|
Second Annual Interfaith Build Info!
The First Annual Interfaith Build was a huge success and we are already gearing up for the Second Annual Interfaith Build event. The 2009 event was kicked off on September 11, 2009 with a goal of involving 20 churches and/or faith-based groups. By dedication, we had 27 churches and faith-based groups participating in the Interfaith Build, six of whom contributed financial support as well as volunteer labor. In 2010, our goal for the Second Annual Interfaith Build is to include 40 churches and/or faith-based groups with each group contributing something financially and providing some volunteer labor. It is our goal to fully sponsor the house with churches and faith-based groups. There will be an informational meeting about the next Interfaith Build event in April. To receive information as it becomes available, contact Gretchen Clanton, Faith Relations Coordinator at gclanton@habitatmobile.org or call Gretchen at 251-476-7171.
2010 Women Build!
You have asked, we have answered! We have received so many phone calls inquiring about whether or not we will be holding a Women Build this year. The answer is a resounding YES! We love Women Build; it is one of our favorite events! Because of this and because of all the community interest, we will be launching our 2010 Women Build in May. Stay tuned for more information about the kickoff and how you can get involved. In the meantime, if you are a woman who is interested in helping us build, give Jennifer a call at 251-476-7171 and talk to her about volunteering on our worksite or starting to assemble your team for the 2010 Women Build!
Corporate Team Building Program
Companies often spend a great deal of money helping their employees learn how to be a better team. If your company is considering an expensive retreat, check with Habitat first for an inexpensive alternative and a great day of team building! We offer your employees a chance to build a house together, while also building teamwork, character, and trust with each other. For more information about our new Corporate Team Build Program and what we can do for your company, call Anita at 251-476-7171.
Donate to Habitat Today!
Every little bit helps, especially when a community works together to build a house. While we normally focus on volunteering as the perfect way to help Habitat, we also need your help in another way. Donations to Habitat help us build more houses too! We need your financial contribution to help us make safe, decent, affordable housing a reality for more families in 2010. Please consider clicking on the donate button at the top of this email today and making a contribution. Every little bit helps!
Habitat Public Outreach
HFHMC participated in three community events in January. Information on housing qualifications, volunteering, faith relations and donating was provided to members of the public at MLK Day of Service in Lyons Park, the annual service event Changing the Next Generation at Space 301, and the Festival of Hope at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. An estimated 5,000 members of the public received information about Habitat from department coordinators at these events.
Collegiate Challenge 2010 Featured Groups
There are two featured groups this month. They are both from Ottawa, Canada. The University of Guelph is a returning group. They worked with us last year in Cedar Point subdivision on Brenda Kidd’s house. Carlton University has never worked with us. We want to give both groups a warm Mobile welcome, and thank them for traveling so far to work with us and help our community! Both groups are scheduled to arrive the third week of February, and will be here just in time to celebrate Mardi Gras with us. The groups will work with us in the Hillsdale subdivision this year. The students are extremely enthusiastic, and cannot wait to get here and get started.
January Volunteer Recap
January was a whirlwind of activity and a great indicator of things to come. Volunteers were out in full force last month! Peace Church (Wisconsin), Althoff Catholic High School (Illinois), and the Twin Cities Affiliate (Minnesota) joined with local groups like the Del-Teens, AED from University of South Alabama, Bayou Sara Baptist Church and Goodwill Easter Seals GED program to help us in Irvington, Fairview and Hillsdale. The Care-A-Vanners continued to work hard on the two houses in Theodore. Both houses have some siding up, and will be ready for interior painting soon. The team from St. Paul’s Episcopal School has almost finished the house on Line Street, and we are hoping for a dedication set earlier than originally planned! Students from local high schools and colleges also turned out to do some work, as well as families and other individuals. Our “Tuesday Group”, who work more than Tuesdays, have kept us going, so please give Ted and the guys a big thank you when you see them! Several volunteers chose to take advantage of the Disney Give a Day, Get a Day program. There were a total of 41 registrations entered in January, and most have already received a free Disney pass.
February Volunteer Update
The houses in Irvington, Theodore and Fairview will be sheet rocked in the first or second week of February, so volunteers will be needed in those areas for interior painting, flooring and carpentry work. Two houses are in the roofing and siding stage in Hillsdale, as well. Volunteers from Ohio, Canada, Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are on the schedule to come and start two more houses this month.
We would like to extend a warm “Welcome Back” to Tom Gusler and Don and Sharon Newkirk, some of our regular volunteers that have come to work with us for the whole month of February. Tom, Don and Sharon will be working at several of the sites, so please come out and work along with them. Volunteers are needed for all of these projects Tuesday-Saturday, 8am-4pm. Please call (251) 476-7171 and speak with Jennifer or Matt to schedule some time at the worksites.
*A quick reminder that we will not work on Tuesday, February 16, in observation of Fat Tuesday. |
.jpg)