priorities have to shift on a daily basis. Things must stay tidy and sparse in order to not be in the way while everyone gets ready to achieve their end goal: getting out the door.
During the school year this scenario escalates and "any given Monday" is as competitive as the gridiron. Organization and team-effort are essential in order to win the battle against the clock and get everyone up, showered, fed, and ready for school, work, church, or life in general.
So is the daily life of Marion County's Habitat for Humanity Partner Family, Mark and Cina Shiflet and their five children, Savannah, 2, Sidney, 4, Brandon, 8, Candice, 10, and Jacob, 11.
"This whole experience has been a true blessing to us," said Cina, when asked about their Habitat for Humanity home, "to not only get a new home but to contribute to it as it's being built."

"The boys helped walk off the property lines with their dad and the girls have helped by nailing. Everyone has been able to experience building the home and each time we go out there something's changed, " she said with pride.
"This is the type of family and family situation that is exactly what Habitat for Humanity of Marion County is looking for," said organization president, David Cooper. Habitat for Humanity is here for families, like the Shiflets, who presently do not have the financial possibility of enlarging or improving their housing "The Shiflets have shown a need and meet our organization's qualifications," explained Cooper.

From a group idea to reality
In the Spring of 2000, a group of 30 people began meeting as part of the 2000-2001 Marion County Leadership Program.t This program allows community professional and future leaders to be sponsored by their work place and attend a 3-month seminar that helps teach and enhance their leadership skills.
Groups are then sorted into "Teams", usually with 4-6 members in each. Individual teams must then come up with an idea and implement a project for change, improvement, or education that will benefit the citizens and communities in Marion County.
Sometimes the projects result in a one-day event, while others result in a lasting and beneficial asset for the community.
"Habitat for Humanity seemed like a great fit for our county's needs," said Cooper, "and our chapter of Habitat for Humanity extends to each and every inch of Marion," he explained.

Commitment to an Ideal
After two years of shuffling papers with the idea of establishing a full-fledged affiliation of Habitat for Humanity, Marion County's chapter is now fully affiliated. This feat came about through diligence from the founding members and their commitment to aiding Marion County citizens.

How Habitat Works
Like most beneficial things, the money for the building of a Habitat home stems from the generosity of individuals and businesses. Members hold affairs to raise money, distribute flyers, and host booths at events to publicize the work they're trying to accomplish for area families who meet the qualifications. Donations of time by volunteers and skilled laborers are also given. Businesses also provide necessary supplies and citizens contribute land. "Ministerial organizations have been very supportive in the county," said Woodfin Gregg, Vice-President of the chapter. With community help Habitat for Humanity of Marion County has raised approximately $23,000.00 toward the building of the first home in Hamilton, Alabama," said chapter Treasurer, Bryce Hall.
Partner Family Selection
Asked how Partner Families are selected, Cooper stated that families are chosen based on their ability to meet certain requirements, including:

• Agree and believe in the code of Habitat for Humanity.
• Submit to a background check of credit history, criminal history.
• Have a sufficient income to pay back the loan.
• Agree to complete 300 hours of "Sweat Equity".

Habitat for Humanity does not just build the home and abandon the Partner Family. They provide each family with a "Habitat Friend". In Marion County's chapter, the "Friends" are a couple, Barry and Mary Reed, of Hamilton.
Partner Family to help and support them in a variety of situations. In addition, financial counseling is also provided.

Room & Board
"Room" for the home begins with the generosity of land-owners. The land for the Hamilton Habitat for Humanity home was donated by Jim McRae and Blue Harbor.
Board members for Marion County's chapter are: Elizabeth Knight, Chris O'Neal, Fred Bryant, Egul Belk, Mark Nichols, Tina Fikes, and Ken Knight. Chapter officers are: David Cooper - President, Woodfin Greg - Vice-President, Jane Guyton - Secretary, and Bryce Hall - Treasurer.

What's Next?
"We're very happy to say that we are already in possession of land for the next project home," said Cooper. With land donated by Todd Hogue, of Winfield, Alabama, Marion County's Habitat for Humanity is now searching for another Partner Family. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, usually on the Hamilton campus of Bevill State College. The organization is currently in the process of finding an eligible couple. If you know of a needy family that might meet the requirements for a Habitat for Humanity home please contact the organization.

Marion County's chapter is county-wide, not just from one community for community and the rewards are great.
"The most beneficial thing has been the willingness of people to help," said Cina Shifflet, "it's been a godsend to us."
Asked when they would move into their new home, Mrs. Shifflet said softly, "We'll be home for the holidays."

Kay Marshall
is Web Developer and
writer for Tombigbee EC

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