Clarendon Habitat’s ‘Makin’ Music’ for a great cause

Cleve Dowell/Clarendon Citizen

Saturday night may have been chilly, the wind may have been brisk and rain may have threatened, but more than 200 Clarendon County citizens didn’t let a little iffy weather stop them from coming out and enjoying the home grown talents of a dozen of Clarendon’s finest talents in the second “Makin’ Music @ the Gazebo” concert benefitting Habitat for Humanity.

“We are so grateful to our community supporters and the concert is a way to give back to the community and raise a little money for our home building efforts,” said John Belding, Vice President and Building Chairman for the Clarendon affiliate.

Belding manned the grill flipping burgers and dogs while other board members peddled homemade baked goods and beverages.

Connie Robinson, executive director of Clarendon’s Habitat affiliate, estimated that the fundraising effort netted a little more than $2,000.

The show opened with a stirring a capella patriotic medley by Tammy Glaser.

Other performers included the Manning UMC Praise Band, Rena Morrison, Michelle Brewer, Threefold Cord of New Zion, Vonnie and Jamie Ridgeway, Noah Griffith, Karen Hilton, Craig Varn and John Smith, Rev. Debra Quilling-Smith and Brittany Odom.

The show went on for more than two hours, despite the frosty temperatures.

“The next time we do this, we promise it will be warmer,” said Habitat President Cleve Dowell, who served as emcee for the evening.

“I am constantly amazed at the depth of talent we have right here at home,” he said during the program.

“I love these concerts,” said Summerton resident Carol Myers. “It’s about the best thing I have on my calendar. I can’t wait until the next one!”

Habitat is currently building its 18th house in Clarendon County, the second home in the Marie Land Habitat Village in Manning.

The 19th home will be constructed in Turbeville, the first such endeavor in that town.

Thanks to a generous donation of land by Judge and Mrs. Wright Turbeville, Habitat plans to build three homes there, according to Dowell.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity, email habitat@clarendoncounty.com.