Spring 2014 - Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity

Habitat Family Photo Album
Thanks to friends like you, these families were able to move into their
new Habitat for Humanity homes in 2013!
The Nededog Family
A safe shelter for a young family to raise their new son.
I
n 2012 the neighborhoods in the US territory of Guam,
where Noel and Randilyne lived were being rocked
with violent crime. The couple decided to move to West
Virginia, to live with Randilyne’s parents. Soon after their
move their son Nolin was born. They were excited about
providing him all the opportunities that living on the
main land in the US. Noel quickly picked up work as a chef. The old farmhouse they called
home, however, was less than ideal for raising a newborn. Living with Randilyne’s mother,
father, and younger brother made for cramped living quarters, while the structure of
the house itself was infested with mold. After months of hard work the Nededog’s were
officially handed the keys and moved into their new townhouse in River Bend Gardens.
Every day they put their key on their rearview mirror to remind themselves that they have
the power and courage to make a better life for their son.
The Anderson Family
From paycheck-to-paycheck and house-to-house,
no longer.
D
avid and Maggie, along with their kids, moved
back and forth from Virginia to West Virginia nearly
a dozen times in hopes of finding affordable housing.
Each time increasing housing costs would force them
to move. Already living paycheck-to-paycheck and
with each move costing them more time, money, and
headache. The Andersons had to make difficult and, for
most of us, impossible choices: do I buy food for my family this week, or do I pay
the heating bill so we can stay warm? When it seemed that all hope was lost, Maggie’s
sister, a Habitat Homeowner, encouraged the family to apply for a Habitat for Humanity
house. After months of hard work and hundreds of hours of Sweat Equity, The Andersons
moved into their new home two days before Christmas. Overjoyed that this was the last
time they’d ever have to move Maggie said, “This is the most amazing Christmas gift I
have ever received.”
The Thompson Family
A stable home for a child to thrive.
A
horrific car accident in 1997 changed Michele’s life
forever, leaving her disabled. Since then she has
struggled to raise her two sons, one of whom is now
married. Two years ago, however, times got especially
hard and Michele and her youngest son, Patrick, were
forced to move from one couch to another living with other
families. The constant moving and unstable living conditions made it difficult for Patrick
to both attend school or make any real academic progress. Michele applied and was
approved shortly thereafter. The Thompsons moved into their new home just a few
days before Christmas. Patrick now has a stable home and a room of his own. He can
make friends and not worry about having to move away from them. Michele wants to
say to all the volunteers and donors, “Thank you for all you do, giving of yourself to help
others in need. You are making dreams come true for families that need your help.”
Board of Directors:
Julian Arbuckle
Chairman
Jason Bauserman
Vice-Chairman
Mario Claro
Secretary
Bob Davis
Treasurer
Paul Jacoby
Bob Richardson
Laura Jane Walls
Staff:
Michelle Connor
Executive Director
Phil Rolleston
Special Projects Manager
Randy Brandt
Business Manager
LaVonne Hammett
Bookkeeper
Holly Champ
Family Selection Specialist
LeeAnn Shreve
Development Director
David Burgoyne
IT Specialist
Rose McFarlane
Work Camp Registrar
Tim Whetzel
Warehouse & Inventory
Mark Peiffer
Volunteer Center Host
Judy Fuller, Traci Mallow
Volunteer Coordinators
Danielle Findley, Tina Reel,
Kathie Holland
Family Support Specialists
Jerry Walls, Saprina Souza
Construction Supervisors
Donnie Delp, Perry Propst,
David Fuller, Aaron Pugh
Construction Crew Leaders
Mission Statement
Seeking to put God’s love into action,
Habitat for Humanity brings people together
to build homes, communities, and hope.
Vision Statement
A world where everyone has a decent
place to live.
Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity
P.O. Box 913 • Franklin, WV 26807
304-358-7642
www.almostheavenhabitat.org
Spring 2014
Letter from the Director
Building Homes and Hope for 25 Years
Calendar of Events:
Wednesday, February 5th
Spring Financial Peace
University Classes
This fun, dynamic, nine week class makes learning about
money fun. All of the Habitat for Humanity Partner Families
attend the class series, but these classes are also open to the
public. This course presents biblical, common sense, and
practical steps to get out of debt and more toward a more
solid financial future.
