Lee Dorn settled on her home Jan. 18!  She and her children are eager to move into a home without the problems they faced in the home they were renting, which contributed to poor health in the family. Welcome to Emerald Hollow, Lee, James, Devon, Sydney and Shelby!

We appreciate our Faith Partners who continue to provide us consistent support as part of their mission.  We are grateful to all who included Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County in their year-end gifts for 2007.  Thank you to: Doylestown Presbyterian Church, Bensalem United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church of Deep Run, New Britain Baptist Church, Ridge Valley United Church of Christ, Neshaminy-Warwick Presbyterian Church, Pleasantville United Church of Christ, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, and St. Paul's Lutheran Church for your mission gifts.  We are honored to be the beneficiary of your mission efforts. We look forward to the chance to join our efforts to serve the community in 2008!

For Don Roberts, Althea Kieffer and the rest of the crew at Doylestown Transfer & Abstract, who prepare the paperwork for our settlements. We appreciate your care and concern for each transaction, and we thank you for being part of the Habitat family.  And for Peter Thompson, attorney at law, and Judy Benson, his right-hand woman, who prepare all of the mortgage documents for each family. This has become quite a lengthy process over the years, and we thank you for your dedication to our organization and the families we serve.

The gift that keeps on giving!  Thompson Memorial Presbyterian of New Hope hosted their annual Alternative Gift Market and generated over $4,700 for Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. It is a wonderful way to show someone you love how special they are.  We so appreciate your outstanding support over the years; thank you from our Habitat families to yours!

Join us for the next Home Dedication at Emerald Hollow on Mar. 13 at 7pm.  This is the very best part of the Habitat mission!  Celebrate with staff and volunteers as we present five families with the keys to their new homes,  Following dedication, the himes will be open to tour, and light refreshments will be available.  Entrance to Emerald Hollow is at the 1700 block of Creamery Rd., Quakertown.  You've pounded nails, now you can "pound" our families.  Just bring a pound of non-perishable goods (food, cleaning product, etc.) for one of the  new homeowners' pantries. 

>  From the Calendar.

Women Build 2008 is under way!  Two interest Meetings were held this month and we were very pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm at both.  A big thank you to Doylestown United Methodist Church for the use of their facilities. If you were unable to attend either meeting you are still welcome to get involved; contact Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org or 215.348.2204 x302 for more information.  Please consider joining the Women Build Steering Committee.  This phenomenal group of women coordinates the behind-the-scenes work of the program, including planning special events and organizing building projects.

>  From Women Build.

BucksCounty Elementary Students understand the words "to serve:"  Martin Luther Day service projects were conducted at John Barclay Elementary and BuckinghamFriendsSchool to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County.  We had a very productive group of kids and their families.  Their efforts ranged from building projects, to donations of first aid supplies and snacks for volunteers, to learning how Habitat extends the opportunity to purchase a simple decent affordable home to families that might not otherwise have a chance. Habitat relies strictly on the generosity and commitment of students and their families to make our distinctive homeownership program a reality for families in our community.  This is the true meaning of Act!, Give! Share!, and we honor all of you who helped with this day!

> From Youth Involvement

Want to get away? How does a seven-day cruise to paradise sound to you? Be one of only 500 to buy a chance to cruise the Caribbean on the Maiden Voyage of the Ruby Princess. This trip includes a seven-day cruise for two to Bahamas, Jamaica, Grand Caymans and CozumelMexico, air fair, on-board meals and activities, and $500 spending money! Raffle tickets are on sale now for $25; the winner will be drawn in May or once all tickets are sold out. All proceed benefit Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. Don't be left out! Buy your chance to win, and start dreaming of Cruising for Habitat!  Contact Kelly Wenhold at 215.956.9176 or kelly@bucksrealtor.com to get your ticket.

Have you heard?  All holiday cards are being sold at drastically reduced prices.  You can get yours now by visiting habitatbucks.org/shopProducts.asp!

Building program update:  Plans for development of property on Colonial Avenue in Bristol Townshiphave been submitted for land development and zoning variances.  Tentative plans are for six town homes all being built to meet or exceed the Energy Star standards. Dave Hartke of Stampfl Hartke Associates LLC has agreed to assist Habitat with the design of their new home model for this project. Dave is a registered architect who also is LEED certified.