Moultrie News: Habitat gets ‘hand-up’ from Laurel Hill first graders

East Cooper Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit, non-denominational housing organization working to create a community where everyone has a decent place to live, has received a check for $2,725 from the first grade classes at Laurel Hill Primary School. The students from the Mount Pleasant school earned the money by doing special chores at home and pooling their earnings to help families looking for a hand-up, not a hand out, in keeping with the organization’s mission.

The founder and organizer of the fundraising effort was first grade teacher Amy Claxton. Claxton started the effort in 2005 with her own classroom, and has expanded the program every year since. Every first grade teacher at Laurel Hill now supports the effort, and the cumulative amount donated to the organization since 2005 totals $18,600.

A check presentation ceremony was held Dec. 14 at a Habitat house nearing completion in the Phillips Community off of Highway 41 in Mount Pleasant.

“The presentation took on a personal and very touching tone when the children learned that the family moving into the home has a first grade student currently attending Laurel Hill Primary School,” according to Bob Hervey, executive director of the organization. He also noted that with their donation, the students helped East Cooper Habitat for Humanity bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.

The students toured the home, were given hard hats to wear while on the site and participated in coloring and decorating a large “Welcome Home” banner to congratulate the family on their new home.

East Cooper Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, servicing the communities east of the Cooper River in South Carolina. Visit their website at www.eastcooperhabitat.org for information on the organization and how to get involved.