PICKENS COUNTY — The lives of 120 Upstate families were made just a little bit easier in 2015 thanks to the skilled hands and warm hearts of the volunteers at Rebuild Upstate.
According to Rebuild Upstate’s founder and executive director Chris Manley, the non-profit organization that serves the counties of Greenville, Anderson, Oconee and Pickens more than doubled its number of homes repaired from its previous record of 62 in 2013.
Last year, 120 homes were repaired and improved — 22 of them in Pickens County.
“Through the work of 900 volunteers, who performed more than 15,000 hours of service, Rebuild Upstate’s community impact was more than $562,000,” said Manley.
Founded in 2006 as ReWiGo Ministries — an acronym for “ready, willing, going” — the organization changed its name in 2015 to something simpler.
Rebuild Upstate exists to help low-income homeowners with home repairs and accessibility improvements to create safe, livable housing in existing homes and neighborhoods.
Manley stated that homeowners typically fall into three areas: low-income families with children in the home, seniors age 60 and older, and people with disabilities.
Of the 120 projects completed last year, the organization built 75 handicap ramps of various lengths, did 20 flooring repairs or replacements, completed three HVAC replacements or repairs, repaired four roofs, replaced 13 roofs, did 12 shingle replacements and installed three metal roofs.
Two electrical repairs, 14 plumbing repairs, 15 safety grab bar installations and 36 other projects were also completed.
To fund their projects, Rebuild Upstate uses a diverse model made up of not just individuals, but corporations, foundations, local churches and small businesses throughout the area to support the organization.
“This year is a testament to the awesome ability of people to come together as a group to help and aid others across the Upstate,” Manley said.
