By Melissa Robinson
Contributing Editor 

  The Henry County Fuller Center celebrated a kickoff rally at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in McDonough, where representatives from various churches, community leaders and others rallied to show their support for the Fuller Center and what will be one of the biggest builds the southside has ever seen.

HC Fuller Center’s Don Dunlap, Shane Persaud and Beau Kelley address the crowd at the Legacy Build rally held at Wesley Chapel UMC last week. Photo by Melissa Robinson

  McDonough has been chosen to host the fourth annual Millard Fuller Legacy Build, which will be held from September 9 to 14 and is expected to see nearly a thousand volunteers converge on Henry County for a build blitz that will tackle seven major projects, including a “green” house, complete with solar panels and other eco-friendly features.

  The Millard Fuller Legacy Build was named in memory of Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center for Housing. It’s an annual, internationally recognized week of building that brings attention to the need for decent and affordable housing.

  It was in 2009 that the McDonough Project was started by Mark Galey and Shane Persaud, as an organization under the Atlanta Fuller Center. This past year, Henry County became its own covenant partner of the Fuller Center, appropriately named Henry County Fuller Center for Housing, Inc.

  According to Beau Kelley, vice president of the organization, the Henry County Fuller Center was chosen as the site of this year’s Legacy Build in part because of the outstanding leadership and volunteers in the community, as well as the impressive number of projects that have been completed in just a few years.

  “We have finished 30 projects since 2009. We’ve accomplished so much in such a short time,” he said.

  Kelley said what makes the Fuller Center different from Habitat for Humanity is that the Fuller Center doesn’t generally build houses from the ground up, but instead, renovates and repairs existing homes for those in need. Those repairs include everything from replacing a roof to renovating a kitchen or replacing floors or building handicapped ramps.

  Several homeowners who have been helped by the Henry County Fuller Center attended the rally and said they were touched by the outpouring of help they received.

  “I was really surprised when I was offered this opportunity. Words cannot describe what I was given from people I never knew and would never see again,” said Lillie Miller, who was one of the first recipients to receive help from the McDonough Project.

  John and Holly Quinn, who were helped with the renovation of a bathroom, including replacing a damaged floor and ADA compliant fixtures and wheelchair ramp, expressed their gratitude to the volunteers and the organization.

  Officials said that they need to raise $150,000 to be able to complete the seven major projects and several smaller projects during the five-day build. There are several fundraisers planned beginning with a 5k run on March 7 at Windy Hill Park in McDonough. Sponsorships are still available and those interested should contact treasurer Don Dunlap at treasurer@hcfullercenter.org.

  Kelley said that they are open to suggestions for fundraising and urge any groups who are looking for a cause or project, to consider the Henry County Fuller Center as recipient. He said that while many churches send members overseas or out of state for mission work this is great mission work right here in Henry County.

  “We need to raise a lot of money and it’s not going to be easy, but it’s absolutely possible,” said Kelley.

  For Kelley, being a part of the Henry County Fuller Center is more than just renovating a house or performing a service project.

  “For me, this is not only about renovating a house. We are building a community. This is a community that has been good to me and I have roots here. But people in our own backyard are hurting and people are proud. So it’s about not having to be asked, but to reach out and do what you can for your neighbor,” said Kelley.

  The Fuller Center for Housing is a faith-based, Christ-centered non-profit organization helping provide adequate shelter for people in need. Applications are taken on an ongoing basis. To apply for help, for more information or to learn how to volunteer or donate, visit www.hcfullercenter.org, find them on Facebook for the latest updated information or call 678-551-0800.