Edisto Island Community Raises Over $68,000 to Provide a New Home for Elderly Widow on Edisto Island, SC.
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11 a.m., the Edisto Seniors hosted the “Homecoming for Ruthie Mae Robinson” at her new homesite, located on Edisto Island. This celebration marks the culmination of a heartfelt community effort that began on November 28, 2023, and successfully raised over $68,000 to provide Ruthie Mae with a brand-new mobile home from Palmetto Homes in Beaufort, SC.
Ruthie Mae Robinson, a 76-year-old widow, had lived in a deteriorating mobile home for more than four decades after the tragic drowning of her husband in 1983. As her home became increasingly unsafe and beyond repair, her friends at the Edisto Senior Center stepped in. They launched a community-wide campaign, gathering donations from island residents, local businesses, and churches. By the end of December 2023, $49,900 had been raised, thanks to an anonymous $10,000 gift, a generous contribution from Edisto Real Estate Company, owned by Marie Bost and Jerome Kizer, and numerous donations from individuals and churches. Continued fundraising through GoFundMe and a dedicated account at 1st Federal of South Carolina helped cover additional costs for delivery, setup, and a new HVAC system.
Though Ruthie Mae’s new home was purchased in February 2024, construction delays at Champion Homes pushed the delivery to August 25. Finally, on September 5, Ravenel Total Works, LLC, transported the home to Ruthie Mae’s property on Indigo Hill, where preparations began to connect utilities and ready the home for her long-awaited return.
In a final act of generosity, Brian Poteat, owner of 843 Roof, LLC, provided a significant donation of $5,000 to ensure the completion of the project. This vital contribution will be officially presented during the Homecoming celebration and played a crucial role in reaching the campaign’s goal. Poteat’s gift symbolizes the unwavering support of local businesses that have gone above and beyond to make Ruthie Mae’s new home a reality.
Edisto Seniors, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operates the Edisto Senior Center and is dedicated to helping seniors remain independent and healthy in their own homes for as long as possible.
