Pee Dee Men’s Transitional Shelter back in operation

By Dwight Dana
Morning News reporter
Published: August 7, 2008

The Pee Dee Men’s Transitional Shelter at 411 Jarrott St. is in operation again after a two-year hiatus caused by a fire.

The Rev. Dr. Mack T. Hines has been the shelter’s director for 20 years. He also is pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church in Mullins.

“We just want the community to know we are still operating and are back in our building,” Hines said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday morning. “Everything has been refurbished. We even have a commercial stove and a walk-in freezer.”

Hines said the shelter is the oldest and most comprehensive in the Pee Dee. Its goal is to provide support services to help its 16 residents become self-sufficient. Among the services offered are transportation, schooling and medical assistance.

Scotty Davis is the director of community services for the city of Florence.

“I think when the question goes out, ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ this shelter shows the answer is a resounding ‘yes,’” Davis said.

Davis said the ceremony was moved inside after the ribbon cutting because the heat was so intense. He said there are people “out there every day” who can’t come in to what his grandmother referred to as the “conditioned air.”

“I think we often become spoiled and forget about those who are less fortunate,” he said. “If the truth be told, but for the grace of God, we all could be in that situation in the blink of an eye.

“It is our job and our duty to help those less fortunate and, on behalf of the city, we offer our support. When this shelter takes somebody off the street to house, feed and clothe them, it benefits the city.”

Walter Fleming is executive director of the Pee Dee Community Action Agency. The shelter is under his organization’s auspices.

“A lot of people put in a lot of hours here,” he said. “People had to come together for this to happen.”

Among others, Fleming especially lauded Bradley Callicott of the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation and state Sen. Kent Williams of Marion. Both were present for Thursday’s event.

Williams, who spoke before Fleming, thanked all those who participated with financial, moral and spiritual support.

“I’m here because I know the need of this type service in the community,” he said.

The shelter was destroyed by an early-morning electrical fire July 5, 2006.