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Habichat: A Newsletter from 
May, 2009 Growing Communities for 20 Years | |
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, May 30, 10:00AM - 11:00AM: Welcome Home Dedication Reception for Ebony Kirtz at the Carriage Stone Homes
Saturday, June 6, 9:30AM: Love in Action Tour, 848 Cherry Street, Norristown
Saturday, June 6, 9:00AM: Habitat Garage Sale, at the warehouse across from our offices at 848 Cherry Street, Norristown
Saturday, June 13, 9:30AM: Love in Action Tour, First Baptist Church, 301 King Street, Pottstown.
Sunday, June 14, 8:30AM: Oy Vey 5K at Beth Or Congregation, contact Joan Kober Kosportyjoan@comcast.net for details
Saturday, June 20, 9:30AM: Love in Action Tour, Linden Avenue in North Hills.
Saturday, June 20, 1:00PM: Welcome Home Reception for Christine Isaac at the Carriage Stone Homes
Sunday, June 28, 1:00PM: 20th Anniversary Homecoming Picnic for volunteers and families. Lower Perkiomen Park, see below for details. | |
 The Greatest Gift
Habitat International has been in the press recently with the wonderful news about a 100 million dollar gift given by the President of the International Board, J. Ronald Terwilliger. This gift is significant in so many ways that I can barely conceive the impact it will make on the world. First, it is the largest gift ever made to a human services organization like Habitat. Second, it will mean 70 million dollars in funding for a micro-finance programs in other countries, eventually helping more than 60,000 families improve their living conditions abroad. For affiliates in the United States like Montgomery County, it will mean a chance to apply for funds from an endowment created with the remaining 30 million dollars in about five years or so.
I have thought about this gift and have been asking myself "if I could make a significant gift, what would it look like?" For Ron, it meant that he would "help ensure a leveraged, sustained impact beyond [his] lifetime and inspire others to make the commitment to support affordable housing." For me, as for many of you, it might take shape in a different way - whether it be your own financial resources, your time, a home or something else. To each of us, a significant gift means something different, but no less impactful.
In this issue of Habichat, we are taking a look at some of the significant gifts that have been bestowed recently - the financial support to start another home in North Hills, the gift of community to build that home, the gift of time given to our cause and the gift of talent by our many supporters. As you read these stories, I ask you to think about this question "if you were ready to make a significant gift to Habitat, what would it look like?"
Brenda Egolf-Fox
Executive Director |
| Groundbreaking on Linden Avenue!
 On Thursday, May 21, members of the Faith Builders partnership gathered together for a wonderful groundbreaking ceremony at what will eventually be 3104 Summit Avenue. Representatives from many of the congregations and groups were present to welcome Chuck and Sherry Rivers into what will be their new home about a year from now.
 Rabbis from three participating synagogues (Beth Or, Or Hadash, Temple Sinai) opened the celebration with a very meaningful and inspiring reading. Clergy from St. Matthews Episcopal blessed the site, and members of St. John's Lutheran and Bethlehem Baptist sang some lovely songs in  celebration. The day was summed up by a member of Bethlehem Baptist (and a Habitat homeowner!) who joined others in the closing prayer. As Pastor Quann of Bethlehem Baptist so eloquently put it "this build reaches across so many lines - racially, religiously and ethnically, that we must take notice of the important work happening here. It  is more than just building a house, it is building a community."
Habitat would like to thank all of the congregations and groups that have chosen to give their resources, time and talent to this endeavor. We look forward to working with all of you in the coming months! |
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Tile Fundraiser!
Thanks to 30 wonderful artists at Lower Merion High School, we are hosting our first painted tile fundraiser! Each hand-painted, one-of-a-kind tile costs $10 and helps support Habitat!
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Welcome Home, Ebony and Christine!
 On May 30, Habitat will welcome our newest homeowner, Ebony Kirtz and her son Julian into their new home! Sponsored by the Genuardi Family Foundation, Ebony's home is part of the Carriage Stone Community. Habitat would like to thank the Foundation for its continued commitment to us and to the Norristown community.
 On June 20, Christine Isaac and sons Jerry and Khalil will move into the Carriage Stone community as well. Their home, sponsored by Rohm and Haas, has been a landmark of the Innovations program. Habitat would like to thank Rohm and Haas and its partners for this generous sponsorship, as well as donated materials to the project.
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Recently, you may have noticed some differences in materials at Habitat, from the look of the newsletter to the brochures that we give to families and use for outreach, Habitat's look is changing. This is all thanks in part to the great work of 20nine design studios of Conshohocken.
They have chosen to partner with Habitat of Montgomery County, doing what they do best - strengthening our brand locally. We are thrilled and very grateful for their outstanding work on our brochures and are excited to be rolling out our new website next month, again based on the design they created. Click here for a small sample of the work they've done for us! |
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Want to help, but can't swing a hammer?
Have we got the opportunity for you! Habitat is looking for two special volunteers to fill the following roles:
 We are looking for a volunteer to help us maintain our lawns at various properties in Norristown, Pottstown and in North Hills. If you can help, please contact linley@habitatmontco.org
 We are also in search of a ReStore Truck driver one to two days per week. This is a flexible opportunity based on your schedule, but you should be able to lift 40 lbs. If you would like to help out, please contact linley@habitatmontco.org |
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Opportunities to Get Involved!
Join us for a Networking lunch
Where:
When:
Tuesday June 02, 2009, 11:45AM
Come learn about our projects in North Hills!
$25 suggested donation with all proceeds benefitting Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, PA
Participate in the Oy Vey 5K hosted by Beth Or Congregation
Our 20th Anniversary Homecoming Picnic!
Sunday, June 28, 1:00PM
Lower Perkiomen Park (off of 422 in Audubon)
Join us for a day of fun and celebration - bring the family!
Participate in our dessert contest or, if you would like, bring a dish to share!
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"It isn't the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it."
- Eileen Elias Freeman
With that final thought, thank you for the size of your hearts and the gifts you bestow upon Habitat.
Sincerely,
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Raise Money for Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County just by searching the Web. You'll also keep informed about Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County news. It's FREE !! http://www.freelanthropy.com/hfhomc | |
Don't forget! ReStore Garage Sale, Saturday, June 6!
Warehouse across from our office
9:00AM | |
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