Dear Habitat Supporter,
Welcome to the April edition of the Habitat Update!
The Habitat Update functions as a way to improve intra-organizational
communication, and will be sent once a month. If you have any
questions, please feel free to contact me!
As committee members, board members and other important volunteers,
it helps to know what is going on throughout the organization.
If you have information to send to others as part of the update,
or would like to make a suggestion in regard to the content or
style of the update, please contact me. If you prefer to have
a hard copy version sent to you or would not like to be included
on the list, please respond, stating your preference.
Take Care!
Mikaela
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APRIL 2005 UPDATE
CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH:
Willow Grove Naval Air Station, Upper Perkiomen
High School Contemporary Political Issues Class
GROUPS ON SITE: Perkasie
Mennonite Church, Blooming Glen Mennonite Church
GROUPS PROVIDING LUNCHES: Kutz
Elementary, Blooming Glen Mennonite Church
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ON
SITE…
We are thrilled to announce that we have broken
ground on Phase II! In mid-April, general contractors, Couzin’s
Excavating & Contracting, Inc., took to the heavy equipment
and began the work on the new site which will accommodate 36 additional
homes in Emerald Hollow. Crews began with tree protection and
silt fence and have begun to cut in the retention basin. Volunteers
have been taking advantage of the spring weather, installing a
split rail fence on the property. Permits for the first homes
have been filed, and we will soon be laying the foundation and
hammering nails for a 6-unit cluster.
Meanwhile, the site crew has been working hard to complete all
development punchlist items on Phase I. They have been grading
and seeding, repairing sidewalk and finalizing the Phase I basin
area. In addition the site crew has made interior and exterior
repairs to the farmhouse located on the Phase II property. The
house currently serves as home for our AmeriCorps staff and will
be sold off at the end of Phase II to help defray the cost of
the 36 homes being built. The repairs and maintenance of the farmhouse
will ensure that the building remains a valuable asset for the
future.
Finally, the site crew has been active in community service projects
in the Bucks County area, lending their expertise to assist our
neighbors in need. While we have made excellent use of the last
month, we are looking forward to welcoming our volunteers back
to site and beginning the foundations and framing of our first
Phase II homes.
IN PARTNERSHIP…
Habitat Bucks, The Non-violent Peace Force of
Bucks County and Interfaith Gathering of Lower Bucks County partnered
to host a dinner about a unique project, the Batticaloa Action
Team. The event was an informational dinner about starting a sister-community
relationship with the Batticaloa District of Sri Lanka which was
hit hard by December's tsunami and has been devastated through
an on-again and off-again civil war. The action team hopes to
provide immediate relief by financially supporting Habitat for
Humanity of Sri Lanka in their work to rebuild homes and by supporting
peace workers in their attempts to allow for open spaces where
conflicting sides can resolve their disputes by talking instead
of fighting.
Thank goodness for Ransome Rent, who donated use of a brand new
D3 Dozer on our worksite! The company has also agreed to provide
the donated use of a Bobcat. Construction Director Ray Luszcszak
says "Obviously, site preparation is a lot easier with a
Dozer. Imagine if our volunteers had to do this back-breaking
work. It would take three years, and we'd have some very unhappy
campers. Everyone appreciates it, because it means we can keep
our production up to speed. Thank you Ransome Rent!"
Support Habitat Bucks while getting your caffeine fix! Through
a partnership with Café Campesino, a fair trade coffee
company located in Americus, GA, you can now purchase Habitat
House Blend Fair Trade coffee. Soon, you will be able to purchase
the coffee online at our website, but in the mean time, stop in
to our New Britain office or the Doylestown Bookshop to pick up
a bag!
OUT + ABOUT…
Joe Morrison attended a weeklong fundraising school conducted
by Indiana University through a partnership with Habitat International.
The training earned Joe 3.2 continuing education credits, and
provided our affiliate with a wealth (no pun intended) of tools
and techniques to raise more money in the future. We're looking
forward to seeing some of these ideas put into practice, especially
as we enter into a new fiscal year. Kudos to Joe for completing
the course and continuing to learn new things.
Community Relations Manager, Dan O’Connor, attended MATRYX
(Ministering and Training with Resources for Youth Xcellence)
which a day-long conference for youth leaders in churches held
at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale on 2 April. Dan set-up
a table and offered Habitat Bucks as an outlet for church youth
groups’ service projects.
On Saturday, 2 April, partner family members Sherry and Jay Stiles
staffed a booth at the YMCA Healthy Kids Day in Quakertown. They
distributed information on Habitat, the upcoming Bargain Barn
Re-Sale and the Women Build.
Recent Birdhouse Blitz Builds
• Oxford Valley Elementary on4 April. We built 10 birdhouses
with 20 students from their student council. They auctioned the
birdhouses at a school event.
• The Fort Washington Elementary garden club partnered with
Habitat Bucks on a Birdhouse Blitz Build. On a beautiful spring
day, about 30 students and 7 parents and teachers build and painted
birdhouses on the school grounds to benefit Habitat Bucks. The
students plan to sell the birdhouses at their spring fait and
annual students vs. teachers basketball game.
