Good afternoon.  I hope you're all having a great week. I'm writing to give you a heads-up about big Habitat activity happening in Richmond this Friday, Saturday and Sunday (in addition to the Linden St and Washington Ave builds), just in case you're out and about and have a moment to stop by and say "thank you." This will be at Westside Christian Church (1432 Fairlane Drive).  This is the church that is donating the materials and building the walls for our next homeowner (assuming they choose that floor plan....  We think it will be Ms. Stone and her two little girls who will build with us, likely on Flint Road).  The church has done this for us before, through Crossroads Mission. On Friday they'll have the lumber delivered to the church and make all the cuts.  On Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. until about 3 p.m. they'll build the walls and stand them up so it looks like a house.  On Sunday after church they'll load up all the walls (with the help of Terry and the volunteers Wendy has scheduled) and move them to our warehouse where they will wait to be part of someone's home. From what I understand, we've had only minimal communication with these folks when they've donated and volunteered with us before, so it would be great if they knew we were aware of their work and felt more connected with us and the families we all serve. I will stop by over the weekend to talk with Pastor Mike Simpson (I finally got to meet him today) and make sure they know we appreciate their huge donation of lumber/materials and their efforts.  If you're out and about and feel inclined to do the same, I know they'd appreciate it.  If not this weekend, please say thanks if you run across any of their folks in the future. Thank you for all you do for Habitat! Best, Judy Judy Flavell Executive Director Habitat for Humanity of Madison & Clark Counties (859) 625-9208 (859) 625-2223 (cell) habitatcountyed@bellsouth.net

Keeping in Touch

Friends,

 

There are a couple of fundraisers for Habitat coming up soon, so wanted to let you know about them.

 

1. The Rotary Club is holding a Chili Cook-off at the Richmond Center (new Richmond Shopping Center near I 75) this coming Saturday, October 2, from noon to 6:00.  There will be chili cookin' and tastin', music and all proceeds benefit Habitat.
2. Baldwin Farms, 3 1/2 miles out Tates Creek road from Main Street.  Huge pumpkin patch, hay maze, local honey, sorghum and jams and lots, lots more.  Baldwin Farms is supporting Habitat with a donation "bird house" near the giant pumpkin.  Open Daily 9/24 to 10/31.  www.baldwinfarmsky.com   Bring your kids or grandkids for a fun fall outing, and support Habitat as well.

And the last bit of news  - we have a new 800 number 1-877-522-9208.

 

In Partnership,

Helen Ward, President

 

 

Keeping in Touch

Keeping in Touch – September, 2010

I have so many exciting things to share about Habitat that I hardly know where to start.

We have a new Director of Development on board.  Her name is Lara Bissett and I am very excited about what she brings to us.  She has been on the job just a little over one week and has already met with folks from Lexington's Habitat, attended a Kentucky Housing Conference in Louisville, met with Leadership Madison County, and that is just the things I remember right now.

We have a home well under construction in Richmond on Linden Street.  We have just begun work on a second home in Berea.  Obviously if you want to swing a hammer, just give Wendy in the office (625-9208) a call and she will let you know how you can help.

We are developing partnerships with Madison County Home Energy Improvement on their fall "Repair Affair."  We have agreed to partner with Hope's Wings to help build a storage facility for them. 

Please join me in celebrating this new vitality.

In Partnership,

Helen Ward, President, Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties

Keeping in Touch

 

 

Many of you joined us in the Celebration of the completion of 24 homes in Hope Estates on Saturday, August 14.   It was certainly a hot day, but a wonderful day.  We had music, we had memories, we had conversations with long-time friends, we had presentations and we had food.  Thanks to all who could make the event, and even greater thanks to all who, over the years, helped make this dream come true!

 

We enjoy celebrating the past, but are just as eager to move forward into the future.  The building of the home for the Smith/Vickers family is underway in Richmond and we will soon be starting on the home for Bobbi Jo Knuckles and her daughters in Berea.  These homes will progress almost simultaneously, so there are lots of places and times you can help.

 

Call the office at 625-9208 and check in with Judy or Wendy if you have some free time.

 

Thanks for your continuing support,

Helen Ward, President

Keeping in Touch

Habitat Friends,   On Saturday, August 14, Habitat for Humanity will celebrate the completion of the 24 homes in Hope Estates, Berea.   So many people, so many generous donations, and so many hours went in to this wonderful neighborhood; we believe it shows the true spirit of Habitat for Humanity.   The event will be from approximately 1:00 to 7:00 at Hope Estates, which is off Scaffold Cane Road, south of Berea.   The program and presentations will be at 2:00.  Otis and Sandra Jones, from the Farris Foundation are coming.  The Jones and the Foundation were so much a part of our Hope Estates beginnings.  They are eager to renew acquaintances.   We hope to install some playground equipment throughout the afternoon; we plan to enjoy some music, and at 5:30 we will have a cookout with pot luck side dishes.   Please come and join us on this joyous occasion.  We suggest you bring a lawn chair or two and if you come for the dinner, bring a side dish to share.

