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Habitat Headlines A Monthly E-Newsletter
January 2012
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Happy New Year!
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Kick off the new year with a resolution to give hope to families in need. At Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, our work isn't just about blueprints for houses - it's about giving families blueprints for the future. We empower families
in our region, confront daunting challenges, strengthen communities and work toward a
better future for all.
You will help change the lives of hard-working, struggling families. You will provide a solution of safe and affordable housing - a basic human need and a fundamental component of dignity and long-term well-being for people everywhere. And that's something to celebrate!
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Dedications
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On December 6, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake proudly handed over the keys to a newly renovated East Baltimore home on Fairmount Avenue to homeowner Sequoia Gaylord and her son, Jayden.
"This is truly a gift that goes beyond four walls and a roof," said Sequoia's mother, speaking on Sequoia and Jayden's behalf. "Together we pulled a boy from a future life of crime and violence."
The Oriole Bird joined in celebrating the affiliate's 10th Women Build home, representing the dedicated group of Orioles Wives who came out to the house for demolition and construction.
With the help of several generous sponsors, 100% of the home was funded by women and 75% was built by women, a hallmark of the Women Build project.
In Jayden's words, "I love everybody for working on our house."
Congratulations to Sequoia and her son! And...thanks to all our Habitat Women Build participants for making their dream come true. |
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Habitat's Impact as of January 2012
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Homes Under Construction: 30
Homes in Planning: 90
Communities Under Construction: 4
Communities in Planning: 4
Families in Homes: 323
Family Members Served: 959
Children Served: 558
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Thanks to you, our year-end fundraising campaign was a big success! Your contributions will help us provide more families with decent, affordable homes. Thank you for your support!
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The Maryland Home and Garden Show
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presents a
Garden Preview Party
with
THINK SPRING!
Take a break from winter's blast and enjoy beautiful gardens, live music, hors d'oeuvres and great company at our Second Annual Maryland Home and Garden Show Preview Party at the Maryland State Fairgrounds on Friday, March 2, 6-9 p.m.
Be the first to enjoy an exclusive look at fantastic garden displays before the show officially opens to the public.
For the first time this year, the Home and Garden Show awards ceremony will be held during the preview party, featuring the following awards:
Best of Show Presented by Maryland Nurserymen's Association
Landscaper Award Presented by Chesapeake Home Magazine
Pinnacle Award Participating landscapers vote for their favorite garden
Educational Garden Award Presented by Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation (MAEF) American Horticultural Society Award
Horticultural Society of Maryland Award
Dance to live music by popular area bands!
Order tickets online for a special rate: Early bird special tickets are $50 online; $60 at the door. Tickets will be available at "will call" the day of the event.
Great news! Your ticket includes admission to the Preview Party plus admission for one full day at the Maryland Home and Garden Show on the day of your choice.
GET INVOLVED to help build Habitat homes! Preview Party sponsorships are available at a variety of levels. Please contact Randi Hogan at hogan@habitatchesapeake.org or 410-366-1250 x122 for information. |
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| Cars for Homes | 
Shift your giving into a different gear this year!
Donate your car, truck, RV, boat or motorcycle to our Cars for Homes program. Your generous vehicle donation helps us provide more families in the Baltimore region with safe, decent and affordable housing. Revenue from the vehicle sale goes directly back into our affiliate to help us build more homes. How to Donate A BIG thank you to this year's Cars for Homes donors! You have helped us raise $16,871.61 since January 2011. Let's keep it up in the new year! If you have questions, please email Madeline Manlove at |
Build-A-Block at the Raven's Game
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The Build-A-Block program, a coalition of 16 public, parochial and independent schools working together toward rebuilding East Baltimore neighborhoods, received 100 tickets to the Thanksgiving night Raven's game! Participants were featured in a WBAL-TV story that aired on Thanksgiving discussing the students' valuable efforts for Habitat. Each was given a t-shirt and allowed on the field to watch the players prior to the game. Habitat's Build-A-Block program was one of only eight groups selected out of 100 to be in the Honors Rows at the game. Thanks to all the students for cheering on a winning game!
Go Build-A-Block!
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Erie Insurance Celebratory Lunch
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For the past three years in a row, our friends at Erie Insurance have hosted a charity golf tournament and
donated the entire proceeds to Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake.
This year, at Erie's mid-December holiday party, HFHC staff
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Mary Okerson accepts her award from HFHC.
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representatives took a few moments to express our deep gratitude to everyone gathered. We honored the determination of the small team of people who managed the tournament and made our partnership enjoyable. We gave special thanks to Sandra Dorsey, Michael Foley and Eric Olaitan, whose efforts made each of the golf tournaments highly successful.
