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Dear Habitat Supporter,
Welcome to the September 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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SEPTEMBER 2005 UPDATE
CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEER OF
THE MONTH: Gene Feeley
GROUPS ON SITE: Doylestown
United Methodist Church, Doylestown Presbyterian Church, Finland
Mennonite Church, Episcopal Hammers, Thompson Memorial Presbyterian
Church, Bergey’s, Simple Technologies, Neumann College,
Kintnersville Crew
GROUPS PROVIDING LUNCHES: Ridge
Valley United Church of Christ, New Goshenhoppen United Church
of Christ, Applebee’s, St. Cyril of Jerusalem Roman Catholic
Church, Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, 1st Savings Bank of Perkasie
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS LOGGED
AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE: 68,847
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS AT HABITAT
BUCKS IN 2005: 626
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WELCOMING…
Simon and Mary Ngorimo of Bristol, with children, Joel and Juliet,
have recently been accepted for the EH1 model of home in Phase
II, as has Jeannie Horst of Bedminster. These two families will
be joining several other families in beginning their sweat equity
hours this month. Welcome!
The Family Support Committee recently welcomed the following
folks to its ranks: Shane Schlosberg, Marianne Harms, Melody Sajeski
and Gena McCleary, who is also a Habitat Bucks board member. The
committee is undergoing an electrifying revitalization led by
chairperson, Stacey Saul, and promises to be exciting and challenging
(in only good ways!) for the whole team. New members are gladly
welcomed! Contact Stefanie at s.clark@habtiatbucks.org;
215.348.2204 x307.
ON SITE...
Infrastructure continues to progress. Sewer is
now complete and water systems are now going in. Utilities will
be underground very shortly.
Cluster 14: Siding is nearly complete; rough-in mechanicals are
complete in five units and final electric in the sixth unit will
be done any day; four units are in various stages of insulation
and drywall; one unit is rocked and awaiting drywall finishing;
decks, paint and trim will be the focus in October.
Cluster 15: Foundation is complete; rough-in plumbing is nearly
complete for the six-unit cluster; slabs are complete in 2 units
and slab preparation is nearly complete in 3 additional units;
decking will begin in the second week of October in preparation
for framing during Women Build.
Phase Two Progress
Cluster 14: Rough framing is 90% complete, roofing is under way,
HVAC rough-in complete in three units, plumbing rough-in complete
in four units, electrical rough-in and windows and doors have
started and siding will begin this week!
Cluster 15: F ootings are complete and foundations are underway.
Site work: Ssanitary sewer is 60% complete and storm sewer in
75 % complete.
OUT + ABOUT…
Habitat Bucks celebrated Building on Faith Week
in partnership with Habitat affiliates around the world 12 –
17 September. The week peacefully started with a candlelight prayer
vigil led by Pastor Bernard Kelly of St. John’s Lutheran
Church in Richlandtown. Throughout the week different faith groups
volunteered to help build homes, provide lunches and donate financial
contributions to help continue the building at the Emerald Hollow
community. All involved were strengthened by morning prayers and
devotions and the bountiful lunches. After a tough, hot week of
building, a picnic was held to celebrate the progress accomplished
during the week!
Lunch and water sponsors: Ridge Valley United Church of Christ,
New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ, Applebee’s of
Quakertown, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Church’s Genesis Youth
Group, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ and Blooming Glen
Mennonite Church
Volunteering churches: Zion Lutheran, Christ’s Evangelical
Lutheran, St. Paul’s Lutheran, Thompson Memorial Presbyterian,
Doylestown United Methodist, Doylestown Presbyterian, Finland
Mennonite and Episcopal Hammers.
Related articles:
Outlook Magazine, September (http://www.lbccc.org/outlksept05.pdf)
Morning Call, Out There section with photo, Thursday 22 September
Community Relations Manager, Dan, visited St. Cyril’s
Genesis Team in Jamison to speak about Habitat and run a Birdhouse
Blitz Build for the nearly 100 youth. In preparation for the build,
the school’s social hall and parking lots were decorated
with yellow caution tape and pieces of wood to portray the construction
zone feel and all involved were provided with a plastic yellow
hard hat. The group, who also provided lunches during Building
on Faith, will sell the birdhouses around the holidays and use
the proceeds to buy trees and shrubs so they can plant them in
the spring at Emerald Hollow. For more information about the Birdhouse
Blitz Build program, contact Dan at d.oconnor@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x312.
