Pat Wirth

Watching the development of miracles and seeing people give to one another from the heart is something Pat Wirth sees all around her. Though many of us take some of the finer things in life for granted, others consider simply having a clean, safe place to live a great gift. Habitat for Humanity makes that possible, but not for just anyone. Owners of Habitat homes are a special type of people. They must work within a framework that is very carefully regulated. Part of Pat's job as the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity is to enforce these regulations with the compassion and heart that has made the project the wonderful worldwide effort that it is today.  Let's spend some time getting to know Pat Wirth. 

Pink:  How long have you lived in the Lowcountry and how long have you been with Habitat?
Pat: I have been with Habitat since 2001 and we have lived here since 1992. My husband and I have two daughters and a son and six wonderful grandchildren. As the wife of an Air Force pilot, we moved a lot and are grateful that we "landed" in Hilton Head 18 years ago.

Pink: What are your feelings about Habitat and how does that relate to your personal values?
Pat: Habitat for Humanity teaches that each person deserves a simple, decent place to live, and once a family has a home of its own, the cycle of poverty can be broken. Hopelessness is replaced with hope for the future. I particularly relate to the idea of a hand-up, not a handout. All people value what they work to obtain, regardless of their economic status.

Pink: What are your hopes for Habitat in the future?
Pat: Habitat has built over 375,000 homes around the world and that number grows as we speak. To date, in the Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and Ridgeland areas, we have built 90 homes. My hope is that all people will some day have a simple, safe place to lay their heads. On a personal level, Habitat has given me an opportunity to be a productive member of our local community doing something I love - working with people who never fail to amaze me with their dedication. The old saw is that you receive much more than you give. That is absolutely true of working with Habitat for Humanity, believe me.

Pink: This issue is about a Season of Giving and Miracles. I bet you have seen plenty of both.  Could you share some stories?
Pat: One very special story comes to mind. When we were planning to open our first re-sale store we needed a truck, and, of course, had no money to purchase one. We also could not find anyone interested in donating one. It seemed we would not be able to open the store. We were scheduled to meet at 2 p.m.[to nix the store], but that morning's mail held a letter announcing the arrival of a truck that was available for use by any local non-profit. We used it for several months to do our pick-ups, without which we never could have survived. After that, Charter One Real Estate gave us the money to buy our first truck, then later for a second. Both are still on the road every day picking up donations!

Another local story I like to tell is about a mom, dad, and three children who applied for and built a Habitat house. They were proud of what they had accomplished with sweat equity and workshops and all of the hours they had given. They decided the night they moved in to set some higher goals, and to make a long story short, they really did. Today, the mom works in a medical office and the dad has received many promotions. They could afford a bigger house, so instead of selling their Habitat house, they GAVE it back so that another family could have a place to live. I think that is pretty miraculous.

Giving is so much a part of Habitat. There is a man who has sent us $10 a month since 2001. Individual donors have given us enough to build an entire house. There are people who have given us land. We get donations on a daily basis of what I call "stuff". We give it to homeowners or resell it at our thrift shop, Restores. Others come to job sites day after day to help with construction. Many work as family supporters to help with sweat equity. Organizations are also a mainstay for us. Many groups come as part of service hours or a project and their time and skills are invaluable.

Volunteers give time to review applications or conduct workshops to help potential new owners. We would not survive without the kindness and giving hearts of so many caring people. 

Pink:  Pat, what a great job you have. What about you as a person?
Pat: I guess sometimes my job and I are intertwined, but I also enjoy antiquing and going to auctions. I love spending time with family and friends, especially grandchildren. I am also a pet lover. Our daughter Abby owns Tail-waggers, a dog bakery and boutique in Coligny and we have three shelter dogs that keep us laughing and busy.