By John Howell Sr.

Mississippi Habitat for Humanity Director Trey Jones will speak next Tuesday during a lunch meeting of the Panola County Habitat for Humanity.

“There is a need for the community to be — I guess the word is ‘reminded’ of the organization and how it helps the community,” said Connie Hawkins, First Security Bank CFO who was recently elected Panola Habitat chapter president.

“We’re trying to reach out for current members, new members, inactive members,” Hawkins said.

First Security Bank will provide lunch at the March 27 meeting. The meeting is expected to last from noon until 2 p.m. and is expected to give an overview of the Habitat program.

Anyone interested will be welcome and is encouraged to call Linda Brotherton at First Security Bank, 563-9311, by noon Monday to allow sufficient lunch preparation.

The Panola chapter began construction in November at 119 Everette Street in Batesville of its ninth home.

However, funds are needed to allow the home’s completion and to begin construction on another home on land to be donated by First Security Bank.

Panola Habitat chapter vice president Ted Stewart, who has worked as a volunteer in the organization for over 15 years, said that donations are needed.

“Some of the bigger churches are donating,” Stewart said. “If we could get local folks and industry to help with donations we’d be able to build a house every year instead of one every two or three years.”

“Our mission is to partner with God and with people from all walks of life,” the state director Jones said.
Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-profit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry that uses volunteer labor and donations of money and materials to build simple, decent housing in partnership with the families who will occupy them, www.habitat.org states.

“This is a way to get involved,” state director Jones said. “It helps people become accountable — the volunteers, donors and recipient families; it teaches stewardship, and it increases wealth,” he added.

“I’ve been impressed with the Panola Habitat affiliate,” Jones said, citing the county chapter’s track record of nine homes and its status as a viable 501 (3)c non-profit corporation.

“We don’t give away houses,” Jones said. “We become partners with families using no-interest, non-profit mortgages to build homes.”

Habitat targets families whose incomes range from 30 to 60 percent of the area’s median income, Jones continued. Families participate through sweat equity — joining volunteers to build the home. Habitat  assists families to become homeowners, moves them onto ad valorem tax rolls and builds their personal wealth as their equity in the home grows, Jones said.

“It’ll make Batesville and Panola County a better place to live,” Jones said.