However, everyone agreed that it was the dedication and commitment of Erie's recently retired Mary Okerson that brought our partnership to life. We presented Mary with a plaque noting our "sincere appreciation and gratitude for helping families find new hope in decent, affordable homes."
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HFHC COO, Mark Bendann, (left) and Mary Okerson are surprised with a check for $13,000, completing Erie's pledge of a
full-house sponsorship.
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The Erie "family" then surprised Habitat with a check for $13,000, completing a $100,000 full-house sponsorship. The team next presented HFHC with 35 live wreaths - one for each of the new homeowners in 2011. Needless to say, everyone was ecstatic! In a statement, Erie President & CEO Terry Cavanaugh, said, "As an insurance provider, we understand how much having a home means to people, especially during the holiday season. Together with our employees and agents, we're proud to support Habitat for Humanity with funding and volunteers to help create safe housing for deserving families."
Thank you to all our friends at Erie for your help toward achieving our mission of bringing people together to build decent, affordable homes that change lives, empower families and strengthen communities.
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A Very Special Gift from Annette Blank
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 | | Annette enjoys a congratulatory hug from daughter Emily (left) and friend Miriam. |
Late last year, Annette Blank gave our Habitat affiliate the tremendous honor of a generous gift - the house where she raised her family. After Annette moved to a new senior living residence, she contacted us to discuss her hopes for how her house could provide a promising future for others. We agreed to sell it and use the proceeds of the sale to empower Habitat families with new hope of achieving their dreams of homeownership. We celebrated Annette's gift with friends at her new senior living community where Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton of Congregation Beit Tikvah offered a blessing. Annette's daughter, Emily Blank, entertained the crowd by performing a few favorite songs from Fiddler on the Roof.  | Annette helps the children of Habitat partner
families select some favorite books. |
A captivating storyteller, Annette then shared a couple of her favorite stories with those gathered. She is an avid reader and former librarian who introduced the love of reading and learning to several generations. In addition to the gift of her house, Annette gave Habitat partner families several hundred books that she had collected over the years. Several of these families joined the celebration where children were invited to select their favorite books from Annette's collection.
Annette Blank set a wonderful example of heartfelt generosity through her gift. If you hold vacant or idle property, please consider reinventing it as a source of hope for Habitat families. A gift of real estate - now or through your estate plans - may be used to provide affordable housing to deserving families who are waiting to begin their dream of homeownership.
By donating property, you may avoid capital gains tax and receive an income tax charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the house.
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Deacon John Williams
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Deacon John Williams turned 94 years old in December. In 1945, he moved from Wilmington, North Carolina to Baltimore to work on building ships at Bethlehem Steel. He has proudly lived on Huron Street in Mt. Winans for more than 65 years. Each year, you can tell which house is his by all the cheerful Christmas lights and holiday decorations.
The deacon's immediate family includes his wife, Lizzie, and their adopted cat, Goldie. The couple's son, John, Jr., lives in nearby Randallstown. A friend of the family, Ms. Ursula Brown, moved to Mt. Winans with her son in 1999 and has helped take care of the Williams and their home ever since. 
When Mr. Williams heard of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake's plans for building 11 new houses on his street, he invited us into his home to speak with him about the many changes that the Mt. Winans neighborhood has faced over the past seven decades. The woods and cornfields that used to separate his home from the railroad tracks are no longer there. When you sit in Mr. Williams' kitchen, you can hear the low whistles of the cargo trains that still run nearby.
When he first moved to the area, segregation was still in effect. The exclusively African American neighborhood used to have a public swimming pool, a communal well, a doctor's office, a school and a local tavern. Dirt roads used to lead up to the local cemetery, and an electric trolley car once took passengers downtown. At one time, there was an Army base and a brickyard where most of his neighbors worked.
According to the deacon, the homes in Mt. Winans used to be little more than tiny wooden shacks. Now, there are still many single-family homes made of wood, as well as formstone rowhouses and two-story brick apartments. When asked about Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake coming to his neighborhood to build, Deacon Williams says, "I've lived most of my life here; I'm very invested in the community. The neighborhood needs Habitat. We're very glad to have you here - you are most welcome!"
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake staff members Kara Stambach and Jerry Hazelwood are grateful for the opportunity to have heard some of Mr. Williams' stories firsthand. We are all glad to know that our partner families will have such a wonderful neighbor soon!
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Stevenson University Volunteers with ReStore
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 Stevenson University students recently participated in a ReStore salvage operation at the Hopkins-Keswick office building, helping to clean out the facility and identify items that
could be donated to our various ReStore locations.
