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Welcome
to the April edition of the Habitat Update!
Spring cleaning has taken on even greater importance around the Habitat office as we prepare for our big move happening this summer. By July, we hope to be in our new Chalfont location, along with our brand new ReStore. Be sure to stay tuned to our website for all of the latest relocation and grand opening news.
In this month's news, you'll see that Women Build 2008 is in full swing. There's lots of ways to get involved, and we hope you do so! Also, our search for a Development Director is still on. Please, help spread the word and send in those resumes.
Thanks for being a part of Habitat for Humanity's vision -- enjoy this month's news!
Take care,
Mikaela, Marketing & Public Relations Director
215.348.2204 x306 | m.martin@habitatbucks.org
AS OF APRIL...- Number of hours logged at Emerald Hollow to date: 98,484
- Number of volunteers at Emerald Hollow to date: 10,550
- Groups on site: Faith Christian Academy National Honor Society, Family of God Lutheran Church, Gilmore & Associates, NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc., Women Build
- Groups Providing Lunch: Blooming Glen Mennonite Church, 4H Beef Club, NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc, Brownie Troop 2530
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| WELCOMING... |
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Daniel Gicuki and Salome Thiga, along with their children, Brian and Bernice, went to settlement April 11th. The family completed a total of 161.5 hours of sweat equity, including some hours donated by their friends. The Gicuki-Thiga family moved from their one-bedroom apartment into their three-bedroom townhouse, and they are now homeowners! Welcome to the Emerald Hollow community. We are
very excited to introduce a new member of our staff, Jesse Raphial.  Jesse started with us on April 21 as our ReStore Manager. He brings
with him many years of retail experience, most recently as the manager
of a Goodwill Store. While waiting for our move and eventual store
opening, he is busy planning for the store. We all feel very blessed to
have Jesse as part of the Habitat Bucks team! > Send Jesse a welcome message at j.raphial@habitatbucks.org or 215.348.2204 x303.
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| GIVING THANKS.. |
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Thank you to the staff at the Warrington Lowe's for hosting a series of clinics in basic construction skills for Habitat for Humanity's Women Build volunteers!
We love our Women Build Sponsors! Thank you to our
$10,000 Leadership Builders, Patricia Kind Foundation, and our
$5000 Independence Builders, First Savings Bank of Perkasie, Jones Apparel and Lowe's. |
| IN PARTNERSHIP... |
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Are you
interested in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County?
Along with our regular volunteer opportunities, we are also looking for
individuals with specific skills, who are willing to devote their time
and talent to our committees. We are currently looking for those who
have some expertise in the following areas:
- Legal
- Real Estate
- Construction
- Fundraising
- Leadership
- Development
- Faith
- Government Relations
If you
have expertise in one of these areas, a passion for the mission of
Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County and can give us about six hours
per month, Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org or 215-348-2204 x302.
Join
the Habitat for Humanity staff! An employment opportunity was recently
posted on our website; we're searching for a new Development Director,
whose position has a focus on Major Gifts and requires experience in
the fundraising field. Read more details and how-to-apply instructions
at http://habitatbucks.org/employment.asp. >
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| ON SITE... |
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At Emerald Hollow, Cluster 10 has one unit left under construction and will settle in early June. Cluster 9 is well under way with framing and trusses have been delivered. Permits were submitted for our very last cluster in the neighborhood, number 13.
The Bucks County Association of Realtors (BCAR) was out on site Mar. 27, working hard on the home for Mary Beth & Corey Fisher.  As part of the Neighbor to Neighbor program, BCAR has committed to raising $100,000 and has contributed the sweat equity alongside the family to bring a dream of homeownership to reality. The REALTORS have passed the $85,000 mark and will proudly present the keys to this family this summer.
On Sat., Apr. 19, day sponsor Gilmore & Associates joined Habitat at Emerald Hollow for their third build day! Employees and family spent the day framing and laying block for garage foundations.
 First-time day sponsor NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc. made a financial contribution and donated the time of nearly 20 of their employees on Wed., Apr. 23. The group spent a sunny day building interior and exterior walls and installing shaft wall at Emerald Hollow. (Group pictured at right.)