• We held another Birdhouse Blitz Build at Walt Disney Elementary
in lower Bucks County. About 64 students worked hard and had fun
building 30 birdhouses. The students will tsell them to raise
funds to benefit Habitat Bucks.
• The youth group at New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ
built 20 birdhouses. The group displayed their birdhouses during
Sunday services the following day and then sold the birdhouses
after church. The group also voted on which one they liked the
best to sell at their Strawberry Festival coming up soon.
The Central Bucks Healthier Community Team hosted a Youth Summit
on 8 April at Lenape Middle School. The main focus of the event
was to empower the youth of Central Bucks to change their community
into something more positive. Habitat attended the event as an
adult facilitator during the students’ brainstorming sessions.
Some of the ideas that this group wants to work towards in the
future are starting a youth/recreation center that encompasses
fields that anyone can play on, an indoor facility and walking/bike
paths.
The Newcomers Club of Central Bucks and the Encores Club of Bucks
County invited Habitat Bucks to attend their yearly gala, held
in April at the Doylestown Country Club. This year, “Bet
Your Luck Stars” was the theme and Habitat is one of three
organizations to benefit from the evening’s donations. A
check presentation will take place during a luncheon hosted by
the women’s groups in the near future.
JOIN US…
The First Habitat Bucks Bargain Barn Re-Sale will be held on Friday,
20 May, and Saturday, 21 May at our red barn located in Milford
Square. Donations of items to be “re-sold” to raise
funds in support of our mission have been accumulating these past
few months. We continue to accept home-building and home improvement
donations (new/unused lumber carpeting, windows, doors, paint,
lighting and interior fixtures, tools, etc.) and new appliances.
The final drop off date is Saturday, 14 May. To arrange a drop-off
for your donated item or for more information, leave a message
at our office on extension 373. Keep an eye on our website for
a listing of the items to be sold at the re-sale.
Faith Youth Week, 11 – 17 July: Partner with youth groups
and Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County and put your faith into
action by supporting the work of Habitat for Humanity. Make new
friends and help build a stronger community by praying, enjoying
fellowship, landscaping the grounds of the Emerald Hollow Community,
building homes, preparing and sharing meals and raising money.
Come one day or for the whole week. Help to provide safe, simple,
affordable homes for all people. For more information, please
contact Dan O’Connor at extension 312 or d.oconnor@habitatbucks.org.
Enjoy the spring weather and have a great time at the Second
Annual Miniature Golf Tournament for Habitat for Humanity of Bucks
County. The event will take place at the Sylvan Golf Center in
Fountainville, beginning at 9:30am. Awards will be presented during
a complimentary lunch. This is a great group event for you and
your coworkers or family! To register or to sponsor a hole, contact
Eric Detweiler at 215.688.8867 or visit www.habitatbucks.org.
Submit entries now for the 16th Annual Holiday Card Design Contest!
Entries should reflect the spirit and mission of Habitat for Humanity,
and should not be representative of one specific holiday. The
winning image will be printed as a greeting card and sold in Bucks
County to benefit the important work of Habitat Bucks. For an
entry form and information, contact Sam at extension 310 or click
here, http://www.habitatbucks.org/holiday%20card%2005_flyer%20%2B%20entry%20form.pdf.
Habitat Bucks will be participating in Quakertown's Arts Alive!
event this year. We will have a booth at which general Habitat
information will be available and where House Pins, cards and
birdhouses will be for sale. We will also be promoting Habitat's
Annual Holiday Card Design Contest. If you're interested in volunteering
with us for the event, please contact Laura at 215.348.2204 x302;
l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org.
The 11th Annual Doylestown Tennis Tournament and finals picnic
to benefit Habitat for Humanity will be held on the Doylestown
Borough Courts on 11 – 12 June. Every player will receive
a shirt and courtside refreshments; awards and prizes include
a Bed + Breakfast raffle. This event is open to all who wish to
share in the fun! Register by 6 June (cost is $30 per individual,
$40 per doubles team) by calling Bob Campbell at the borough office,
215. 345.4140, or by clicking here, http://www.habitatbucks.org/tennis%20tournament%20registration.pdf.
GIVING THANKS…
Melissa Trainor, family program associate,
has completed her AmeriCorps*VISTA year of service. She will be
greatly missed by Habitat families and staff alike. We wish her
well in her new endeavors and thank her for her tremendous year
of hard work, dedication and compassion. Her time here was well
served in helping to restructure the expanding family program
department, and in keeping it running smoothly while Stefanie
took maternity leave this past fall. God bless you!
Univest National Bank and Trust Company recently made a generous
grant of $5,000 toward Habitat's important work. Our thanks to
Univest President & COO Leon Moyer, who was kind enough to
meet with Trish Kriger and Joe Morrison earlier in the year, and
respond to our request in such a meaningful way. Our partners
are key to our success! Thank you kindly.
The County of Bucks recently approved a Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) of $23,000 for Habitat Bucks. This money is
designated for pre-development costs for an unnamed future project.
Thanks go to Vitor Vicente, Bucks County Office of Community and
Business Development and the Bucks County Commissioners for their
faith in our work.
