SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- R.L. Jordan Oil Co., which operates 54 Hot Spot stores in North and South Carolina, is focusing on charity this holiday season. The Spartanburg, S.C.-based company donated $65,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg to cover the building costs of one new Habitat home and to provide at least one local family in need a clean, affordable place to live, according to a report on GoUpstate.com.
Tom Webster, director of Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg, said the R.L. Jordan home will be built next year.
"We like the fact that it's not just a 'hands [image-nocss] out' program; it's a 'hands up' program," said Wilton Jordan, whose father, R.L. Jordan, founded the company in 1950. "We have a downtown store on East Henry Street, and some of the same people who shop with us will be helped. We're handing back our profits to the community."
Jordan said this is the sixth time his company has sponsored a Habitat home in eight years.
R.L. Jordan started the company's relationship with Habitat before his death in 2006 by donating money for the first four homes. Ownership of the company then passed to his family, who continue the philanthropic efforts with Habitat.
"There's a lot of bad news out there, with the economy in the state that it's in," Webster said. "Here's a company that is trying to make things better and help someone else weather the storm. (Wilton Jordan) has been a member of our board for some time and the family has been very supportive. We're fortunate to have so many wonderful organizations in the area willing to help."
Since its inception in 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg has built about 84 homes in the area. Each home has a 20-year, interest-free mortgage. Families who are chosen to live in the homes based on their level of need pay about $350 per month on the loan.
"We're hoping that by helping people into affordable housing it will have a multi-generational effect on Spartanburg," Jordan said. "Homes provide stability, security and shelter. Most of these families have kids, and this will help them get off to a great start in life."
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