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Dear Habitat Supporter,
Welcome to the August edition of the Habitat Update! Can it really
be back-to-school time already? This month we made some important
staff changes: Mike Fallon is back on as Project Manager and Kelly
Hile has left as Outreach Director. We’ve also got some
great opportunities coming up; including a brand new Habit Hour,
fall ReSales, two Neighbor to Neighbor events and the amazingly-popular
Women Build-a-thon week (you can even dedicate your participation
in Women Build this year to the woman who built the Bucks County
program – Kelly!). Take a look below for all the details
on these events, plus lots more.
Thanks for being a part of Habitat for Humanity’s vision,
and I hope you enjoy this month’s affiliate news. The August
Habitat Update, as well as previous months’ news is also
available to view online at www.habitatbucks.org/update.asp.
Take Care!
Mikaela
PS: As always: 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; 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).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
• GROUPS ON SITE:
Lowe’s
• GROUPS PROVIDING LUNCHES:
Ridge Valley United Church of Christ, Blooming Glen Mennonite
Church, Lowe’s, 1st Savings Bank of Perkasie
• NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS
LOGGED AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE: 92,660
• NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS AT EMERALD
HOLLOW TO DATE: 10,259
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WELCOMING…
Mike Fallon is back in action here at Habitat for Humanity, and
we couldn’t be happier! Mike is right where he belongs,
on staff as Project Manager (a position that’s been vacant
since his departure almost two years ago). Mike is responsible
for oversight of all things construction, including current and
future projects. Drop him a line at m.fallon@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x312.
Welcoming the Andrew family to Emerald Hollow: Brian and Tarah
Andrew, and their children Kassidee, Chaise and Mollie settled
on their home Aug. 8. Welcome, guys!
The Site Selection committee has added a new volunteer member:
Heath Dumack, P.E & P.L.S of Dumack Engineering. We will be
looking for Heath’s expertise with the land development
aspect of site selection and also his expertise with structural
issues as we proceed farther into the adaptive reuse market. Glad
to have you aboard, Heath!
ON SITE…
In August grading was completed and grass seed planted around
Clusters 11, 12, 14 and 15. The grass seed is growing nicely and
Emerald Hollow is now green! Settlement occurred on the first
end unit in Cluster 11. Drywall is complete in the other end unit
and painting and vinyl floor installation has begun. The home
should settle next month. Foundations and first floor framing
have been completed on all five homes of Cluster 10. Work on decking
and 2nd story framing continues on all the houses in the cluster.
Phase 1 punch list is proceeding forward with dedication of the
road system to follow in October.
IN PARTNERSHIP…
After much preparation and lots of planning, Women Build and A
Woman’s Place have formed a partnership through which Women
Builders will be doing repairs and maintenance on the Woman’s
Place shelter. The first work day will take place in September
and is limited to the core group of Women Build crew leaders.
The goal is to move to regularly scheduled workdays that allow
additional WB-ers to get involved.
Habitat for Humanity has recently partnered with the folks at
The Home Mag, a regional advertising publication for home improvements.
The publishers will be sponsoring a full-page color advertisement
for Habitat Bucks in the magazine each month for the next year!
The Home Mag has a circulation to more than 125,000 in Bucks County
and provides information on home-related products and services.
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities as part of this partnership:
contractors, builders, realtors and suppliers will be able to
advertise themselves as Habitat for Humanity partners in the magazine.
This is an excellent option to support your Bucks County affiliate
and meet your advertising needs!
Fundraising for Neighbor to Neighbor (http://habitatbucks.org/neighbor.asp)
is now at $43,531, thanks to numerous contributions that have
come in this summer! In addition to those donations, fourteen
Neighbor to Neighbor members joined together for a build day on
Aug. 9: Carole Cohen,Coldwell Banker; Eric Blum, Cheryl Goedeke,
ReMax 440; Joe Schortz, Century 21 Associates; Bob Thorsen, ReMax
Action; Bob Curran, Keller Williams; Susette Fenlon, Long and
Foster; Donald and Andy Rumbold, Long and Foster; AnnaMarie Loretan,
BCAR; Maggie Pollich, Prudential Fox & Roach; Michael Strictland,
Addison-Wolf ; Florence Paul, Keller Williams; and Lois Fedele,
Weidel Realtors participated in the build. The Neighbor to Neighbor
crew completed two rooms of drywall, framing and some brutally
heavy foundation cement block work during the build day. Thank
you Neighbor to Neighbor participants for your continued involvement!
