The Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity kicked off their fifth annual Cinco de Mayo fiesta in downtown Florence Friday night. It started at 5:30 P.M. and will go on until 10 P.M. in the 100 block of South Dargan Street.
Organizers put on the event as a fundraiser to help build one local family a home. This year, a single mother with three kids named Con’Stella Brailey is the recipient.
“It’s really breathtaking because at a young age and being a single parent of three kids, I never thought that somebody would actually help me build a house for my family,” Brailey said.
To have a home built, Brailey went through an extensive application process. Officials with Habitat for Humanity said they choose the applicant who demonstrates the most need.
“The people that we serve there has been like maybe a health issue or a crisis that came into their life where they were knocked down a little bit. But, they don’t expect any handouts and our motto is a handup instead of a handout. That makes all the difference,” said Debbie Edwards, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity.
According to Edwards, the city of Florence donated the land where the home will be built. It’s on West Vista street in Florence and will have four bedrooms and two bathrooms.
“I want to thank everybody with the Habitat for giving me and my family a chance,” Brailey said.
Habitat for Humanity came to Florence in 1991. Since its arrival, the organization has built homes for more than 40 families.
“You can put a Band-Aid on situations but when we build these houses we’re impacting their lives forever,” Edwards said.
At the Cinco de Mayo celebration, they will have food and drink vendors, music, a kids zone and dog contests.
People who want to contribute to building Brailey’s home can also donate on the Habitat for Humanity website.
