The partnership works toward eliminating substandard housing in Moore County and is a subsidiary of the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity.

The partnership relies on the work of volunteers, mostly from local churches, and the donations of local organizations such as First Bank to renovate low-income houses. The group usually has three to four projects in the works at any given time throughout the year.

“We aren’t talking about just cosmetic work,” said Mike McMillan, treasurer of the partnership and manager of the Southern Pines First Bank branch. “We get in there and go for the hard stuff like reshingling roofs, reconstructing floors, putting in new septic tanks and sometimes even reinforcing the framework of the house.”

First Bank’s Southern Pines branch helped start the Moore Housing Partnership in November 2002 by donating $2,500 to deliver and pay for housing materials. Since then, the bank has continued to support the project by donating volunteer time and money to the organization.

The Moore Housing Partnership is not First Bank’s only experience with “building” the community.

Last February, 12 local branch managers got together and built the framework of a house for a family in need. Working together on bank time, the managers finished the project in just one day.

Free Seminar

Key Mortgage will be hold a free seminar for first-time home buyers Tuesday, July 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. at 780 NW Broad Street, Suite 600, in Southern Pines.

Those who call first to register will receive a free, confidential credit analysis.

“By the end of the seminar, people will know whether they can qualify for a home mortgage, and if so, for how much,” said Pam Gantt of Key Mortgage. “We will also explain the steps in obtaining mortgage financing and help the client understand the benefits of home ownership.”