Two families in Richland County are working toward their keys before Christmas. Their homes are going up right now, and this week, a neighbor they’ve never met is stepping in to help them finish strong.
We’re grateful to announce that Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity has received a $20,000 unrestricted gift from an anonymous donor known only as The Cheerful Giver, made through Central Carolina Community Foundation.
The timing couldn’t be more meaningful. Plans are in place for these families to spend this Christmas somewhere they have never spent one before: in a home of their own. Thanks to The Cheerful Giver’s generosity, those families can spend Christmas morning in a house they helped build with their own hands.
Where “Love Gives” Comes From
The message behind the gift is two simple words: Love Gives.
It draws on one of the most familiar verses in Scripture, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.”
Love and giving have always gone together. Real love doesn’t stay a feeling. It shows up for neighbors in need with compassion and action. The belief in faith through works has always been at the heart of Habitat’s mission.
“‘Love gives’ is a beautiful expression of the faith that inspires Habitat’s mission,” said Moryah Jackson, CEO of Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity. “God’s love calls us to love our neighbors through action. The Cheerful Giver has answered that call with generosity that helps families build a more secure future. What a meaningful way to celebrate the season: helping our neighbors begin new traditions in a place of their own.”
Why an Unrestricted Gift Matters
Not every gift is the same. Many donations are designated for one specific project or expense. Those gifts matter, and we’re grateful for every one.
An unrestricted gift is different. It gives Central SC Habitat the freedom to put resources exactly where they’re needed most, the moment they’re needed. Often, they’re what keep a build on schedule or cover a cost no one saw coming. Most importantly, they strengthen our ability to serve more families, both today and in the years ahead.
The Cheerful Giver’s trust in our mission is a gift in itself. This support will help advance affordable homeownership across Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties.
Every Habitat Home Is a Partnership
A Habitat home is never built by one person. It’s built by future homeowners, volunteers, donors, congregations, and community organizations alike.
Each brings something different, whether that be time, resources, skills. Together, a shared commitment to serving our neighbors becomes a front door a family can walk through.
Habitat is a hand up, not a handout. Our homebuyers purchase their homes with an affordable mortgage, with monthly payments set below 30% of household income. They also complete financial education and homeownership preparation, so they are ready for both the responsibilities and the opportunities that come with owning a home.
The results speak for themselves. Since 1985, Central SC Habitat has built 291 homes, and 111 homeowners have fully paid off their mortgages.
Those numbers represent decades of families and community partners building side by side. The two homes rising in Richland County right now are the next chapter of that story.
Put Love Into Action This Christmas
The Cheerful Giver showed us what it looks like when love gives. Now, we’re inviting you to do the same.
Whether you’re an individual, a business, a congregation, or a community group, there’s a place for you in this work. You can:
- Volunteer on a build site. No experience needed, just a willingness to show up.
- Give a gift of any size to help more families build a foundation for the future.
- Pray for the families moving toward homeownership this season, and for the neighbors still waiting for their turn.
Every hour and dollar helps another neighbor take one step closer to home.