Related articles:
The Intelligencer, Back Fences section with full-color photo spread,
Friday 7 October
Dan also spoke to the 7th grade class of Neshaminy Middle School
about Habitat Bucks. The students must choose a service project
with a local social agency; they’ve contacted several in
the area to come and speak about their programs. After they’ve
heard from all the organizations, they will choose a service project.
GIVING THANKS…
The Family Support Committee Workshop held on
Saturday, 24 September at Christ Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville,
was a rousing success. Partner families learned the ins and outs
of the Emerald Hollow Homeowners’ Association from Neil
Hilkert of Affiance Property Management. (The feng shui presentation
of the September workshop was postponed until later in the fall).
Thanks to Christ Lutheran Church for the use of their beautiful
church and to all the babysitters who kept the kids laughing!
Pat Houston of GE Infrastructure recently presented a check in
the amount of $1,800 to Habitat Bucks as a result of their Day
Sponsorship. The workday went so well that they have decided to
schedule two more dates in the near future. We welcome and appreciate
the on-going support of corporations like GE and others. It is
only through he efforts of so many that we can do so much!
MAKING NOTE…
Bucks County artist, Kristy Krajnenko,
is the winner of this year’s Holiday Card Design Contest!
Krajnenko will have her artwork featured on Habitat’s holiday
card to be sold via local merchants and at http://habitatbucks.org/shopProducts.asp.
This unique fundraiser is also Habitat’s longest-running,
at fifteen years. “I hope that through my art, I am able
to bring the necessary funds to aid in building dreams,”
said Krajnenko, whose entry was created especially for the benefit
of Habitat Bucks. Krajnenko is an art director and muralist by
trade, enjoys all mediums of art, “No surface is safe from
me!” and has had a passion for volunteering since childhood.
The cards are available now on our website and will become available
at local merchants throughout October (visit www.habitatbucks.org/shopProducts.asp
for a list of stores). The cards are sold in packages of ten for
$10 and all proceeds will help the efforts of Habitat for Humanity
of Bucks County.
Related articles:
Philadelphia Inquirer, Neighbors
section with photo, Sunday 2 October ( http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/12784434.htm)
Philadelphia Ad Club, News with photo, Wednesday 5 October (http://www.phillyadclub.com/news_article.php?id=110)
Volunteers are needed to assist with the sale of the /holiday
cards. Volunteers can sell the cards on our behalf at their own
business or contact other businesses to display the cards. Contact
Laura at l.mclellan@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x302 if you’re interesting in volunteering!
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Habitat has developed a quarterly
email youth newsletter titled Connections. Every issue of Connections
will update you on upcoming events, recent successes and the progress
of our building project. It will also inform you about our partner
families and youth who are positively impacting our community
through Habitat Bucks. Through Connections, we hope to build stronger
relationships with youth and consequently enable them to help
strengthen their community. The newsletter will be emailed four
times during the school year and will be written and designed
by students. To join the Connections staff or to receive the newsletter,
email Dan at d.oconnor@habitatbucks.org.
Get dirty! Get green! Students of all ages can participate in
Habitat’s GREENscaping (Gathering Resources to Establish
an Ecological Neighborhood) program. It’s easy to be a GREENscape-er:
Gather a group of students/friends/classmates who are excited
and ready for a challenge, raise money to adopt and purchase a
tree or shrub for a Habitat home, then put your landscaping skills
to the test and plant your tree or shrub. Contact Dan at d.oconnor@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x312 for more information.
JOIN US…
This year’s Hoedown will take place on Saturday, 5 November
at our red barn in Milford Square from 3 – 9pm. We appreciate
the support of Quakertown National Bank and First Savings Community
Foundation, who have both stepped up to the plate as the first
Hoedown Sponsors. The emphasis now is on auction items and vendors.
Items for the live auction (valued at $500 and above) are now
being accepted. Craft and other vendors are also being sought.
Tickets are now available online at http://www.habitatbucks.org/shopProducts.asp;
kids under 12 are free and tickets are only $25! For more information,
please contact Joe at j.morrison@habitatbucks.org or 215.348.2204
x303.
Related articles:
Out and About Magazine, Wednesday 22 + 29 September
This year we are pleased to announce that the First Annual Habitat
for Humanity of Bucks County Chili Cook-Off will be held in conjunction
with the Harvest Hoedown. The cook-off is open to all chefs novice
to expert and all proceeds will benefit Habitat Bucks. We invite
you to show off your cooking skills and to compete with others
for the best tasting chili! In addition to overall first, second
and third place winners, we will have booth winners and a People’s
Choice winner. The cook-off registration fee is $15; entry deadline
is 1 November. Please click http://habitatbucks.org/newsHoedown.asp
for an official entry form and rules. You may contact Joe at j.morrison@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x303 with any questions.
