By Jeff Evans
The Island News
After more than three years of construction and waiting, HELP of Beaufort held a private ribbon cutting Friday, Aug. 15 to say, “Thank you” to its volunteers and donors for making the organization’s dream of a new building a reality
The building was a community partnership build – 100 percent of the labor and fiances that contributed to the building of the structure were donated by members of the community.
“The construction has taken four years, and it’s good to finally have it done. We’ll now be open for the community,” HELP of Beaufort Executive Director Lori Opozda said. “Two buildings ago we were down on Ribaut [Road] and it worked out really well for us. We got a lot of volunteers, we got a lot of donations, so it seemed to be a good fit. And then when we had to move over to Charles Street.
“We ended up buying this property because Ribaut was such a good location for us. It gives us a lot more visibility and it’s a more centralized location for everybody. For people who live in the Burton area, Beaufort, St. Helena. It’s right in the middle so it works out well.
“I’ve been with HELP 10 years now [since] back when we were located on Ice House Road off Hwy. 17. And we had to move about every two years, which was costly and disruptive because you had to shut everything down to move again.
“Now we have a permanent location with no mortgage. Everything was donated for either goods or services. This gives us the ability to concentrate on our core mission, which is our clients. Being able to start up new programs and expanding the ones we have. When you’re moving all the time you don’t have an opportunity to do that.”
The doors to the new facility officially opened for business on Monday, Aug. 18.
Jeff Evans is the Publisher of The Island News and Lowcountry Weekly.
