Dear Habitat Supporter,
Welcome to the November edition of the Habitat Update. Well,
we finally had a little taste of snow this month; now let’s
hope for a real snow day so we can break out the sleds! Below,
you’ll find information about some fun holiday evens Stefanie
and Nancy in the Family Program Department are cooking up, a recap
of the Sixth Annual 5K which had a record turnout and some news
about day sponsors GE and Physician’s Endocrinology.
Also, the fall appeal for donations to Habitat for Humanity of
Bucks County was mailed to your home last month. Individual donations
account for 55% of our operating budget. We can’t exist
without your support – your ongoing generosity is the cornerstone
of our mission! Please take this opportunity to respond to the
fall appeal; you may do so online at http://habitatbucks.org/donate.asp,
if you prefer (be sure to specify "fall appeal" in the
special instructions box). Let us know if your employer has a
matching gift program, or might consider a corporate build day.
Your advocacy on behalf on Habitat Bucks makes a difference!
Thanks for being a part of Habitat for Humanity’s vision,
and I hope you enjoy this month’s affiliate news. The November
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).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOVEMBER 2007 UPDATE
• VOLUNTEER
OF THE MONTH: Bruce Shaffer (September), Cindy
Dempsey (October), Janine Jasinski (November)
• GROUPS
ON SITE: GE, Shelly’s
• GROUPS PROVIDING LUNCHES:
GE, Solomon’s United Church of Christ, Shelly’s, Blooming
Glen Mennonite Church, 1st Savings Bank of Perkasie
• NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS
LOGGED AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE: 95,610
• NUMBER
OF VOLUNTEERS AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE:10,399
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WELCOMING…
The Family Selection Committee and Family Program
Department welcome two new families: Patty Hunter and her son,
Terry, who live in Sellersville, and Patrick Muriithi and Milkah
Njogu, with their daughter Yvonne, who live in Bristol. Welcome,
families!
Could we be welcoming you next? Habitat for Humanity is seeking
a motivated, dynamic individual to establish and assume full responsibility
for our ReStore, a new retail operation. Along with a strong commitment
to the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, applicants
must have experience in management, retail and merchandising operations
with knowledge of home improvement, building supplies, appliances
and furniture. Applicant must also be a self-starter with excellent
communication and customer service skills. For a complete job
description, contact Linda Andrews at l.andrews@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x308.
ON SITE…
The final home in cluster 11 is in the final stages of construction,
with painting, trim and doors underway.
Cluster 10 construction is moving forward! Subcontractor rough-ins
are complete, drywall installation is being completed in three
units and insulation is being installed in the other three units.
Cluster 9 is in the foundation/ rough plumbing stages.
IN PARTNERSHIP…
This month, 19 GE employees from all over the region came together
to participate in an Emerald Hollow build day. The employees represented
many division of GE, including commercial sales, energy and water.
Many had been on site before and were glad to be able to see how
much the development had progressed. Blessed with great weather,
the group worked on laying foundation and framing roofs. GE has
been working with Habitat since 1995, and our own Women Builder
and GE employee, Gloria Tafel, was back on site for the build
day. Thanks for a great partnership, GE!
This year’s holiday card design by Bucks County artist
Carole Graffeo was created especially for the benefit of Habitat
for Humanity of Bucks County. Carole, a Bucks County resident
for 30 years, owns and operates a small business from her home
that specializes in decorative painting of children’s furniture
and unique gift items. “I am just so thrilled to have my
artwork used to benefit the mission and work of Habitat for Humanity!”
Cards are available for sale now online (http://habitatbucks.org/shopProducts.asp)
and at several local shops:
> Bakers on Broad,
Souderton
> Doylestown Book
Shop, Doylestown
> Duane’s
Hair Design, Souderton
> The Larder,
Doylestown
> Level 2 Hair
Designs, Doylestown
> Contemporary
Collections, Doylestown
> Neshaminy Mall
Customer Service, Langhorne
> Piper Classics,
Pipersville
> PNC Bank, New
Britain
> Seraphim Gifts
and Collectibles, Dublin
> Sovereign Bank,
Hilltown
A variety pack of holiday cards featuring several winning designs
from previous years is also available. All card sets are $8 for
a pack of ten.
Instead of tossing your used cell phone or printer cartridges,
bring them to us. We are partnering with the Funding Factory Recycling
Program to generate income for the Family Program Department.