Keeping in Touch

I hope everyone used the holiday weekend to enjoy whatever each wanted.  Personally, I am sore from gardening, but enjoyed those cool mornings.

 

At our Habitat office, there is a new voice on the phone and at the front desk.  Wendy Metcalf began work on Monday, June 28 as our Administrative Assistant, replacing Layne Hawley, who resigned.  Wendy is doing well fielding calls, finding files, etc.  If you have a chance please welcome her into our family.

 

Members of the Construction Team attended a Kentucky Habitat  "Green Build Summit" last week and now are eager to put some new, energy efficient methods to work – a great plus for our homeowners in the long term.  We also have received a grant, which will give us some immediate funds for meeting certain energy standards. 

 

Our next build should be in Berea and start within 2-3 weeks.  We've been able to acquire land in Winchester and in Berea; BUT we are still anxious to find lots in Richmond.

 

We'll keep you informed.

 

In partnership,

Helen Ward

Keeping in Touch

Habitat Friends

 

I want to let all of you know that our Habitat affiliate will have a big presence at the International Festival in Berea, April 30 to May 2.

 

One – we are one of the food booths – ours has a slightly German flavor, so stop by and purchase a brat or a pretzel.

 

Two – on Saturday, May 1, we are holding a Woman Build right along with the Festival and will use all "woman-power" to build a shed for one of our families.

 

If any of you want to volunteer some time . . .

 

For the food booth, call Helen Ward at 624-2338, or send an e-mail to hlwedw@aol.com

 

For the Woman Build, call the office at 625-9208 and ask to speak to Judy or Layne.

 

We look forward to seeing you at the Festival.

 

In partnership,

Helen Ward 

Keeping in Touch

 

Friends of Habitat,

 

The Habitat board and staff members participated in a half-day retreat yesterday and what an exciting time it was.  We shared stories of life events that had a great impact on us.  Judy Flavell led us with information and ideas she gained this past week at a conference in Atlanta.  (NALO - New Affiliate Leaders Orientation). More importantly, we began to "vision" what this Habitat affiliate could look like in 3 to 4 years.  There is still work to do to make our plans clear as we move into the future, but the possibilities are very exciting.

 

Closer to now – the construction team is finishing up the renovations at Deanna Sullivan's home and she should be moving back in this weekend.

 

After finishing up a few odds and ends at Deanna's, the construction crew will move back to Hope Estates to finish up some landscaping at those last three homes – Spring is coming!

 

After that, we plan to begin building on our next home – I will keep you informed!

 

In partnership,

Helen Ward

Keeping in touch

Habitat friends,

 

Judy Flavell started yesterday, February 22, 2010, as the new Executive Director.  I hope you will give her a week and then stop by the office to meet Judy.  She is bringing some wonderful excitement and skills to our affiliate.  Several of us attended Judy's retirement party at KET in Lexington, and we can attest that she is well thought of.  We also were able to meet Judy's sister and mother, both of whom are affiliated with the Louisville Metro Habitat affiliate.

 

The Construction team is busy right now making improvements to Deanna Sullivan's home to make it more accessible for her.  That work should be completed within just a few weeks.

 

BUT after that, we don't know exactly what we will be doing.  We are in desperate need of land – especially in Clark County and in Berea.

 

We have a couple of possibilities for lots and land in Richmond, and we want to try to expand our work in Waco as soon as possible.

 

Please keep your eyes and ears open and let us know if anything comes to your attention.

 

In partnership,

Helen

Keeping in Touch

 Habitat friends,

 

I am excited to share with all of you that our Affiliate has a new Executive Director—Judy Flavell.  Judy was highly recommended by the Personnel Committee to the Board of Directors, and her hiring was approved at the December meeting.  Judy has accepted the position and will be starting some time in the month of February.

 

Judy is a resident of Waco, is active with PeaceCraft in Berea, and is currently working at KET in Lexington.  She will be retiring from her position at KET and as soon as details on her retirement can be worked out, she will be joining our Affiliate.

 

The quality of applicants for the position was excellent, and we are excited to have Judy "on board" soon! 

 

In partnership,

 

Helen