 Habitat's first 2008 Women Build Day was held on Sat., Apr. 26. Over 20 women (pictured at left) joined Habitat partner families at Emerald Hollow to build walls, install shaft wall, and lay block, led by Habitat's Women Build crew leaders. Steering Committee member Mary Meister and Brownie Troop 2530 (pictured below) provided a delicious lunch for the workers. There's still lots of Women Build fun happening this year! To learn more, visit the Women Build page habitatbucks.org/womenbuild.asp, or contact Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org; 215.348.2204 x302.
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| JOIN US... |
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 Save
the date for this year's Women Build-a-thon from Sat. June 7th through
Sat. June 14th (we will be closed on Sunday)! Women Build-a-thon is a
very special week, one dedicated solely to women, on the Habitat for
Humanity of Bucks County construction site. Participants of Women
Build-a-thon gather sponsor pledges to build at Emerald Hollow during
the week. This year, Women Builders have been challenged to collect a
total of 2000 hours (equivalent to one house) and $30,000 (7 days of
building) during Build-a-thon Week. Participants can sign up to build
for the entire week or just for a day. Ready to register? Please
contact Laura at l.mcclellan@habitatbucks.org or 215-348-2204 x302.
Mark your calendars:
- Women Build will be at Strawberry Festival at Peddlers' Village!
Come see us at our booth at the Strawberry Festival May 3 and 4 at the Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA In addition to providing information and selling our own Sweatshirts, house pins, and taking orders for their latest building products, the Women Builders will be raffling off a wide variety of baskets. Come check it out!
- Also on May 4, A Women Build demonstration will be taking place at Gracious Living
in Lahaska. This year the Women Build crew leaders are leading the
construction of wooden plant stands and other projects. Some of this
building will take place right in the public view on Sunday, from 11am - 3pm at Gracious Living in Lahaska. Products will be available
for sale or you can place an order. Come and see for yourself how fun
it is!
- Blue Tulip of Valley Square, Warrington is hosting a shopping event on Sat., May 10 from 10am - 3pm. Simply mention Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County and 15% of the proceeds from your purchase will be donated to the Women Build project! Blue Tulip is a fabulous store for those last minute Mother's Day and Teacher gifts everyone is looking for. > Click here for a flyer.
- We will host a ReStore information table at Rice's Market on Tues., May 27 from 7am - 1pm. Be sure to stop by and say hello!
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| OUT AND ABOUT... |
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Women building houses, now that's an idea!
Women Builders Alicia Wilhelm and Flo Kelly were sharing the fun with a nail driving contest during the Bucks Ideas Expo at Delaware Valley College on Apr. 17. Thanks to our support from Lowe's in Warrington, we hosted a booth highlighting our wonderful partnership with Lowe's and the upcoming events for Women Build 2008, including our Build-a-thon in June. |
| MAKING NOTE... |
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It's your last chance! 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 on May 8. 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. Don't miss out on the raffle of a fabulous Fall foliage weekend getaway in Vermont, sponsored by State Farm Agent Shawn Velez!  Purchase your tickets now for the chance to win a this four-day, three-night trip for two including accommodations at Hollister Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast in Marshfield, Vermont from Oct. 2 through 5, $100 gas card and a half-gallon of the farms very own maple syrup! Tickets are $20 each and are available online at www.habitatbucks.org/shopProducts.asp or they can be purchased at the Habitat office. The drawing will be held on Sat., June 14 at the closing ceremony of the Women Build-a-thon. You do not need to be present to win. All raffle proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County's Women Build program!
As
mentioned in the previous newsletter, Habitat for Humanity will next be
working on new home designs for the Bristol-area with a focus on
sustainable/green building. Also, we're actively looking for land or
properties in the southern end of the county. If any one has
information about possible projects please contact Mike Fallon at the
Habitat office; 215-348-2204 x 312 or m.fallon@habitatbucks.org. We're moving! Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County will move its offices to Chalfont this summer. The new facility provides new office space, much-needed warehouse space and the room to open our very own ReStore operation. Based on our successful ReSale events, the ReStore will be open to the
public and sell donated, new and gently used construction materials
and home furnishings. Stay tuned! |
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It's about...
Act! Give!
Share!
Habitat Bucks is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization
that extends the opportunity to purchase simple, decent, affordable homes to
local families who would not otherwise have that chance. Three key resources
are necessary in order to make homeownership a reality for Habitat partner
families: funds, volunteers and advocacy. |
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