Myrtle Beach Family to Benefit From SCE&G Sponsored Habitat for Humanity House

This week, about 100 of South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) and Ryland Homes employees will work side by side with Regina Bethea and her son Kwaje’ (17) of Myrtle Beach to build a new home through Habitat for Humanity. The house will be constructed at 940 Gray Street in Myrtle Beach Sept. 22-26 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, and a dedication ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. on Sept. 30.

“We are extremely proud to sponsor the building of this home for the Betheas,” said Donnie Watford, Coastal district manager for SCE&G’s Gas Operations. "Regina was approved for her Habitat house back in 2006. Since then, not only has she completed her 200 hours of sweat equity, required financial literacy classes and Habitat educational classes, but she has remained an active volunteer donating more than 50 hours in the building of other Habitat homes. We’re thrilled to be part of building her new home.”

The Betheas’ new home will be a labor of love providing the family with comforts not found in their 1975 mobile home. The mobile home’s floors are soft and unsafe, the bath tub sits on a rotten floor, the roof leaks, heat is provided by a kerosene heater, and the electric wiring is in poor condition, creating a fire hazard.

“This new home will provide the Betheas with a safe and comfortable living space,” said Watford. “Not only will the home have reliable natural gas heat provided by SCE&G, but the home will be completely modern – including a natural gas tankless water heater that was donated by Rinnai, the industry leader in tankless water heaters.”

SCE&G is providing 100 percent of the funding necessary for the Bethea’s new home, along with more than 100 volunteers. Ryland Homes is providing their structural expertise and an additional 20 volunteers. Rinnai donated the natural gas tankless hot water heater.

“Participating in this community event is just one of the ways SCE&G hopes to become active in the Myrtle Beach area as our natural gas business expands throughout the region,” explained Watford. “We believe in good corporate citizenship and doing what’s right. In fact, next month we’ll be working with another family to help weatherize their home as part of our annual weatherization campaign.”

SCE&G is a regulated public utility that provides natural gas service to approximately 303,000 customers in South Carolina. SCE&G also is engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 646,000 customers throughout the state. Information about SCE&G is available on the company’s web site at www.sceg.com.

Additional Facts about the Bethea Family
Regina has worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield for almost nine years. Additionally, since her approval for a Habitat for Humanity House, she has held a part-time job cleaning offices at night and on weekends to pay off her bills.

Regina is an active member of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. She has been president of the Usher Board, a member of the Missionary Society and a facilitator of “Children’s Corner.”

Kwaje’ graduated from Socastee High School on June 5, 2008 and has plans to attend Horry-Georgetown Technical College. With his love for writing songs and poetry, he is interested in pursuing a career in Fine Arts. Kwaje’ works at Key West Grill at Broadway at the Beach.