MAKING NOTE…
Our Family Selection Committee
is still reviewing applicants from the March Application Day.
However, we are still in need of Emerald Hollow Two (formerly
Tier Two) End Unit buyers. If you know of anyone who may be willing
and able to purchase an end unit through our program, please contact
Stefanie at s.clark@habitatbucks.org.
The Family Support Committee is planning a Habitat Family Outing
on Saturday, 20 August to the Franklin Institute. Details to come…
During a speech at the Young Republicans of Bucks County meeting
State Senator Piccola stated that he is active with the Harrisburg
area Habitat affiliate and wanted to personally endorse the work
we are doing.
A group of religious leaders in Central Bucks County decided
to hold an introductory meeting about forming an Interfaith Group
in the area. Dan O'Connor attended as a representative from a
Christian ministry. The group plans to come together to learn
about each others faith and to provide service for others through
events like CROP Walk and Martin Luther Kind Day of Service.
Do you have a will? Is Habitat named in it? Would you like us
to be? Three easy questions that could have a profound impact
on Habitat's future. Making a bequest is a simple process. For
more information, contact Joe Morrison at ext. 303; j.morrison@habitatbucks.org.
Building On Faith Week, 11 – 18 September: This weeklong
event is a true celebration of faith in action. Join and partner
with Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County and other congregations
as we express our faith through prayer, fellowship, advocacy of
Habitat’s mission, building homes, preparing and sharing
meals and raising money to help provide safe, simple, affordable
homes for those who need them. Come one day or for the whole week.
For more information, please contact Dan extension 312 or d.oconnor@habitatbucks.org.
WOMEN BUILDING A BETTER BUCKS…
Women Build continues to move forward by leaps and bounds –
so much so that is now has its own Habitat Update heading!
In addition to the fantastic training clinics being offered by
Quakertown Lowe’s, we are also happy to report that Warrington
Lowe’s is onboard. Beginning the first week in May, the
Warrington location on Rt. 611 will begin to host clinics as well.
Topics, dates and times are as follows:
How to Safely Use Hand and Power Tools: May 5 Thursday 7-8 PM
How to Frame for Walls and Roofs: May 12 Thursday 7-8 PM
How to Install Insulation and Drywall: May 19 Thursday 7-8 PM
How to Finish Interior with Paint and Trim: May 26 Thursday 7-8
PM
To register, please contact Betsy Nickel of the Training Team
at betsynickel@verizon.net. Space is limited, but the clinics
will be offered again at this location if there is sufficient
interest. The dates for the next set of clinics at Quakertown
Lowe’s (June) will be released shortly. So far, the Q-town
clinics have been receiving rave reviews!
We are currently approaching potential Women Build sponsors.
If you are a member of a business or organization that might be
interested, or if you have suggestions for appropriate groups
to contact, please get in touch with Kelly at 215.348.2204 ext.
305, k.hile@habitatbucks.org.
Women Build planning teams are meeting regularly. If you have
been meaning to get involved but have not done so yet, there is
still time! Send the leader of the team you are interested an
email and learn how you can help.
The Fundraising Team coordinates and implements a campaign to
raise the funds for one house sponsorship.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 4th, 7:30pm, Doylestown Public Library
Contact: Christy Zabrodski, Christina.zabrodski@libertymutual.com
or Kelly Smola, eirojram@netcarrier.com.
The Training Team will arrange for construction skills and crew
leader training classes for Women Build participants. They will
coordinate with other teams to publicize training opportunities
and schedule participants.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 10th, 7pm, Neshaminy Warwick Presbyterian
Church
Contact: Linda Andrews, landrews@bucksmontnari.org.
The Volunteer Team ensures that participating volunteers have
a quality experience. They help to determine appropriate partner
groups to target, strategies by which to reach out to them, and
contact groups. This team also works to involve girls in the event.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 11th, 7pm, Neshaminy Warwick Presbyterian
Church
Contact: Margie Horton mmhortonpa@comcast.net or Christine Turturro,
mcturturro@mindspring.com.
The Activities Team enhances the Women Build event by organizing
an orientation, opening and closing ceremonies, and daily morning
speakers.
Next Meeting: Thursday, May 19th, 6:30pm, New Britain Habitat
Office
Contact: Laura McClellan, l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org.
The Food Service Team recruits individuals and groups to provide
breakfast and lunch during the build week as well as refreshments
or meals for specials events.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 24th, 6:45pm
Contact: Janet Pagenkemper, janfran@erols.com.
The Public Relations Team enhances Habitat’s image while
educating the community about the plight of women and children
in poverty, the goals of Women Build and the mission of Habitat
Bucks.
Next Meeting: Thursday, May 26th, 7pm, Doylestown Borough Hall
Contact: Lauren Kirk, laurenkirk2004@yahoo.com.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mikaela D. Martin
Marketing + Public Relations
Director
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County
new address:
215 Matthews Avenue
New Britain, PA 18901
215.348.2204 x306
fax: 215.348.7988
It is the mission of Habitat for Humanity
of Bucks County to build affordable homes, better lives stronger
families and safer communities through partnerships with people
and organizations throughout Bucks County. |