Make plans to visit Elizabethan Christmas’ Open House and
see the company’s old stone farmhouse located in Bedminster
on Saturday, 5 November and Sunday, 6 November. The rooms in the
farmhouse and cottage house will be photographed for the Winter
2006 issue of Bucks County Magazine and Elizabethan Christmas
products will be showcased, including classic Christmas stockings,
new pretty glass icicles and stained glass snowflakes. Come take
in the beauty of the holidays, nibble on a Christmas cookie, and
listen to live piano. All $5 ticket proceeds will benefit area
community agencies, including Habitat for Humanity, the Network
of Victim Assistance, and Child, Home and Community. A beautifully
decorated Christmas Dollhouse will be up for auction, with proceeds
from the highest bidder donated to Child, Home and Community of
Doylestown, PA. For more information, visit the Elizabethan Christmas
website at www.elizabethanchristmas.com.
Start training for the Third Annual Habitat for Humanity 5K!
The Quakertown Rotary Club and Quakertown United Methodist Church
are hosting the Third Annual Habitat for Humanity 5K Race at the
Quakertown United Methodist Church, 1875 Frier Road, on Saturday,
November 27. Details will follow! For sponsorship information,
email Bill (the race super-organizer!) at wtuszynski@comcast.net.
WOMEN BUILDING A BETTER BUCKS…
Fundraising Campaign
Funds rose to date: $49,894 | Goal $70.000 | Keep track of our
fundraising progress on the women build webpage (www.habitatbucks.org/womenbuild.asp)!
HBA/GMAC Sponsorships: We are pleased to announce a joint sponsorship
by the Home Builders Association and GMAC Residential for $25,000
plus an additional pledge of $10,000 from GMAC Commercial Mortgage!
These funds bring us significantly closer to our goal of funding
a home through Women Build. Both the HBA and GMAC have a history
of partnership with Habitat Bucks. We are excited to involve them
in them this new way and are grateful for their sponsorship.
Bon Ton Sponsorship: We are pleased to announce that the Bon Ton
has pledged a sponsorship of $5000 to Women Build! A big thanks
to Linda Sinclair of the PR team for helping to make that happen.
Related articles:
The Intelligencer, Real Estate Cover, Sunday 25 September
Bucks County Herald, Thursday 29 September
Women Build Week 2005
Women Build Week 2005 will be held from Sunday 16 October through
Saturday 22 October 22. The week will kick off with an opening
ceremony on 16 October, from 2-3pm. Builders, team member, family,
friends-all are invited to attend. Building will take place at
Emerald Hollow Monday thru Saturday. See below for details on
registering to build. The week will close with a celebration on
the Saturday, 22 October from 3-4pm. Again, all are invited to
attend!
Build Week Registration: Build Week is filling up rapidly. Only
a few spots remain. To register, contact Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x302. Child care will be provided at Christ’s
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Trumbauersville (about a mile from
the building site). Please let us know if you will require child
care when you register.
Orientation: An orientation for Women Build week participants
will be held on Sunday, 16 October at 1pm, prior to the opening
ceremony. Anyone participating in building throughout the week
is strongly encouraged to attend.
Opening Ceremony: Women Build week will kick off with an opening
ceremony on 16 October, from 2-3pm. Builders, team member, family,
friends-all are invited to attend!
Related articles:
BuxMont Living Magazine, Feature with photo, Fall 2005
Shed Build
The First Annual Women Build Shed Project was launched in August.
Women Build Crew Leaders-in-Training initiated this project to
provide themselves with additional hands-on training prior to
Women Build Week as well as to raise funds for the program. Lowe’s
of Warrington donated the materials as well as a portion of their
parking lot for building. Each week, crew leaders continue working
on what is rapidly becoming a high-end shed. The completed shed
will be moved to Emerald Hollow and raffled off during the closing
ceremony of Women Build Week on Saturday 22 October. Raffle tickets
can be purchased ($5/chance or 5/$20): At the Habitat construction
site; on the Habitat website, http://habitatbucks.org/shopProducts.asp;
or by contacting Kelly at k.hile@habitatbucks.org;
215.348.2204 x305. Volunteers are needed to help sell raffle tickets,
contact Laura l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x302 if you’re interested!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mikaela D. Martin
Marketing + Public Relations
Director
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County
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. |
