Dear Habitat Supporter,
Welcome to the December edition of the Habitat Update. I hope
the holidays found you well, and left you sublimely filled with
the joy of another year passing. Habitat for Humanity is gearing
up for some big changes in 2008, most notably the hiring
of new staff for our ReStore. Could you be the next member
of our awesome team? We’re looking for a ReSale
manager, see details below the Welcoming section below!
If you haven’t made your winter contribution to Habitat
for Humanity yet, feel free to do so on our website. Remember,
individual donations account for 55% of our operating
budget. We cannot exist without your support
– your ongoing generosity is the cornerstone of our mission!
Please take this opportunity to make a contribution at www.habitatbucks.org/donate.asp.
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 December
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).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DECEMBER 2007 UPDATE
• VOLUNTEER
OF THE MONTH: John Frock
• GROUPS
ON SITE: Bucks County Community College, Abington
Friends School
• GROUPS PROVIDING LUNCHES:
Indian Creek Church of the Brethren, Ridge Valley United Church
of Christ, Cub Scout Pack 133, Blooming Glen Mennonite Church
• NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS
LOGGED AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE: 96,032
• NUMBER
OF VOLUNTEERS AT EMERALD HOLLOW TO DATE:10,429
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WELCOMING…
The Family Selection Committee and Family Program
Department welcome two new families: Alice Zander
and her daughter, Beniah, who live in Quakertown, and Daniel
Karanja and Milkah Kaguima, with their
children, Irene and Alex, who live in Bensalem.
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…
December was a slow month for the construction staff with all
of the holiday festivities, but we are moving forward on Clusters
9 and 10 with settlement coming soon for unit 48 in January.
> Visit our
Construction News website at www.habitatbucks.org/constructionnews.asp.
IN PARTNERSHIP…
Through Habitat for Humanity International’s Cars
for Homes program (www.habitat.org/carsforhomes/),
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County received $10,952
in 2007! Car donations to Habitat’s Cars for Homes program
help Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the locality of the donor.
It is quick and easy to donate a car, truck, boat, RV, motorcycle,
construction equipment or other automobile, and vehicle donations
may be eligible for tax deduction purposes.
> Think
you have a vehicle to donate? Call Cars for Homes toll free at
877.277.4344 or www.donationwizard.com/donate.php?ref=habitat.
Habitat Bucks Welcomes Physician’s Endoscopy of
Doylestown as a day sponsor in January. The entire staff
will be brave the cold to participate in three build days in January;
on the 16, 23 and 30.
> For
information about participating in a build day, contact Laura
at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org
or 215-348-2204 x302.
The Clark Family Foundation recently made a
$1,500 contribution to Habitat for Humanity.
The Clark Family Foundation has been supporting the work of our
affiliate since 2000, donating nearly $12,000 in seven years –
surely we consider them one of our oldest and dearest friends!
They are true partners in the fight against substandard
housing in our communities and we’re grateful for their
dedication to, and continued support of, Habitat for Humanity’s
mission. Thank you, Clark Family Foundation!
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.
JOIN US…
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,
so grab your sister, mom, best friend or coworker and RSVP to
Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org or 215-348-2204 x302.
> Visit our
Women Build website at www.habitatbucks.org/womenbuild.asp.
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.
> 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.
GIVING THANKS…
Carol Richardson and Karen Platts
with Coldwell Banker Hearthside Realtors of Newtown
(www.cbhearthside.com)
showed tremendous initiative and put together a silent auction
to benefit the Neighbor to Neighbor program at
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. They received generous support
from local merchants in Newtown and had a wonderful selection
of gift baskets that generated over $1,500. We
are grateful for your support and all the ways you help to communicate
the importance of affordable housing in our community. We love
our Realtors!
> Visit
our Neighbor to Neighbor website at www.habitatbucks.org/neighbor.asp.
Larry Jones and Friends hosted a rockin’
night at the Red Stallion in Warrington on Dec.
12 to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County! Larry and
his family have been touched by Habitat’s mission and wanted
a chance to pay it forward. He did an amazing job generating raffle
prizes from local merchants and put together a terrific group
of bands that donated their performances. Thanks to all who made
this evening come together!
Thank you to Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce
(www.centralbuckschamber.com)
for the $1,500 Business Cares grant, which provided
$25 gift cards for homeowner and partner families. We appreciate
your continued generosity!
Thank you to first-time donor, Hatboro Federal Savings
Bank (www.hatborofed.com/),
for donating $2,000 this month to the mission
of Habitat for Humanity!
Thank you to Abington Friends School students
for participating in a build day on Dec. 8 and donating $1,000
to Habitat for Humanity! 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. Uniquely, the
students raised funds in part by holding a formal pasta dinner.
> Visit our
News page to see a photo from the students’ work day, www.habitatbucks.org/news.asp.
The Bucks-Montgomery chapter of National Association
of the Remodeling Industry (NARI, www.bucksmontnari.org/)
is providing gifts for our Habitat kids this holiday season. Thank
you for your continuous support and your generosity. The Family
Program Department also extends its gratitude to Habitat staff
and volunteers for contributing to the toy donations.
Thank you to all who participated in our annual Wrap
Fest on Dec. 18! Attendees wrapped 73 gifts
for the Habitat kids (ages 12 and younger). A fun time was enjoyed
by all! Thanks also to the elves and carolers who made the Emerald
Hollow gift delivery a special event on Dec. 19, joining our very
special Santa, Wally Dolan, and his number one
holiday elf, Jean Dolan, in spreading holiday
joy.
The gingerbread houses constructed at the annual Christmas
Carnival on Dec. 8, would not have been possible without
the wonderful contribution of empty milk cartons from the students
at Kutz Elementary and candy from CVS
Pharmacy. Thank you!
OUT AND ABOUT…
The Family Program Department attended the annual Christmas
Carnival at Quakertown United Methodist Church,
an Upper Bucks distribution site for Toys for Tots, on Saturday
Dec. 8. Nancy and Stefanie facilitated the “construction”
of 123 graham cracker “gingerbread”
houses.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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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