Habitat Headlines A Monthly E-Newsletter
July 2012
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Habitat's Impact as of July 2012
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Families in homes: 328
New applicants accepted into the program: 107
Families in the Homebuyer Academy: 118
Homes under construction: 67
Homes in planning: 42
Communities under construction: 7
Community Revitalization Initiatives in pipeline: 1
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ReStore Accomplishments
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Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is proud to have three highly successful discount home improvement ReStores, with locations in Dundalk, Pasadena and Halethorpe.
Our affiliate's ReStores are currently ranked number one in Maryland for fiscal year 2011, according to Habitat for Humanity International. We had $1.2 million in sales!
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake ReStores are also number one in the area for sales of Masterwood kitchen cabinets.
Thank you for shopping, donating and volunteering!
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Orchard Ridge Construction Has Begun!
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 We're excited! Work has actively begun on the 30-house Habitat build in Orchard Ridge. The first group of houses are slated for dedication in mid-November. Stay tuned for the date and time so you can plan to join us!
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New Location To Be Announced |
AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon
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My AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon Experience in Dallas
by Trivia Payne, AmeriCorps member
The Dallas Build-a-Thon was a blessing and a great experience for me. Being a part of this not only allowed me to travel to a place that I had never been, it also allowed me a chance to network and meet other AmeriCorps members from across the states.
This Build-a-Thon was amazing because even though I was on the support team, I was included in the building process from start to finish in various ways. I was one of the photographers throughout the week and assisted the support team in making giveaways such as cards, stepping stones and buttons for the families, build teams and individuals.
It was also amazing to me to watch the house being built because this is something that I don't get to enjoy when I am home in Maryland. The host site staff provided many rewarding experiences for the AmeriCorps members, such as a comedy show, complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a free shuttle service that took us almost anywhere we needed to go.
During my time at the Build-a-Thon, we all enjoyed supporting each other, and there were two main highlights that I will always remember: 1) being able to help Lulu, one of the support staff, celebrate her birthday while she was way from home; and 2) my co-worker Fig teaching me to swim at the age of 35!
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The Habitat AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon highlights local community needs for affordable housing while celebrating AmeriCorps members' service with Habitat.
The event provides an opportunity for AmeriCorps National and AmeriCorps VISTA members to share ideas and meet others committed to service and to eliminating poverty housing.
This year's event was May 13-26. Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake AmeriCorps members poured their energy and passion into service at Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity in Texas, one affiliate among seven partnering with Habitat for Humanity International on the second phase of the federally-funded Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2).
The program partners with state and local governments and nonprofits to help reverse the decline in neighborhoods severely affected by foreclosures and abandonment.
For more stories from the AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon, visit www.habitat.org/americorps/stories.
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"Character Does Matter" Honors the Fallen in Baltimore
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By Sam Stanton, Program Manager Character Does Matter
Students from Severna Park High School (pictured left) in Severna Park, Maryland, joined with volunteer chaperones to log 70 hours of community service in honor of fallen Marine Lance Cpl. Eric Herzberg on a Habitat for Humanity build in Baltimore during the second week of June.
Volunteers came out to honor the fallen by challenging the living, and made a significant impact with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, which "brings people together to build decent, affordable homes that change lives, empower families and strengthen communities."
Eric Herzberg, Travis Manion Foundation Challenge Grant recipient, and father of Severna Park High School's fallen hero, shared his son's story at a Character Does Matter presentation on April 19.
That day, juniors from the school's Leadership Institute were encouraged to honor their fallen hero by signing up for service projects Herzberg organized. Students who participate are eligible to apply for scholarships Herzberg is making available through his Travis Manion Foundation Challenge Grant.
Read more...
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Congratulations Leadership Anne Arundel Flagship Program
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Congratulations to Randi Hogan, Director of Development, who graduated in June with distinction from Leadership Anne Arundel's Flagship Program. Randi was one of 30 community trustees selected to participate over the past year in a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary study of Anne Arundel County, which included meeting and discussing critical issues with leaders in the public and private sectors. Leadership Anne Arundel is the county's premier leadership training and networking institute. "I am honored to have been part of this dynamic learning experience with a wonderful class of colleagues," Randi said, "and I look forward to continuing our work together to improve the quality of life in our community."
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HonFest 2012
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HonFest attendees stop by the Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake tent to ask about volunteering and check out the items for sale.
