Habitat for Humanity - Bucks County



	The Habitat Update - JANUARY 2006 > To subscribe to the Habitat Update (the month's issue will be delivered to your email inbox), send Mikaela a request at m.martin@habitatbucks.org.
	Dear Habitat Supporter, Welcome to the January edition of the Habitat Update! The Habitat Update functions as a way to improve communication about the goings-on of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, and will be sent once a month. 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 (m.martin@habitatbucks.org or 215.348.2204 x306). If you prefer to have a hard copy version sent to you or would not like to be included on this distribution list, please respond stating your preference. Take Care! Mikaela +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ JANUARY 2006 UPDATE CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: Alex Parzych GROUPS ON SITE: Bucks County Community College, Old Navy, Doylestown United Methodist Church, Option One Mortgage, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Episcopal Hammers, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Penn Foundation GROUPS PROVIDING LUNCHES: Applebee’s, Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS LOGGED AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE: 74,628 NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE: 9,299 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ON SITE… Cluster 14 is almost complete! Volunteers spent December painting, installing closet shelves, and installing kitchen cabinets and countertops. After carpet installation and touch-up painting, the homes should be ready for occupancy. Stay tuned for the dedication date. Cluster 15 2nd story framing is almost complete, and roofing trusses have been set on several units. On the Habitat Bucks website: > Construction News Page, see photographs and read more about the progress of our building efforts! JOIN US… Habitat to Re-Conduct Our Re-Sale! Habitat Bucks will be once again hosting a Bargain Barn Re-sale on Saturday, 8 April. We are currently looking for new and unused building materials and supplies, including lumber, carpeting, windows, doors, unopened paint, lighting and interior fixtures; new appliances; new and gently used garden, power and hand tools; extension ladders; new and gently used furniture and children’s items such as strollers and playpens. We are unable to accept used appliances, clothing, toys, books or small household items. These items will then be resold to the general public and funds raised will benefit Habitat Bucks’ mission. For more information, email info@habitatbucks.org with “Resale” in the subject line. The Faith Relations Committee partners with faith groups in Bucks County to promote Habitat’s mission. They focus on advocacy, diversity, fellowship and fundraising through two annual events, Building on Faith Week and Faith Youth Week. Members also assist with dedication ceremonies, speak to congregations, and promote Habitat’s mission at special events. Join us at our next meeting on 27 February from 7 – 8:30pm at our office. For more information, please contact Dan at d.oconnor@habitatbucks.org or 215.348.2204 x312. On the Habitat Bucks website: > Faith Relations Page, learn more about putting your faith into action! GIVING THANKS… We recently received a visit at our office from a thoughtful five-year-old named Natalie Shoulberg who came by to donate money to our Family Program department. Natalie, a student at Windmill Day School and Camp, saved the money, and with the help of her mom, Valerie, decided to donate it to Habitat to “help families build houses.” Thanks, Natalie! On the Habitat Bucks website: > News Page, see a photograph of little Natalie presenting her donation to Stefanie. Very special thanks to Stan Reinford and Marianne Harms who presented at our family support workshop on Saturday, 28 January. Stan is a current committee member who works in the mortgage industry. He offered tools and tips to improve and maintain credit. Marianne is a former committee member who shared strategies for families to “create prosperity,” as it’s only a thought away. Thank you to Doylestown Presbyterian Church for the gracious use of a meeting room and the awesome nursery in Andrew’s Hall. This event was a committee effort that was successfully accomplished with each member’s participation—thank you! Our thanks go out to the following recent major donors who are important partners in fulfilling our mission: General Support: Anne Funk Trust ($5,720); Clark Family Foundation ($1,000); Deep Run Mennonite Church East ($1,000); Doylestown Hospital ($1,134); and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church ($2,000). Without support from friends like you, we would be unable to do what we do. Thank you kindly! On the Habitat Bucks website: > Donation Page, read more about the ways people and organizations contribute to Habitat. Thank you for showing your support by collecting supermarket register tapes or registering your supermarket cards! Would you like to participate in this simple way to raise funds for Habitat Bucks? Every time you shop, a percentage of your purchases will be donated to our mission: > Genuardi’s Community Cash Back program is powered by eScrip, an electronic fundraising tool. To join, simply register your Genuardi’s club card or your credit/debit card at www.escrip.com, or use a sign-up sheet at the Genuardi’s customer service counter. Our Group ID Number is 149390004. > If you shop at Acme Markets, just mail or drop of your receipts/register tapes to our office. IN PARTNERSHIP… Habitat Bucks County the Bucks County Association of Realtors, Inc. recently announced