Emily Fernald began her AmeriCorps*VISTA service with Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity ReStore in August of 2010. Since then Emily has developed the ReStore’s “Books 2 Bricks” program. This program was established to partner with businesses, organizations and schools in our local community. The program collects gently used books to resell at the ReStore; these books might have otherwise been tossed in the trash. All proceeds collected from this program are used to fund the construction of Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity homes. Emily has created annual “Books 2 Bricks” partnerships with Blythewood Middle School, St. Neumann Church, and in the near future with the Lutheran community.

Emily established an annual April Earth Month event.  This event is held at the Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and is intended to bring GREEN awareness to the Midlands. Vendors invited ranged from those who make homemade soaps from goat’s milk and honey, to stuffed animals made from recycled wool, to Dust to Dust Funeral Home. Emily made partnerships with eight great, local vendors, artists, and different companies who promote being GREEN. They have all agreed to continue a partnership with Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  

Emily nominated the CSC Habitat ReStore for the Carolina Recycling Association’s (CRA) Outstanding Small Business Award.  This award category along with 12 others, received over 90 nominations from across North and South Carolina. The Outstanding Small Business Award is given to a business that has shown extensive efforts to promote recycling and green business practices, and has less than 10 employees.  Through Emily’s ability to showcase the ReStore’s commitment to those guidelines, the ReStore was honored at the CRA’s annual conference with the award.  Due to Emily’s efforts, the ReStore is also a 2011 recipient of the Department of Health and Environmental Control Earth Day Award; and through receiving these awards, the ReStore is also being recognized by the Green Business Council. 

Emily is committed to helping the ReStore raise GREEN awareness through events, partnerships, and community education. Through Emily’s hard work and dedication to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, she is being viewed for potential employment upon completion of her AmeriCorps service year.