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Community Engagement Coordinator AmeriCorps Bobby Kirby hangs out with some authentic hons at the 2012 HonFest in Hampden.
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Women Build
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Join us for The Mall in Columbia's Girls Night Out -- an exclusive shopping event --
and help women join together to make a difference! For a $15 donation to Habitat for Humanity of
the Chesapeake, attendees will be treated to fantastic food samples from the mall's eateries,
music and great giveaways, plus a sneak peek at the hottest summer fashions provided by participating merchants. All proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake's Women Build program.
10300 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, Maryland 21044
Purchase tickets in advance at Guest Services with a check.
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Women Build Membership Drive Underway
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Events Committee volunteers (l-r): Sandra Wood, Committee Chair Valerie Yingling, Staci Summers and Nedesha Coleman
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Women Build membership drive and committee organization is actively underway!
Please join us for the fun and meaningful work of Women Build. Participate in one of the following Women Build committees:
- Membership
- Events
- PR & Marketing
- Fundraising
Want to stay informed about future meetings and events? Sign up today for our Women Build newsletter!
Women Build Lowe's Clinics:
Tuesday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. -- Siding Clinic
Tuesday, August 14 at 6:30 p.m. -- Roofing Clinic Tuesday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. -- Insulation and Drywall Clinic
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TD Ameritrade
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Employees of TD Ameritrade work together to be a part of the change happening in the Pen Lucy neighborhood.
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TD Ameritrade, an investment firm focused on helping individual investors meet their financial goals, is committed to building stronger communities through a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity. For two days in mid-June, our Habitat affiliate welcomed their associates from the Columbia, Maryland office to one of our active construction sites in the Baltimore neighborhood of Pen Lucy, as they helped families achieve their dreams of homeownership. Thank you, TD Ameritrade!
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A TD Ameritrade employee works with a Habitat Red Hat to cut a piece of rebar in the ground.
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A TD Ameritrade employee proudly sports her team's t-shirt and saws wood on site.
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Habitat for Humanity and Capital One Bank- Baltimore City "Build-A-Block"
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Capital One Bank employees take a quick break to smile for the camera as their work to beautify the alleyway in Canton.
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"On May 25th, 15 Capital One Bank associates and local students put down their pencils and picked up shovels (and an occasional Jack Hammer) for a wonderful cause. We experienced a remarkably seamless and collaborative partnership among Baltimore City Schools (specifically Carver Vocational Tech), the Park School and the Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake program. What a great example of teamwork with a top five banking institution, local schools and our Habitat for Humanity partners all working together to beautify and improve another neighborhood in Baltimore City.
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Employees of Captial One Bank measure the depth of the hole they worked hard to dig for a fence post.
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On behalf of Capital One Bank, I want to thank all of those responsible for helping organize this event for the ultimate benefit of a local Build-A-Block program where, for six hours, on a beautiful, hot Spring day - just before the Memorial Day weekend - bankers joined with students in Canton, just north of Patterson Park, in Baltimore City. Our mission was to rebuild and beautify an alley way that had been considered an eyesore to the local residents. A new garden area with a new fence and storage area was created in this space to benefit the citizens of the local neighborhood. Throughout the day we were fed compliments by the local residents walking by wondering what the commotion was about. Their expressions said it all as they smiled and thanked us for our efforts. Our Foreman, Carver High School's vocational teacher Greg McDevitt, guided our shovels and pickaxes and kept everyone organized and productive. He even saw an opportunity to get more out to the team by splitting us into two groups so that the second group could build a dozen new kitchen cabinets in the gym of a nearby Elementary School for affordable housing needs in the area.
Thank you again for such a great event and we look forward to more opportunities like this in the future."
Bill McDevitt
Senior Vice President
Sales Performance Executive
Mid-Atlantic - Business Banking
Capital One Bank
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Youth and Student Programs
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 Youth Service Saturday is a creative and interactive approach to sparking your child's interest in philanthropy. This fun and unique Habitat program helps youth, ages 5-15, understand the meaning of philanthropy and the value of service to others through an enthusiastically-led session of games, art and entertainment. Youth Service Saturdays take place at the Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake office (3741 Commerce Drive, Baltimore) on the third Saturday of every month. The program 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: July 21, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Please contact Bobby Kirby to sign up: rkirby@habitatchesapeake.org or 410-366-1250 x105
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The Baltimore Station and Sailabration
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On Monday, June 18, 55 Sailors and Marines from the USS San Antonio and USS Ft. McHenry visited The Baltimore Station for a service project in conjunction with the Star Spangled Sailabration which took place in Baltimore to commemorate the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled banner. The Baltimore Station is a residential therapeutic recovery program for homeless men, primarily veterans who are recovering from chronic substance abuse.