Sunday, February 9th
Collegiate Challenge Begins
We are expecting over 400 collegiate challenge volunteers
this Spring. Are you going to be among them? Visit www.
habitat.org/youthprograms/colchal for more information
and how to register.
Saturday, May 10th
National Women Build Day
What can a group of women do to address the poverty
housing crisis in Eastern West Virginia? Join us for our annual
Women Build event. A fun ladies day out and no construction
experience is required!
Saturday, June 14
Father’s Day Build
What are your Father’s Day weekend plans? We are inviting
all families to make the Saturday before Father’s Day, a
new tradition of volunteering as a family on a Habitat for
Humanity job site. This is a great opportunity for fathers
to share their building skills with their children and help a
family in need all in one day.
Monday, June 16th
Summer Build-A-Thon
Did you know that June is National Homeownership
Month? Help us to celebrate in style; starting the week of
June 15th we will begin Blitz Building five houses during
our Summer Build-A-Thon. Sign-up to volunteer today!
Monday, June 30th
Camp Wood Renovations Begin
Come help to renovate history! Camp Wood is a former
Civilian Conservation Camp and the new future Habitat for
Humanity Volunteer Center. When fully renovated Camp
Wood will host nearly 100 Workcamp volunteers each
week. Come Help Build it!
Happy New Year! It is time to both
celebrate and to reflect. With Spring
just around the corner we are actively
planning our construction projects,
readying job sites for 2014, and we
are celebrating a special milestone:
Our 25th Anniversary.
A
lmost Heaven Habitat for Humanity
was founded in 1989 by a group of
local concerned citizens who saw their
neighbors suffering from run-down
poverty housing. Since
then 150 families have
achieved the dream of
sustainable, affordable
homeownership and
more than 500 additional
families have had repairs
made to their existing
homes.
I am thankful to our
Founders for the courage
and vision to take on such
an audacious challenge
— creating communities
where everyone has a
decent place to live. I am
also thankful for the many
gifts of time, talent, and
treasure of those who
have faithfully supported
the Habitat for Humanity
mission over the past 25 years. We could
not have done this without you!
Over the years we have been blessed
with the partnership of more than 20,000
volunteers, nearly 1,000 churches, and
hundreds of businesses who share our
passion for providing shelter for people in
need. You have played a vital role and we
are counting on your continued support
in 2014.
Each year we are faced with the
sobering statistics that show how many
of our neighbors here in Appalachia live
in sub-standard housing. We see time and
time again how many people fall through
the cracks of government housing
programs and how little help is available
for those with this one dire need. Still it is good and necessary to pause
and reflect upon our 25th anniversary
milestone, because there is much to
celebrate — lives have been changed
and hope has been restored to many.
By learning from the past and building
upon this success, we
are inspired to share
our gifts and reach
out to more families
in need. Over the next
12 months we will
be celebrating and
serving 62 families
through new home
construction and critical
home repair. Everyone’s
support is necessary to
help the families in our
community that are still
suffering the debilitating
effects of sub-standard
and poverty housing.
Please continue to
remember those in
need and to continue
to support our lifeaffirming work, as we look toward the
realization of our Founders’ vision —
creating communities where everyone
has a decent place to live.
In Partnership,
Michelle L. Connor
Executive Director
Maple Street Celebration!
On January 17th, nine months after the initial
groundbreaking at our Maple Street subdivision in
Pocahontas County, West Virginia, three completed
homes were dedicated and the keys were handed
over to three very excited Partner Families.
Willie and Helen Hendrick together put in more
than 900 hours and the Hendrick family – Ray, Jennifer,
Justin, Dalton and Wyatt – put in more than 1,300 sweat
equity hours on their home and the homes of their
two new neighbors. Each of these families has learned
to work hand-in-hand to lift each other up. What were
three separate families is now one small and loving
community.
he house keys we gave to each of our Partner Families
Through their unity each of these families will now be
were entirely ordinary, but to a family that has never
able to spread that love, that cohesive feeling, amongst
owned a house before, those keys are precious metal. The
the larger community in Pocahontas County. Their story
dedication and love that all of our donors and volunteers
is a triumph of
have for our new
the spirit that we
homeowners,
can all share in,
combined
we all worked
with their own
together to make
courage and
it possible.
hard work, is
Jessica Snelson
what made all of
shared her
this possible.