JOIN US…
Hooray for Habi Hour! Beginning in September, Habitat Bucks will
host a monthly hour of informative fun. New to Habitat? Want to
know how you can get involved? This is the perfect introduction
to the mission of and opportunities at Habitat of Bucks County.
Volunteered with us before but still have questions? Interested
in changing up your participation? You’re also invited!
This presentation and Q-and-A session is mainly volunteer-led,
giving you the scoop straight from the horse’s mouth. Habitat
staff will also be on hand. Habiticians, veteran and new, come
join us for a lively discussion! Habi Hour dates for 2007: Sep.
27, Oct. 25, Nov. 29 (Thursdays). All Habi Hours are from 5:30-6:30pm
at the Habitat office in New Britain. For more information or
to register, please contact Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x302.
Let's see your swing! Once again, lunch, dinner, fabulous prizes
and a good time are all included in the Neighbor to Neighbor Golf
Outing event on Sep. 10. The Bucks County Association of Realtors
(BCAR, http://www.bucksrealtor.com) will donate all proceeds from
the outing to the Neighbor to Neighbor program. Last year, the
event raised $13,110 for our cause. Let's plan to not only meet
that amount, but beat it this year! Download a registration form
on the Neighbor to Neighbor webpage, http://habitatbucks.org/neighbor.asp,
below the News and Notes section. For more information, please
contact Tim Udinski (Golf Outing Committee Chairman) at 215.262.0737
or Kelly Wenhold, (Director of BCAR Member Services) at 215.956.9176.
Mark your calendars for the Second Annual Americal Idol REALTOR®
Talet Show and Affiliate Expo will be held on Thu., Oct. 11 at
the Radisson Hotel in Trevose. The schedule includes the Affiliate
Expo (and pasta station) from 4-6pm, dinner from 6-7:30pm and
the American REALTOR® Talent Show and prize drawing from 7:30-9:30pm.
Tickets are $40; buy ten tickets and we’ll reserve a table
for you! All proceeds benefit Neighbor to Neighbor. Download the
American REALTOR® event ticket form at http://habitatbucks.org/neighbor.asp.
For more information, please contact Kelly Wenhold, (Director
of BCAR Member Services) at 215.956.9176.
Like to shop? As part of our continued partnership with Neshaminy
Valley Mall, Habitat for Humanity will be selling Macy’s
shopping passes for the store’s Shop for a Cause fundraiser
taking place on Oct. 13 at all Macy’s stores. By purchasing
a shopping pass for $5, customers will have access to exclusive
deals including: 20% off regular sale and clearance women’s,
men’s and kid’s apparel and accessories, fine, bridge
and fashion jewelry, bed and bath items, housewares, frames, luggage,
china, crystal and silver; and 10% off regular, sale and clearance
furniture, mattresses, rugs, kitchen and personal care electrics
and technology items (some exclusions apply). Meanwhile, Habitat
will receive 100% of the funds raised by the sale of shopping
passes! Get your Macy’s Shop for a Cause pass today by visiting
www.habtiatbucks.org or by
contacting Sam at s.martin@habitatbucks.org;
215-348-2204 x310. Buy some to share with your family and friends!
It’s time to begin preparing for Build-a-thon Week 2007,
being held Oct. 13-20! We invite you to be a part of this very
special week, one dedicated solely to women, on our construction
site. Women Build-a-thon Week incorporates the three facets of
our mission – volunteers, funds and vocal support –
into one very powerful and productive week. We ask you to gather
pledges from family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc., to sponsor
you to build during this week. In doing so, you are also spreading
the word about the mission of Women Build and Habitat itself.
Build-a-thon Week 2006 raised nearly $16,000, and we think we
can do even better in 2007! Challenge yourself! Challenge your
friends! It would be wonderful to collect 2000 hours (equivalent
to one house) and $30,000 (7 days of building) during Build-a-thon
Week! You may also take this opportunity to honor a woman in your
life by dedicating your donation in her name. For more information
or to receive registration materials, contact Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x302.
ReSale continues through the fall; events will be held Sep. 8
and 22, Oct. 6 and Nov. 10, from 8am until 12noon at the Big Red
Barn, 1733 Creamery Road, Quakertown (map). The ReSale is currently
featuring several brand new dining room tables from a premier
furniture retailer, as well as doors, windows and other remodeling
supplies. For more information, contact Trish at t.schoor@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x303.
---------
Think you may have something to donate to the ReSale? We will
happily accept the following: new and unused building materials
and supplies, including lumber, carpeting, windows, doors, unopened
paint, lighting and interior fixtures, etc.; new appliances; new
and gently used garden, power and hand tools; extension ladders;
new and gently used furniture. Call 215.348.2204 x317 for donation
information! Please be aware that we are unable to pick up donations.
