Habitat, ministry rebuild home

WHITEVILLE — An outpouring of community support is giving a Whiteville couple the chance to start over.

Several local organizations have vowed to work round the clock until a decaying house is just like new.

Columbus County Habitat for Humanity and Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, or WARM, are rebuilding the home of Leonzia and Mary Ford.

Ford has been in the Whiteville house for 40 years and doesn’t have the money for repairs. His grandson says he’s sought help for years, and these organizations finally came through.

WARM donated $3,000 to the project. Volunteers battled the midday sun but say seeing the look on the faces of those they help make it worthwhile.