Dear Habitat Supporter,
Welcome to the October 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
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OCTOBER 2005 UPDATE
CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEER OF
THE MONTH: Margie Horton
GROUPS ON SITE: Redeemer
Lutheran Church, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Doylestown United Methodist
Church, HBA, GMAC Commercial Mortgage, GMAC Residential Mortgage,
Bon Ton, Episcopal Hammers, St. Thomas Church in Whitemarsh, lots
of Women Builders
GROUPS PROVIDING BREAKFASTS:
Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, Souderton-Telford
Business & Professional Women, Health Center staff of Meadowood
Life Care Community, Landis Supermarket, Giant Food Stores, Hair
Occasions, Strawberry Fields Co-op, Manhattan Bagel, Yum-Yum Donuts,
CKS Engineers, Wal-Mart
GROUPS PROVIDING LUNCHES: 1st
Savings Bank of Perkasie, TODAY, Inc Alternative School, Blooming
Glen Mennonite Church, St. Peters Lutheran Church in Hilltown,
Washington House, Merck Retiree Volunteer Program, Women of Wednesday
Bible Study from Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, Seasoned Adults
Learning Together from Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, Pizza
Hut, Wawa
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS LOGGED
AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE: 71,770
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS AT HABITAT
BUCKS IN 2005: 828
SPECIAL, THIS MONTH!
BUILDING HOURS CONTRIBUTED
DURING WOMEN BUILD WEEK: 1,909
VOLUNTEERS DURING WOMEN
BUILD WEEK: 171
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WELCOMING…
The
Family Selection Committee recently accepted the Clymer family
for an Emerald Hollow Two model of home. Ryan and Mary Beth are
parents to baby, Jillian, and live in Perkasie. The committee
also accepted the Gicuki family of Bristol. Daniel and his wife,
Salome Thiga, are parents to Brian and Bernice. Welcome!
ON SITE...
Today Incorporated visited site to provide lunch and receive a
tour. The group prepared sandwiches, drinks, chips and desserts
for the work crew. After serving lunch, the group visited and
talked with a current homeowner and toured her home.
Infrastructure continues to progress. The storm water is now
complete and curbs, utilities and roadway will be going in this
month. General grading is also progressing as work areas reach
completion.
Cluster 14: Siding is now complete and stone will be installed
in November. Women Builders provided a big push on drywall and
trim in mid-October. Final drywall will finish in two units while
the remaining four units are in varying stages of trim, paint
and cabinet installation. We can look forward to final mechanicals,
flooring and the completion of the decks in November.
Cluster 15: Slabs are now complete and framing is off to a terrific
start. Nearly all first floor framing is complete on all six units.
Trusses are expected in the third week of November in hopes of
being under roof by the holidays.
OUT + ABOUT…
Community Relations Manager, Dan, built and painted birdhouses
at Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church’s youth group. There
were about 15 youth involved between the ages of 12 and 16. The
group will sell the birdhouses to raise money for Habitat.
Dan spoke at First Service Bank in Doylestown about Habitat and
the United Way. It’s the bank’s annual United Way
campaign and we were asked to speak as a receiving agency of the
United Way.
Joe Morrison recently attended a two day seminar on Outcomes
Measurements hosted by the United Way of Bucks County. The seminar
was designed to help nonprofits look at what they do from a different
perspective - namely, the amount of change that occurs in their
"clients" lives. Some of the components of the seminar
will be weaved into our funding proposals and the information
as a whole will serve as a guideline for more effectively managing
the mission of the organization.
As part of our annual Birdhouse Blitz Build at Kutz Elementary,
the Green Thumb Club, led by Jill Talarico, built 12 birdhouses
and plan to sell them to raise funds for Habitat.
Habitat plans to hold a Birdhouse Blitz Build at Doylestown United
Methodist Church and host a tour of the construction site in conjunction
with the Central Bucks Healthier Community Team’s annual
Martin Luther King Day of Service on 16 January 2006.
IN PARTNERSHIP…
Please join us in congratulating Steve and Katie Mott and Brian
and Nicole Johnson on their recent “partnership agreements.”
Both couples were married this October: Steve and Katie Mott of
Cluster 1 in Emerald Hollow got married in Austin, Texas on 8
October; Brian and Nicole Johnson of Cluster 15 in Phase II of
Emerald Hollow were married locally on 15 October. Congratulations
and celebrations!