We don't know what we'd do without our student volunteers!
Thanks to all who participated.
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Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
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My Day with Thrivent Builds
by Bobby Kirby, AmeriCorps National Direct
I recently had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Dave Schultz, financial director for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Anne Arundel County. The day consisted of finishing work for the Tanner family's new Habitat home - a busy day to say the least! Everywhere I looked, Thrivent volunteers, Red Hats and Habitat staff were scurrying this way and that to make sure the tasks were completed. I was lucky to pry Mr. Schultz away from his work just long enough for him to tell me more about Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.
 | | Dave Schultz: Welcome Home Tanner Family! |
"Our main mission," Dave said, while peeling paint from his exhausted hands, "is to help provide somebody that needs a home with a new Habitat home." Thrivent Builds has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake for over eight years and completed eight different homes. Most recently, through the coalition of Anne Arundel County's Lutheran churches, $12,000+ in fundraising and more than 150 volunteer opportunities have contributed to the redevelopment of 40 Pleasant Street in Annapolis. In addition to their group's fundraising accomplishments, Dave told me, "Our volunteers gain a lot (from the experience). They get together in fellowship, develop new relationships, and learn new building techniques which can be applied in our own lives."
Together, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity are working to promote safe, decent and affordable housing in our communities. Our deepest thanks goes out to Dave Shultz, Thrivent Builds volunteers, and all of the Thrivent Builds supporters. Good luck, God bless and Happy New Year to every one of you!
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January Homeownership Orientations
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Interested in homeownership or know someone who might qualify? We are looking for individuals and families who are willing to partner with Habitat to make their dreams of homeownership a reality.
The first step toward becoming a Habitat homeowner is to attend an orientation session.
Tuesday, January 3, 6 p.m.
McElderry Park Community Center
611 N. Montford Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205
Wednesday, January 11, 2 p.m.
Enoch Pratt Library - Brooklyn Branch
300 E. Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21225
Saturday, January 21, 10 a.m.
Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
2424 McElderry Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
All orientations last approximately one hour. Attendees do not need to bring anything except a smile -- and perhaps an interested friend. Please share this information with someone you know!
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| Red Hats | |
Want to become a Red Hat?
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is currently growing our base of Red Hat volunteers. Red Hats are a team of skilled and semi-skilled volunteers with construction experience, personality and leadership skills. They are capable of leading both small and large groups of volunteer teams to construct healthy, stable and energy efficient homes for our partner families. Prior construction experience is not required. We will be delighted to train you! Red Hats are asked to commit to a regular volunteer schedule of at least two days per month. Volunteers are often assigned to specific projects so that they can enjoy continuous progress together with their team. Regular training sessions are now underway for new Red Hat volunteers. Please get involved today by contacting Eric Bernhardt at ebernhardt@habitatchesapeake.org or 410-366-1250 x118.
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Youth Service Saturday
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Youth Service Saturday is an out-of-the-box way of sparking your child's interest in philanthropy.
This fun and unique Habitat program helps youth, ages 5-15 years old, understand the meaning of philanthropy and the value of service to others through an enthusiastically-led session of games, art and entertainment.
The event takes place at the Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake office (3741 Commerce Drive, Baltimore) and is free of charge with a suggested donation of supplies. The list of needed supplies for our homebuilding projects includes new paintbrushes, paint rollers, painter's tape, permanent markers, tape measures and Home Depot or Lowe's gift cards.
Learn more about our Habitat youth programs.
Youth Service Saturday's next date: January 21, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Please contact Bobby Kirby to sign up:
rkirby@habitatchesapeake.org or410-366-1250 x105
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Volunteer Opportunities
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Budget Builders: Family Partners
Budget Builder coaches are volunteers who work one-on-one with future homeowners to reinforce and support new Habitat families as they set their financial goals, learn wise budgeting habits and practice goal-oriented spending habits. Budget Builders is a three- to four-hour commitment per month for participating volunteers. The program lasts approximately four months and hours are flexible.
If you are interested in empowering families and building a relationship with a future Habitat homeowner, please contact Deborah Conklin at dconklin@habitatchesapeake.org or 410-366-1250 x150.
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Administrative Office Volunteer
 Are you interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, but the construction site isn't for you? Are you detail-oriented and enjoy seeing tangible results from your work? Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is looking for dedicated volunteers to work alongside our staff to manage daily tasks in our office. This position will include performing administrative duties, such as mailings, answering phone calls and greeting visitors. To inquire about this volunteer position, please contact Renee Ferguson at rferguson@habitatchesapeake.org or
410-366-1250 x131.
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Thank you for your continued support of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake!
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