CHARLOTTE -- Three years of saving has finally paid off, as the Saint Stephen United Methodist Church presented four charities with more than $100,000 to help the organizations continue their missions of helping others.

For three years, the church has raised money to build a wing of the church. Ten percent of the costs for the new wing will help three charities. Habitat for Humanity will use the funds to build houses for low-income families. The Bethlehem Center of Charlotte will renovate an existing building and add a new location in east Charlotte. The Urban Ministry Center will help the homeless.

Each organization said it heavily relies on donations like these, so the connection from the church to the community is critical.

"A lot of their success they are getting through the support of the churches,” said William McDonald. “And so the communities and the churches are closely tied. And that's where our future lies in working closely together."

The church plans to start its next project, repairs to its own building, in November.