New Goshenhoppen United Church of Christ, Pennsburg, is hosting
a second-annual Christmas party for the children of Emerald Hollow
on December 4. The kids had so much fun last year; they will certainly
be excited to learn that the fun continues!
The Quakertown Ministerium, Toys for Tots and HUBBUB (Helping
Upper Bucks Be Universally Better—a group of social service
organizations working the Upper Bucks region) are sponsoring the
Second Annual Christmas Carnival on Saturday, December 10. Habitat
Bucks will once again be providing the fun and delicious activity
station of “Holiday House Making” out of graham crackers,
milk cartons and lots of yummy candy! Free games and prizes will
be provided for kids of all ages at this exciting event. To register,
or for more information, call Sharon at the Upper Bucks Salvation
Army, 215-529-6547.
GIVING THANKS…
The Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce’s
Development Committee of Business Cares has once again chosen
Habitat Bucks as one of many beneficiaries of its annual holiday
assistance gift. We are forever grateful for the chamber members’
generosity in helping make the holidays a little easier for the
Habitat families!
The 2005 Appeal process is now underway. Individuals, corporations,
businesses, organizations, and faith groups have all been invited
to financially support our important work. If you would like to
be a part of our annual appeal, you can make your donation on-line
by visiting www.habitatbucks.org/donate.asp.
Our thanks go out to the following recent major donors who are
important partners in fulfilling our mission:
Legacy Circle Members: Cameron and Diane Fowler ($10,000), David
and Kathleen Creamer ($10,000)
Women Build Program: GMAC Commercial Mortgage ($10,000)
Harvest Hoedown: Quakertown National Bank ($5,000), First Savings
Community Foundation ($5,000)
General Support: Bucks County Foundation ($8,000), Merck and Company
($5,000), Wachovia Foundation ($5,000), Doylestown United Methodist
Church ($3,150), Don and Elizabeth Weiner ($2,000), GE Infrastructure
($1,800), Finland Mennonite Church ($1,500), Thompson Memorial
Presbyterian Church ($1,500), John and Chara Haas( $1,000), Simple
Technologies ($1,000)
Without support from friends like you, we would be unable to do
what we do. Thank you kindly!
MAKING NOTE…
Habitat for Humanity has a powerful
new tool to strengthen the organization's house-building mission
worldwide: a new shared logo that incorporates the ideals of partnership,
shelter and action and reflects the principles that shape the
Habitat movement. And while our look may be changing, rest assured
that our mission is steadfast: to build simple, decent, affordable
houses in partnership with families who need them. Habitat Bucks
has begun to implement this new logo on our signs and we plan
to have all of our materials update din time for our 15th anniversary
in December. Keep an eye out! (Want a sneak peak? Visit our website’s
News section here: http://habitatbucks.org/news.asp.)
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. (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!)
Related articles:
Bucks County Herald, Thursday 13 October, Page two headline:
Local artist designs winning holiday card for Habitat for Humanity’s
contest
Newtown Gazette, Friday 7 October, News with color photo headline:
Kristy Krajnenko is Habitat Bucks 15th Annual Holiday Card Contest
Winner! (http://timespub.com/ngazette-cg.html)
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)
JOIN US…
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…
What an amazing week! I am happy to report that our first ever
Women Build Week was a huge success! The week kicked off on a
blustery, but sunny Sunday afternoon. The opening ceremony was
an entertaining event that included two songs by local artist
Brenda Kahn, one written expressly for Women Build. The 2005 PA
National Teenager, Carmen Bloom, was in attendance and read a
letter of support by Bucks County Commissioner Sandra Miller.
It was obvious from the excitement in the crowd that everyone
was ready to build!
Approximately 180 women participated in a wide variety of construction
categories in both Clusters 14 and 15, a total of 12 homes. Categories
included framing, foundation block, slab prep, drywall, insulation,
paint, trim, hanging doors, kitchen cabinets and flooring. In
addition to having a great time, the women were able to completely
drywall two units, get the initial framing stages going on three
units, complete all of the trim in an end unit (beautifully),
and completely paint an entire unit. Ten trained crew leaders
stepped up to the task of leading volunteers and showed just how
far they have come over the past few months. Habitat staff were
impressed by the leadership skills and know-how they displayed
and gladly welcome them to continue coming out to lead crews!
At their 19 October meeting, the Bucks County Commissioners proclaimed
16 – 22 October Women Build Week in Bucks County! Trish
and Kelly attended the meeting to accept the proclamation on behalf
of Habitat Bucks. We are grateful for the Commissioners’
continued support of our organization’s efforts and proud
to have Women Build thus recognized.
