Habitat for Humanity, Covington County

02/20/2026

We are looking for board and committee members. If you could not attend Thursday's meeting, but are interested in working on family selection, in a leadership role, fundraising, family support, site selection, or building, please private message your name and contact information to the Habitat for Humanity, Covington County page.

02/04/2026

Habitat for Humanity has proudly served our community for many years, and has recently completed its 10th home.

But the organization has reached a point at which it needs new volunteers to sustain this good work. There are all kinds of ways you can help, even if building is not your thing. If you are interested, plan now to attend this informational meeting on Thursday, Feb. 19. There is a sign-up link in the comments.

12/19/2025

SHE'S HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Habitat hands over keys for 10th house in Covington County

After more than a year of work, Covington County Habitat for Humanity volunteers on Dec. 6 handed the keys to a brand-new Mock Street house to Clarice Benson and her children, Charlie and Dianna.

Benson, who has worked with Head Start for 10 years, told those gathered for the blessing of her new home that the first thing she planned to once the furniture was moved in was to have a sit-down meal at the new-to-her dining table donated for the home.

“We didn’t have a place like this we could eat together,” she said. “I look forward to that.”

Habitat started Benson’s home in October of 2024, Habitat for Humanity of Covington County chairman Dale Pancake said. With the help of the LBW baseball team and a crew from Wyatt Sasser Construction, all of whom were joined by Habitat volunteers, the walls and trusses, roof decking and felt, and exterior insulation board all went up the first weekend. A total of 75 volunteers worked that weekend.

There have been many hands involved since then, and the home has even served as a lab of sorts for LBW construction students of Andrew Meadows.

Benson’s Habitat journey began about two years ago, she said, when someone placed a Habitat flyer announcing a meeting for potential families on the door of her workplace, Head Start.

“One of my co-workers pointed it out, and said, ‘Make sure you go.’ ”

Benson said she thought she’d probably never be chosen for a home, but Habitat volunteers said they immediately knew she was a great candidate for their program.

Benson, who is the mom of two special needs children, said at the dedication that she doesn’t worry.

“God gave me these children, and he’s going to help me take care of them,” she said.

Evangelist Shirley Robertson prayed a blessing over the house and all who worked on it.

“We thank you, Lord, for being a waymaker … for making a way when there seems to be no way,” Robertson prayed. “Bless this family as a whole. Bless the coming in and the going out. Lord, keep the angels encamped around. Top to bottom, wall to wall, corner to corner.

“Bless the ones that worked on it, Lord … .from the crown of their heads, to the soles of their feet, Lord bless them.”

Benson said she is especially grateful for an accommodation made to the house just for her daughter, who had fallen down the steps in their previous home. At her request, Habitat added a ramp for her house in hopes of preventing falls.

Like all Habitat housing recipients, Benson had to complete a financial literacy test, prove that she could cover a modest mortgage, and put 300 hours of sweat equity into Habitat projects before her build began. Her family, especially her brother and brother-in-law, helped her with the hours goal, as did her sisters, Head Start co-workers, and her daughter’s teacher.

Her smile was warm and welcoming for all who came to congratulate her on her new home in early December.

Now that the home is completed, Benson, like other Habitat families, will make a monthly mortgage payment to Habitat, and those payments are rolled back into Habitat’s fund for the next build. Benson’s home is the 10th one constructed for Habitat families in Covington County.

Those willing to provide financial support can send contributions to Covington County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1034, Andalusia, AL 36420. Habitat also is seeking people to join its board of directors.

For additional information, contact Pancake at 334.504.4287.

09/19/2025

Almost a year after we started, we are preparing to lay sod and do landscaping at our newest Habitat house. Come and help us move and level dirt Saturday morning.

01/10/2025

It may be cold outside, but it'll be warm inside AND helping build out a Habitat house will warm your heart. We'll be working from 9 a.m. until on Saturday. Y'all come!

01/02/2025

Got some time off this week? WE could use some help. Call Dale at 504-4287.

12/31/2024

“I think every human being has within himself or herself a desire to reach out to others and to share some of our blessings with those who are in need,” President Carter has said. “What’s opened up that avenue for me and my wife and hundreds and thousands of others is Habitat for Humanity. It makes it easy for us to reach out and work side by side with the homeowner who’s never had a decent house, perhaps. I haven’t been on a Habitat project that I wasn’t thrilled and inspired and wept.”

RIP, President Carter.

If you would like to become a Habitat volunteer, we could use your help finishing a house for a deserving family.

Habitat for Humanity joins the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. A champion for affordable and decent housing, he and Rosalynn Carter donated their time and leadership each year to build and improve homes with Habitat around the world.

12/31/2024

10/25/2024

Work will continue on this new Habitat for Humanity home on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. until. Lunch will be provided, and individual volunteers are needed. 421 Mock Street in Andalusia.

10/25/2024

HABITAT BUILD UNDER WAY

If Clarice Benson looks extra happy in this photograph, it’s because she spent Friday on site of the Habitat for Humanity build of a brand-new house for her and her family.

Benson’s Habitat journey began about a year ago, she said, when someone placed a Habitat flyer announcing a meeting for potential families on the door of her workplace, Head Start.

“One of my co-workers pointed it out to Benson, and said, ‘Make sure you go.’ ”

Benson said she thought she’d probably never be chosen for a home, but Habitat volunteers disagreed.

“From the time we first met her, we knew she was a great candidate,” board member Nancy Robbins said.

“It was a surprise, but it’s a blessing,” Benson said.

Benson, whose worked with Head Start for nine years, said she’ll be moving into the house with her son, Charlie, 17, and Dianna, 20. She’s especially thankful for the home because Dianna has special needs.

“She’s fallen down the steps where we live now,” Benson said.

While Habitat for Humanity of Covington County builds basic homes, some modifications were made with Dianna in mind, local chapter chairman Dale Pancake recently told board members.

After the initial selection, like all Habitat housing recipients, Benson had to complete a financial literacy test, prove that she could cover a modest mortgage, and put 300 hours of sweat equity into Habitat projects. Her family, especially her brother and brother-in-law, have been helping her with the hours goal by keeping to grass cut on property Habitat owns for future builds. Her Head Start co-workers, and her daughter’s teacher also plan to spend time helping her meet that goal.

Wyatt Sasser Construction is leading the project for Habitat, and members of the LBW Baseball team were on hand to help with the heavy lifting on Friday. LBW instructor Andrew Meadows, who is leading a new construction program at LBW, also was on hand. His students will use the project as a lab as the construction process continues.

As Benson watched volunteers began to frame of the house that will become a home, her smile was large and sincere.

“I love it,” she said.

The Habitat for Humanity of Covington County will continue work on the Benson home at 421 Mock Street on Saturday. Work begins at 8 a.m., and lunch is provided. Pancake said with exterior walls and trusses in place, there is much more than individuals can help do.

For additional information, contact Pancake at 334.504.4287.

Those willing to provide financial support can send contributions to Covington County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1034, Andalusia, AL 36420.

10/25/2024

LBW baseball players were among those on hand this week for the early phases of constructing the latest Habitat House. Covington County’s Habitat for Humanity will begin construction of its 10th house this weekend, and help is needed. The Building Blitz began at 9 a.m. on Wed., Oct. 23, when Habit...