appreciation to
The reason
the crowd that
that Habitat
had shown up
for Humanity
to celebrate the
is so successful
house blessings,
is because of
“I want to thank
individuals
everybody for
like you who
coming and
dedicate your
helping us,” she
time, your effort,
said through
your energy and
tears. “Me and
your money, and
my kids went this
give of your life,
winter without
to other families
heat, without
who are in
The three families and new Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity homeowners
water and now
need. Each of our
take part in a ribbon cutting at their home dedication. From left, the Hendrick
that’s something
Partner Families,
family: Ray, Jennifer, Wyatt, Justin and Dalton; Willie and Helen Hendrick; and
I don’t ever have
on Maple Street
the Snelson family, Jessica, Cordell and Shan. S. Stewart
to worry about
and beyond, are
again. I really
hardworking and
appreciate it. Everybody in this family has helped me a lot.
dedicated to providing their families with a better life.
[Habitat] is a family to me.”
They lovingly sacrifice significant portions of their time
Thanks to the financial support of generous volunteers
and energies not only to improve their own situation, but
and donors like you, all three of these families moved into
also to give their children a brighter future, to empower
their new, affordable, energy-efficient homes the last week
their friends, family, and communities to rally against the
in January. Your continued support is what is going to
“status quo” that is unsafe and unaffordable housing.
make this dream a reality for untold numbers of families in
Jessica, a single mom, put in over 400 sweat equity
the future, until everyone has access to safe and affordable
hours to provide her two young children with a safe
housing.
place to lay their heads at night, a place they can now call
Thanks to you those seemingly ordinary house keys
“Home.” Such an act of love for her children is no small
actually hold the opportunity for a bright, vibrant, safe, and
task when you don’t have someone else to help care for
financially sound future for each of our partner families. On
your kids. Jessica’s dedication and strength is beyond
behalf of the Maple Street community, we thank you.
commendable, beyond admirable.
T
AHHFH Plans Grand Opening of ReStore
Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity is opening its
ReStore in White Sulphur Springs, WV, on April 3.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home
improvement stores and donation centers that sell donated
items at a fraction of the retail price. Habitat for Humanity
ReStores are proudly owned and operated by local Habitat for
Humanity affiliates, and proceeds are used to build homes,
community, and hope locally and around the world.
Shop!
Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer, homeowner, renter,
landlord, contractor, interior designer, environmentalist
or treasure hunter, make the ReStore your first stop when
shopping for your home or next renovation project. The
prices are great and you never know what you will find.
Volunteer!
Remodeling, cleaning out, down-sizing or just getting organized?
Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity ReStore can help you
declutter your home, work space or business. We put the
proceeds from selling your donations to good use by building
homes and hope in your community and around the world.
Though each Habitat ReStore is unique, we accept donations of
household goods, furniture, appliances and building materials.
Your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a place to put
your talents to work. From customer service to furniture
repair, the Habitat ReStores offers volunteer opportunities
geared toward individual interests and skills. By giving
your time, you can help your Habitat ReStore do more to
support local building projects for those in need in your
community. If you are interested in becoming a ReStore
volunteer, please email [email protected]
or call 304-358-7642.
The Gift of Home
Habitat’s Revolving Fund
As many of you already know Appalachia has
experienced some of the coldest weather and
heavy snowfalls in memory.
Your donations today live on for years to
come through our revolving Fund
for Humanity!
Got Stuff? We want it!
F
or most people, a home is a haven from the weather
and a place of comfort, but for thousands of families in
Appalachia, winter poses many threats – water freezing,
skyrocketing propane costs, woodstove and flu fires – just to
name a few.
We hear new stories daily
of how families are without
water because their plumbing
lines froze in their poorly
insulated house, or how
children come to school too
tired to learn because they
were too cold to sleep because
their home is poorly insulated
or without a an adequate
heating system. These are the
stories that keep us from resting on our accomplishments.
As you are thinking about and planning your charitable
contributions in 2014, please give generously to the life
affirming work of Habitat for Humanity.
Y
our support of Habitat
for Humanity builds
more than houses. Quality
housing and homeownership
have proven to have a positive effect on
healthcare, education, crime, and our economy. By helping
hardworking, low-income families build and buy safe,
decent, affordable homes, you are not only impacting local
deserving families and their children, but you are making a
difference throughout our entire community!