According to Funding Factory, an estimated 350 million inkjet
and laser cartridges and used cell phones will be thrown away
this year alone. Help decrease this number and support Habitat
while you’re at it! Contact Sam at 215.348.2204 x 310 or
s.martin@habitatbucks.org
for more information.
This year, several Women Build volunteers were inspired to reach
out to other organizations in the community. Crew leaders spent
several weekends making repairs to a local woman’s shelter,
A Woman’s Place. This was tough work and long days for these
women, but they would do it again! It is this kind of partnership
across organizations that empowers women and brings about the
social change and community involvement that really makes a difference.
Congratulations on a fabulous partnership, Women Builders –
you’re an inspiration!
Palisades High School sponsored Habitat Bucks for the third year
with the Palisades Film Festival, held on Dec. 1 at Palisades
High School Auditorium, in Kintnersville, PA. This is the third
year in a row that the high school students have supported Habitat
Bucks through the event. Students present several short films
of their own making and enter a contest that is decided by the
audience.
Abington Friends School students are raising funds for a build
day in December. The students are part of the middle and upper
schools’ Community Service Program led by Reese Willis,
Assistant Director of Admission and Upper School Community Service
Coordinator. The students have already raised over $700 for Habitat
Bucks by holding a formal pasta dinner last month! Habitat’s
resource development director, Trish, is a 1978 alumna of Abington
Friends and is looking forward to reuniting with her alma mater
by joining the students for their build day.
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County will welcome Physician’s
Endocrinology of Doylestown as a day sponsor in January. The entire
staff will be brave the cold to participate in three build days
in January – stay tuned for details!
JOIN US…
Come see Larry Jones and Friends, featuring a variety of local
musicians, performing a benefit concert for Habitat for Humanity
at the Red Stallion in Warminster on Dec. 12. Doors open at 7:30pm.
If you are a local musician or a fan and want to help with the
event, feel free to contact Larry at 215.680.1755.
Thank goodness it’s Friday! Visit TGIFriday’s in
Quakertown (10 North West End Blvd.) any Wednesday night in December
with a discount card and 15% of your dinner purchase will benefit
Neighbor to Neighbor. Discount coupons are available at both the
BCAR and Habitat office. Contact Trish at t.schoor@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x303 for more information.
Get in (or continue!) the holiday spirit as we wrap gifts for
the Habitat kids! Our annual Wrap Fest will be held on Tue., Dec.
18 at 7pm at the Habitat office. Refreshments and holiday music
will be provided. Please bring a roll of wrapping paper if you
plan to attend. RSVP to Nancy at 215.348.2204 x304 or n.oconnor@habitatbucks.org.
We will be caroling and delivering gifts to the children in Emerald
Hollow on Wed., Dec. 19. Meet at 6:30pm at the gazebo in Emerald
Hollow. If you need directions or more information, please contact
Stefanie at 215.348.2204 x307 or s.clark@habitatbucks.org.
Are you interested in joining Women Build, but aren’t sure
where to begin? Been involved in the past, but want to do more?
Habitat will be hosting two interest meetings in January to outline
the 2008 Women Build program. Come hear about the opportunities
available to learn new skills, help families in need, and meet
other women committed to making a difference in their community.
> Wed., Jan. 16,
6–7pm, doors open at 5:30; Doylestown United Methodist Church,
Overholt Hall; 320 E. Swamp Road, Doylestown, PA; snow date is
Jan. 23, 5:30-7:30pm.
> Fri., Jan. 25,
11am–12:30pm; Habitat Office; 215 Matthews Avenue, New Britain.
We welcome any and all who want to find out more about the program.
Please RSVP to Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org
or 215-348-2204 x302.
GIVING THANKS…
A big “Thank you!” to Eileen Devine and Ellen Cohen
of The Philadelphia chapter of International Furnishings and Design
Association (IFDA) who recently
visited the Habitat office to deliver a $3,500 check. The IFDA
sets aside funds each year to support a non-profit organization
and we are so thrilled to have been this year’s recipient!
Newtown residents and soccer buddies, Katie Leininger and Delaney
Smith, recently visited the offices of Habitat for Humanity of
Bucks County in order to deliver a contribution of $605. Though
the pair both attend the same school, playing soccer together
is what makes them close. So close in fact, that they decided
to hold a joint birthday party and, at the inspiration of Katie’s
brother, Alex, the young women asked guests to bring donations
for Habitat in lieu of gifts. Five years ago, Alex made a contribution
of $300; Katie and Delaney were thrilled to beat his score!