The military volunteers worked side by side with Baltimore Station residents to help set up for a Volunteer Appreciation Day which took place later that same day. Upon arrival, the Sailors and Marines were greeted with open arms and quickly immersed themselves into all of the happenings at The Baltimore Station including sitting down and getting to know some of our residents more candidly and sharing a meal together.
The military volunteers helped set up a rooftop container garden, prepared food for lunch and dinner, set up for the event and created collages which will be given to the many volunteer groups who regularly serve at The Baltimore Station throughout the year. The Baltimore Station residents, staff and invited guests were honored to meet these courageous men and women. It was a very rewarding and inspirational day for everyone who participated.
 
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Habitat Benefits from Eagle Scout Project
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HFHC's Tony Watson and Leila Kohler-Freuh with Boy Scout Flynn McLaughlin
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by Tony Watson
Anyone who has engaged in youth work at Habitat for Humanity can share a story about building or painting bird houses. While there is usually a large number of youth volunteer groups willing to assemble or paint birdhouses, getting donated volunteer-ready kits and materials for these birdhouses can be a challenge. In stepped Flynn McLaughlin who helped address this problem as part of his Eagle Scout project. On April 25, McLaughlin, a member of Boy Scout Troop 783, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at St Andrew's by the Bay in Cape St. Clair, Maryland, swung by our Halethorpe office to drop off dozens of ready-made birdhouse kits for use by our affiliate.
Demonstrating civic-minded leadership in action, Flynn drove all aspects of his project: drawing up plans, securing the materials, and even organizing friends to help make the project a resounding success. Showing great attention to detail, he even included the glue required in each kit. By June, the kits Flynn had created were being used by children aged 5- 16 at our Habitat's monthly Youth Service Saturday gatherings. Best wishes to Flynn as he goes through the final stages of becoming an Eagle Scout, an honor he truly deserves!
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Interns Needed
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If you are interested in any of the following internship positions, please contact Jerry Hazelwood, Compliance Manager, at jhazelwood@habitatchesapeake.org.
Grant Compliance
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is seeking an intern to aid with grant compliance tasks in the Finance department.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with filing and organization of database and hard-copy information related to federal and state grants.
- Maintain ring-binder files necessary for affiliate archives and for compliance review by Habitat International.
- Assist with periodic audit preparations.
- Assist with data collection and assembly of information necessary for periodic status reports submitted to grantors.
- Assist with internal coordination among departments of information and matters important to grant compliance.
- Assist with research and preparation of exhibits and materials to be included in grant requests.
Qualification Requirements:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Superior research skills
- Technical and computer competence
- A professional image and attitude
Schedule:
16-24 hours per week (internship / not paid)
Community Revitalization
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is seeking an intern to aid with Community Revitalization efforts in the organization's Construction department.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with preparation of Community Profiles and Assessments, including such tasks as field observations and interviews, site documentation and photography, and data gathering.
- Research on-line sources of community data to collect and assemble a wide range of demographic, economic and community health information.
- Assist with preparation of Community Profiles and Assessment reports with creative use of photographs, maps, and charts.
- Participate in community meetings including preparation of presentation materials and preparing follow-up minutes or reports of meeting results.
Qualification Requirements:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Superior research skills
- Technical and computer competence
- A professional image and attitude
Schedule:
16-24 hours per week (internship / not paid)
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Red Hats |
Want to become a Red Hat volunteer?
 | Training Manager Eric Bernhardt |
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. You'll be glad you did!
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Baltimore's Former "Deadliest Corner" Now Home to a Habitat-Sponsored Community Garden
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Student participants in the Build-A-Block program show off their first flower planted in the new community garden.
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Habitat Board Member Glenn Ross tells the crowd a little about the history of East Baltimore.
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After the event, neighborhood children check out the new community gardens.