Also, we are unable to accept used appliances, clothing, toys,
books or small household items. There are numerous organizations
in the area that accept things we cannot. Visit http://habitatbucks.org/donate2.asp
for a complete listing of those organizations, what they accept
and their contact information.
GIVING THANKS…
On Aug. 31, Habitat for Humanity bid a very sad farewell to Outreach
Director, Kelly Hile. While we support her decision to move her
career in another direction, we can’t help but feel a little
heartbroken, too. Kelly has been responsible for, and the primary
designer of, many programs during the four+ years she spent at
Habitat. Most notably, she was responsible for initiating Women
Build – our most successful program to date! Kelly’s
tenacity, hard work and brilliant wit will be greatly missed.
We appreciate all of her hard work and wish her well on her journey.
Interviews for a new Outreach Director are underway; Contact Linda
at l.andrews@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x308 for information.
Challenged by a personal enrichment class to make a difference
in the community, Nick Van Valkenburgh did just that, spreading
the word about the mission of Habitat Bucks, raising funds to
support the organization, and planning a group build day. After
fundraising to support the cost of building materials and tools,
on Aug. 18, Nick and a group of 15 friends, family, and community
members came together to volunteer at Emerald Hollow where they
spent the day framing walls and installing joists, among other
construction tasks. Their contributions of finances and time,
as well as their enthusiasm, went a long way towards helping Habitat
accomplish its mission to provide affordable housing.
On Sat., Aug. 4, 23 women braved the heat and humidity to participate
in Habitat’s second 2007 Women Build day at Emerald Hollow.
Under the direction of staff and volunteer Women Build crew leaders,
the Women Builders installed drywall, worked on foundations, and
organized materials. At lunchtime they were treated to sandwiches,
fruit and cookies prepared by Girl Scout Troop 270.
OUT AND ABOUT…
Newly re-hired (thank goodness!) Project Manager, Mike Fallon,
will be Habitat for Humanity’s Bucks Mont National Association
of Remolding Industry (NARI) representative during a trip to the
Waveland and Bay Saint Lewis Mississippi area. Mike will build
for four days as part of the City Team Ministries from Sep. 15
– 19. Country-wide, NARI members will be working of several
building projects.
We’re taking Women Build on the Road! Organized by the
Bucks County Commissioners' Advisory Council for Women and Bucks
County Community College, A Day for All Women is a full-day conference,
in three sessions, focused on empowering area women by expanding
their vision of the opportunities available. Women Build will
be making an appearance during this year’s conference, being
held on Sat., Nov. 3. WB crew leaders will be presenting a “HandyWoman”
session covering useful home maintenance topics. Come out and
join us and take full advantage of the more than 50 inspiring
and informational sessions throughout the day. To register, visit
the Day for all Women website at http://www.bucks.edu/dfaw/.
Application Day was held Aug. 4. The Family Selection Committee
is currently reviewing a number of applications, which they expect
will fill the remaining homes in Emerald Hollow. We are not accepting
applications at this time, but anyone interested in obtaining
information on homeownership through Habitat or remaining in the
database for the next application day should contact Nancy O’Connor
or Stefanie Clark at n.oconnor@habitatbucks.org
or s.clark@habitatbucks.org.
MAKING NOTE…
Can you or your employer consider a corporate sponsorship for
landscaping? Sponsorship is a wonderful opportunity to enhance
your company’s profile as a community leader! An estimated
$61,000 worth of shrubbery, trees and grading materials are needed
to complete the Emerald Hollow community – and Habitat for
Humanity is counting on our community partnerships to make sure
it happens. Planting is an additional way for corporate employees
to participate in our program and can be a great team building
day. For more information, contact Trish at t.schoor@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x303. Make a contribution of “green”
to Emerald Hollow today!
The Makefield Women’s Association has assembled 25 fabulous
gift baskets, any of which could be yours on Sep. 29! You can
find a listing of the baskets, as well as a ticket order form
($5 each or 5/$20), on the MWA website, http://www.makefieldwomensassociation.org/raffleintro.htm.
Winners will be drawn at the Yardley Harvest Day on Sep. 29. You
needn’t be present to win. Women Build will receive half
of the proceeds from this well-known raffle, so even if you don’t
win, Women Build does!
The first applications for the UGI Energy Grant were submitted
in August and we are patiently awaiting the approvals.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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.
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