A tour and luncheon was held to honor our sponsors on Friday.
Turn-out was great with women build volunteers and advisory chairs,
homeowner families and Habitat staff and board joining our sponsors.
Heartfelt and inspiring words were said by Bucks County Commissioner
Sandi Miller and CBHCT Executive Director, Dawn Byers, both WB
advisory chairs.
The weather for the closing was decidedly different than for
the opening. Laura did her best to make herself heard over the
sound of the deluge hitting the tent roof. We took that opportunity
to truly thank all that had been involved in the week and to hand
out some recognition gifts to a group of women that have contributed
in exceptional ways.
While some were able to put their finger on a reason and others
not, many report that this was a very different week of building
at Habitat. A different atmosphere, a different feeling, a different
attitude. We always have a great time out there and get things
done, but this was special. I want to send out my sincerest thanks
to everyone who was a part of it. Crew Leaders, team leaders,
team members, advisory chairs, families, sponsors, builders, special
guests and Habitat staff and board, I feel honored to have worked
with you all on this program.
Thank you!
Kelly
Related articles:
Bucks County Herald, Thursday 27 October, page seven
with color photo spread headline: Women Build week a success in
Trumbauersville
Greater Philadelphia House + Home Magazine, Volume 7 Issue 10,
headline: Habitat Seeks Volunteers for Women Build
Bucks Women, Fall 2005, page four headline: Women Build Homes…and
So Much More (http://www.bcwf.org/BCWF_FallNewsletter05.pdf)
BuxMont Living, Fall 2005, page three with color photo headline:
“It’s about…Women Building a Better Bucks
Bridges to Business, September/October, headline: Women Build
for Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County
Bucks County Herald, Thursday 29 September, headline: $25K commitment
made to Women Build program
Shed Winner!
The shed constructed by the Women Build Crew Leaders raised a
grand total of $1938 and was raffled off at the closing ceremony.
There was much anticipation and the air was thick with hope. Linda
Andrews of the Bucks/Mont NARI drew the winning ticket. And the
winner of the Women Build Shed is…(drumroll please)…Deb
Renner of the Doylestown area! Congratulations to Deb and we hope
she thoroughly enjoys her prize!
Shed build wrap-up meeting
A meeting specifically for those that participated in the Shed
Build project will be held on Thursday, 10 November at 7pm at
the Habitat Office. Come with your thoughts on what went well
with the project and what needs to be improved on if we are to
do it again in 2006. Please RSVP to Kelly at k.hile@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x305.
Fundraising Campaign
Funds raised to date: $56,616 | Goal: $70,000 | Keep track of
our fundraising progress on the women build webpage (www.habitatbucks.org/womenbuild.asp).
As we entered Women Build Week, we hovered around the $50,000
mark. Through sales and donations during the week, nearly $7,000
was added! But we still have a bit to go. Families cannot buy
half-built houses, so we have to reach our goal of $70,000, even
if it takes an extra month or two. So many of you have given so
much already, and I thank you wholeheartedly for that. If you
have ideas on how to close the gap, do get in touch with me!
Related articles:
Doylestown Patriot, Thursday 13 October, headline: Women
Build receives financial boost
Intelligencer, Thursday 29 September (http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_multi=DPIB|&p_product=BURB&p_theme=burb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=bon-Ton%20AND%20Stores%20AND%20Foundation%20AND%20Habitat%20AND%20Bucks&s_dispstring=bon-Ton%20Stores%20Foundation%20Habitat%20Bucks%20AND%20date(9/29/2005%20to%209/29/2005)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=9/29/2005%20to%209/29/2005)&p_perpage=10&p_sort=_rank_:D&xcal_ranksort=4&xcal_useweights=yes)
Intelligencer, Thursday 29 September, Notes section headline:
Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties, GMAC
Mortgage Corp./Sponsorship given
Bucks County Herald, Thursday 29 September, headline: $25K commitment
made to Women Build program
Bon Ton Care to Share
The Bon Ton, in addition to their sponsorship, has offered us
an additional way to raise funds for Women Build. They will hold
their annual Care to Share day on Saturday, 12 November. A $5booklet
gets you loads of coupons and 30-50% off deals for that day. And
the best part is that the $5 goes straight to Women Build. Booklets
are available now at the Habitat office. Volunteers willing to
sell coupon booklets should contact Kelly.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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. |
