Home for the Holidays
By Saundra Hathaway
Home, friends, family, a sense of community and of belonging to a place and people. The loss of
any of those things is tragic. To lose all is profound. Sometimes, it happens instantly. It did for Quincy and Terrance Armstrong when their family home burned at 105 MamaLou Lane in Harrington, a subdivision on St. Simons Island in the early hours of February 2, 2014.
For many within Harrington, the loss of homes, land, family and friends has been gradual. The largest of three African American settlements established during Reconstruction on St. Simons Island, Harrington’s character has forever changed through development.
Generations of Quincy’s family have lived in the Harrington community. MamaLou Lane is named after his grandmother, Lucinda, affectionately known by people in the neighborhood as Mama Lou. She passed the home to Quincy and Terrance’s mother Lucinda. Following the fire, Quincy did not know if he would be able to return to the place that he called home. Habitat for Humanity of Glynn County was able to step in and help, partnering with Armstrong descendants to enable them to stay in Harrington.
Many people have come to know Quincy from his friendly smile and kind words and deeds he shares while working at Winn Dixie on St. Simons Island. This is how Reverend Bob Brearley of St. Simons Presbyterian Church (SSPC) and Mark and Lucinda Gordon became acquaintances and then friends with Quincy.
Rev. Bob Brearley, Quincy Armstrong, Bert Brown
Hearing of the fire, Reverend Brearley and the Gordons converged on Winn Dixie looking for word of Quincy and his family’s safety. As the three concerned friends searched, they quickly realized that this man from his strong background of faith had touched all their lives.
Reverend Brearley approached the leaders and congregation at SSPC to ask God’s blessing to help rebuild the Armstrong home. The Church pledged service as the partner organization providing financial and volunteer support.
Mark and Lucinda Gordon agreed to serve as Good Shepherds, special volunteers that support partner families helping guide them through the process. Quincy says the aptly named Lucinda Gordon is his “angel on earth.”
Quincy with Mark & Lucinda Gordon
“When we worked on finances and how to make payments for the mortgage if Quincy’s income became limited,” shared Mark Gordon, “and I expressed concern, Quincy put his hand on my shoulder and said, ‘it will be alright, I ask for your prayers and say unto you Lord strike me yet I trust Him.’”
Habitat organizers broke ground on September 25, 2015 on the same lot on MamaLou Lane. Home completion is expected around mid-December, just in time for Quincy and his brother Terrance to return home for the holidays.
Jim and Kathy Brown at work
“As of today,” explains Bert Brown, Habitat’s Executive Director “Habitat has built 77 safe, decent, affordable homes in Glynn County. We are committed to transitioning families from substandard, overcrowded or unsafe housing to safe, decent, affordable homes and breaking the cycle of generational poverty housing.”
“Our Partner Families want the same things typical to most families,” shares local Habitat President Jeff Shell. “They are good, hard working folks trying to take care of their families. Each family must work on their own home to build sweat equity and must demonstrate a capacity to repay an interest-free, long-term mortgage. I am impressed with their accountability, growth, and hard work. Each family Habitat works to impact generational change, helping families develop a financial asset that can pass on to their children.”
Before moving to the Golden Isles, the Gordons donated funding to Habitat International in New Jersey. “While it’s important to donate financially,” they explain, “when you work with the family, you feel their pride. They see strangers coming together to help build their home with their time, talents and financial support.” Quincy says he is “touched by the amount of people who are helping.”
“Habitat for Humanity’s ministry reminds me of that great American tradition of ‘barn raising,’ neighbors making time to construct a building for neighbors in need,” says Reverend Brearley. “Our culture has almost forgotten the art of being a neighbor, but Habitat has never forgotten the good that we can do for one another. We meet our neighbors; we help our neighbors, and lives are changed. Their lives, and our lives.”
Editor's Note: This assistance and outpouring of goodwill is exactly what the Christmas season is all about, and is a beautiful reflection of the true spirit of giving. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity and St. Simons Presbyterian Church, Quincy and Terrance Armstrong will be able to experience the joy of being home at Harrington for the holidays. Who needs the elves at the North Pole when there are wonderful volunteers like the ones here? Nothing on Santa’s sleigh could be a more-welcome gift than the warmth and support of a loving community.
The Armstrong Home at 105 Mamalou Lane will be dedicated on Sunday, December 20 at 2:00 p.m. The community is invited to attend and celebrate Quincy and Terrance's homecoming.