the launch of the Neighbor to Neighbor program. The program is a partnership between Habitat, the association and its members to build homes for deserving families in Bucks County. The first-year goal of the program is to raise $100,000 with the help of local realtor agents; and, in addition to a financial commitment, the program encourages participants to promote the mission of Habitat Bucks to make safe, affordable housing a matter of conscience and action in Bucks County. For more information, contact Joe at j.morrison@habitatbucks.org; 215.348.2204 x303. On the Habitat Bucks website: > Partnership Page, read more about this exciting program. The Genesis Youth Group of St. Cyril of Jerusalem Church in Jamison partnered with Habitat Bucks in the fall of 2005 to host a mega Birdhouse Blitz Build. The group built and painted over 100 hundred birdhouses and learned about Habitat for Humanity. Over the holidays, the group sold their birdhouses to raise funds to buy trees for Habitat’s Emerald Hollow Community. To date, the group has raised over $1,400 and plans to visit Emerald Hollow in the spring to plant trees they’ve purchased with the funds. On the Habitat Bucks website: > Youth Involvement page, read more about what Bucks County youth are doing for Habitat. Habitat has been awarded two full home sponsorships by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans through the Thrivent Builds for Habitat for Humanity program. This project will start in the new year and be completed by the end of 2006. This project will unite Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, local Lutheran Churches, future homeowners, volunteers and many more for the purpose of building decent affordable homes with those in need. On the Habitat Bucks website: > Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity Page, read more about the Thrivent Builds for Habitat for Humanity program. OUT + ABOUT… Community Relations Manager, Dan, spoke to the Warminster Rotary Club this month about Habitat for Humanity and the Emerald Hollow Community. The club also donated $250 to help support the mission of Habitat Bucks! As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service in Central Bucks County, Habitat offered a Birdhouse Blitz Build as a way of allowing our youth to help better their community. 60 students ranging in ages between 6 and 16 built and painted birdhouses at Doylestown United Methodist Church. A group of regular Habitat volunteers led the students in their pursuit to make the best birdhouses. Each birdhouse was accompanied with a postcard that asked the students to either sell their birdhouses to raise money for Habitat or to give their birdhouses away and tell the person some information about Habitat. This project was one of many being performed around the Central Bucks area. Thanks to all involved! Related articles: > Bucks County Herald, 12 January, headline: Martin Luther King, Day of Service expects 1,000 volunteers Dan and Joe Morrison met with a representative from Yardville National Bank. The bank would like to be involved with Habitat Bucks by volunteering their time and offering financial donations to help achieve our mission. MAKING NOTE… What’s that you say? Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County t-shirts are on sale for only $5?! You’ve got to see it to believe it: http://habitatbucks.org/shopProducts.asp This year Habitat Bucks will host two groups that will give-up their spring break to help serve others. We have a returning group from the Miss Porter’s School in Farmington Connecticut and a new group from East Carolina University. Both groups will spend the entire week building homes in the Emerald Hollow Community. The date of this year’s Collegiate Challenge Week is 13 through 17 March. Wehrung's Lumber has announced that 2006 is their 20th Anniversary year, and in recognition of that fact, they will be donating proceeds from various activates they will hold throughout the year to Habitat Bucks. Their big celebration dates are 12 and 13 May, and Habitat Bucks volunteers and partner families are expected to be an important part of those celebrations. Keep an eye out for more details as they are announced. WOMEN BUILDING A BETTER BUCKS… Women Build Email Update – 30 January 2006 Hello Women Build-ers! Women Build 2006 is off to an enthusiastic start! The interest meeting held on January 26th was well-attended with the majority of the attendees signing up for something or other. And it’s not too late for you to do the same! Each team can still use members and the food team is in need of leaders as well. For those of you that couldn’t attend, here’s the lowdown on what to expect in 2006. > Read the Update! http://habitatbucks.org/pdf/wb_update%2030jan06.pdf > Attachment one: http://habitatbucks.org/pdf/wb_team%20descriptions.pdf > Attachment two: http://habitatbucks.org/pdf/wb_info%20sheet.pdf Stay up-to-date on the Women Build program by visiting http://habitatbucks.org/womenbuild.asp! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 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 www.habitatbucks.org From 2005-2008, Habitat for Humanity will build 36 affordable homes in Bucks County. Each home will require a commitment of 2000 volunteer hours and financial contributions averaging $4,250 per day. Habitat relies strictly on the generosity and commitment of our neighbors and partner families to provide these resources, and to make safe, affordable housing a matter of conscience and action in our community. > Next Update - www.habitatbucks.org/update200602 < Previous Update - www.habitatbucks.org/update200512 > Back to Update homepage - www.habitatbucks.org/update