June 18, 2025

The Briggs-Delaine-Pearson Foundation and Classic Remodeling Collaborate on New Education Center

Last weekend, the Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Foundation unveiled its new Education Center in Summerton, South Carolina—a significant milestone for Clarendon County and a testament to decades of dedication and perseverance. At Classic Remodeling, we’re proud to be part of this transformative journey, supporting a mission that aligns with our values of community development and empowerment.

Classic’s Passion Project

This project, in particular, is something our founder and president, Bob Fleming, is deeply passionate about, and he sought to contribute in any way he could. 

As a result, our team completed the design and upfit the new center completely pro bono as a way of giving back to such an important cause and contributing to its future. Our team now proudly serves as a partner of the Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Foundation, and we are eager to support its vital mission. 

Fleming tapped Matt Grayson, Classic’s Vice President, to lead the project. Grayson now sits on the board of directors. Fleming says, “The BDP project encompasses what we believe in, which is empowerment and cultivation of South Carolina’s young people through community participation and leadership. A project that carries such national historic significance was an easy ‘yes’ for us.” 

After years of operating from modest settings—a borrowed house and a single-wide trailer—the foundation’s new 4,000-square-foot facility is a monumental step forward. Located conveniently near Dr. Rose H. Wilder Elementary and the historic Scott’s Branch High School, the center is strategically placed to continue its impactful work in the heart of Summerton.

Three Decades of Charity and Community

At Classic Remodeling, we are deeply committed to giving back to our community. Since first opening our doors, Fleming has worked tirelessly to stay plugged into the community and participate in various charitable initiatives, projects and other community events. Over the course of three decades, the Classic Remodeling team has participated in initiatives like the 30 For 30 Charitable Campaign, a food donation campaign for the Lowcountry Food Bank, and a Race for the Cure. 

We believe giving to others and supporting our community is just as important to the core of who we are as designing and building. 

About the Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Foundation

The Briggs-DeLaine-Pearson Foundation has long been a beacon of hope and progress in Clarendon County. For years, the nonprofit has been committed to offering after-school mentoring, homework assistance, counseling, vocational opportunities and nutritious meals to local children. But beyond these essential services, the foundation provides an education rich with local history, reminding students of their community’s pivotal role in the fight for educational equality.

The foundation’s roots trace back to the 1940s when Rev. Joseph A. DeLaine, then principal of Scott’s Branch High School, recognized glaring inequities in the segregated education system. With inadequate resources and facilities, Rev. DeLaine and local parents, including Levi Pearson and Harry and Eliza Briggs, initiated a movement culminating in the historic Briggs v. Elliott case. This case laid the groundwork for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision handed down by the Supreme Court, which ultimately desegregated schools across the United States.

Help Support A Brighter Future

The opening of the new Education Center is not just a local victory; it signals a renewed commitment to improving the entire “Corridor of Shame,” a strip of poor, rural areas in the Lowcountry that runs along Interstate 95 that have been neglected by lacking the tax base to adequately fund and support their schools.  By fostering critical-thinking skills, the foundation aims to equip students with the tools they need to excel academically and socially. 

While the new center is a significant achievement, sustaining operations requires ongoing community support. In addition to grants and monetary donations, the center is also looking for volunteers to help mentor students and fulfill other roles. 

To learn how you can help the foundation, please visit briggsdelainepearsonfoundation.org.

Together, let’s continue to support and celebrate the efforts of those who are dedicated to changing lives and honoring a legacy that has already changed the world.Ready to make your home inspiration a reality with our 30 years of superior performance, craftsmanship, and service? Contact us today!