> See a full press
release at http://habitatbucks.org/pressReleases.asp.
This is what Act! Give! Share! is all about! CVS Pharmacy in
Doylestown made a donation to Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County
of excess candy supplies from Halloween. This donation will make
for some very “sweet” fun for our participation in
the upcoming Christmas Carnival, during which the family program
department will be helping little ones build gingerbread houses
(see below). The donation of candy was a result of our volunteer
Patti Milroy, and her colleague, Michelle Stover and her association
with CVS in Doylestown. Thanks for a wonderful connection and
a generous donation!
Thank you to the BonTon Foundation for their support of the Women
Build program! They contributed $5,000 towards the 2007 program,
sponsoring the Women Build for their third consecutive year! BonTon
has also generously supported Women Build throughout the year
with contributions from their BonTon Care to Share Community Days.
The Village Improvement Association of Doylestown approved a
$2,500 donation for Women Build. The Village Improvement Association
is a women’s club that owns and oversees the operation of
the Doylestown Hospital and endeavors to promote the improvement
of Bucks County and the health and welfare of its residents. Thank
you to the VIA for their support, and thank you to Women Build
crew leader and Doylestown Hospital employee Deb Thorrick for
her assistance with the grant!
The Bucks-Montgomery chapter of National Association of the Remodeling
Industry (NARI) is providing gifts for our Habitat kids this holiday
season. Thank you for your continuous support and your generosity.
OUT AND ABOUT…
It was a record-setting day at the Sixth Annual Habitat 5K on
Nov. 24. The race was organized by the Quakertown Rotary Club
and held at Quakertown United Methodist Church. This year featured
the largest turnout yet, with 206 runners for the 5K and 22 youngsters
in the Kid's Fun Run. Capping the event was an amazing race run
by Steve Gourley (29) of Sellersville who was the overall winner
by over one minute, and set a new course record with a time of
15:59. With the great turn-out and strong sponsor support, the
race raised over $5,000 to support Habitat for Humanity of Bucks
County’s mission! The generous cash sponsors included a
mix of old and new, including R. G. Moffett, Attorney at Law;
Sterner Insurance; Hutchinson; Gillahan & Freeh Accountants;
Ivanhoe Industries; Quakertown National Bank; Visionetics; Fisher's
Tuxedo; Peruzzi Toyota; Klover Contracting; Diversified Refrigeration;
Bellehaven Nursing Home; Farm & Home Oil; Cowan Associates.
In-kind sponsors were Pizza Randa; Born to Run Running Store;
The Chocolate Factory; Empire Bagel; Eagles' Peak Water. Special
thanks once again to race organizer and Habitat for Humanity board
member, Bill Tuszynski for his tremendous effort and dedication
to this annual event. You’re the best, Mr. Bill!
> See a full press
release at http://habitatbucks.org/pressReleases.asp.
The Family Program Department is attending the annual Christmas
Carnival at Quakertown United Methodist Church, an Upper Bucks
distribution site for Toys for Tots, on Sat., Dec. 8. We will
be providing the messy and yummy supplies for building and decorating
graham cracker “gingerbread” houses.
MAKING NOTE…
We’d love to have you on the Faith Relations
Committee! The Faith Relations Committee partners with faith groups
in Bucks County to promote Habitat for Humanity’s mission.
They focus on advocacy, diversity, fellowship and fundraising.
Members also assist with dedication ceremonies, speak to congregations,
and promote Habitat’s mission at special events. Members
of the Faith Relations Committee take on personal responsibility
for developing and maintaining a relationship with targeted churches
in Bucks County. As part of that relationship, the member becomes
the primary contact for 3-5 assigned churches. As that contact,
the committee member may be called upon to provide informational
audiovisual presentations about Habitat for Humanity to congregations,
committees and adult groups within the church. The Committee meets
on the first Thursday every month at 6pm at the Habitat office.
(Note: We will not be meeting in December and will resume our
schedule in January 2008.)
> Want to help
reach out to the faith community, but prefer to work behind the
scenes? We have need for Faith Relations Support Volunteers who
can help us with research, updating contact information, checking
church websites and more. Contact Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org
or 215.348.2204 x302 for more information.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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/update200712 (Arrives the first
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