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"A few years ago this intersection was home to Baltimore's deadliest corner,"' said Glenn Ross to the East Baltimore crowd gathered at Jefferson and Port Streets to dedicate a new community garden built by Habitat for Humanity of Chesapeake and Habitat's Build-a-Block coalition of local area high schools. Mr. Ross, President of the Monument-McElderry-Fayette Community Association, praised the efforts of our Habitat affiliate in working with his community to gather the partners necessary to make the project a success. The list of financial sponsors and volunteer groups range from the Starbucks Foundation, who provided a Youth Action Grant, to area schools.
Ownership of the garden will be transferred to the Living Classrooms Foundation, which will maintain the garden through its CARE program with students at neighboring Tench Tilghman Elementary School. Local residents, many of whom are Habitat for Humanity partner families, are already helping to care for the garden, watering the plants and vegetables now growing there. At the dedication ceremony, Tony Watson, a member of our Habitat affiliate's Community Engagement team, remarked to the crowd, "Ten years ago we had bullets at this intersection, and today we are planting flowers and enjoying brownies."
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July Homeownership Orientation
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Interested in homeownership or know someone who might qualify?
 | Homeowner Taja Anderson |
We are looking for individuals and families willing to partner with our Habitat affiliate to make their dreams of homeownership a reality.
The first step toward becoming a Habitat homeowner
is to attend an orientation session:
Saturday, July 21 at 10 am
Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
2424 McElderry Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
Orientations last approximately one hour. Attendees do not need to bring anything but a smile -- and perhaps an interested friend or two. Please share this information with someone you know!
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Habitat Neighborhood Board Tour
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Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake's Board of Directors took a tour of Habitat's work sites -- Pen Lucy, McCabe, Mt. Winans, Orchard Ridge, Washingon Village/Pigtown and Brooklyn.
Top Left: Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake board and staff members breaking for lunch in Pigtown.
Top Right: Marty Zickgraf and Owen Rouse discuss the building process in Pen Lucy.
Bottom Left: Matt Metzger talk about Habitat's plans for the Pen Lucy neighborhood.
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Jonathan Reckford Presented with Stevenson University's Social Entrepreneurship Award
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Pictured here: Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International; Kevin Manning, Ph.D., President, Stevenson University; Joann Blewett, Executive Director, Susquehanna Habitat for Humanity; Mike Posko, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake.
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In May, Jonathan Reckford, Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity International, was presented with Stevenson University's second annual Social Entrepreneurship Award.
Reckford also received Stevenson's highest academic honor, the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa. The Social Entrepreneurship Award honors individuals who achieve high social returns for communities through transformative leadership and innovation. In addition to marshaling Habitat's resources to build thousands of homes for needy families across the world, Reckford has developed innovative strategies such as collaborating with microfinance institutions to help families get necessary funds for home building or improvements. Source
Stevenson University is an outstanding community partner with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake in addressing the critical need for affordable housing. Hundreds of Stevenson students have volunteered with our Habitat affiliate over the years, helping to revitalize neighborhoods throughout Baltimore.
Pictured here: Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International; Kevin Manning, Ph.D., President, Stevenson University; Joann Blewett, Executive Director, Susquehanna Habitat for Humanity; Mike Posko, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake.
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Mother Theresa Reflection
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The following reflection was delivered at a recent board meeting by Director of Family Services Anne Rouse.
We hope you find it as inspiring as we did.
Something to Think About
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.
The good you do today, people wil often forget tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never about them anyway.
Mother Teresa
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Anne Arundel County Land Donation
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Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake has a solid presence in Anne Arundel County -- and we're looking to grow.
However, the cost of land in the county is very expensive. Won't you please consider donating property to Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake?
By donating land, you could save Habitat valuable dollars per lot and help provide housing for deserving families in the region.
Acquiring land in Anne Arundel County is a critical priority for our nonprofit organization, so we hope to hear from interested donors. A gift of real estate -- now or through your estate plans -- may be used to provide affordable housing to qualified families who are waiting to begin their dream of homeownership. By donating property, you can avoid capital gains tax and receive an income tax charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the house.
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Youth Spotlight: Broadneck High School
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Students from Broadneck High School's Habitat for Humanity Club spelled out "Habitat" and sent us this great photo.
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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 Central Maryland with safe, decent and affordable housing. Revenue from the vehicle sale goes directly back into our affiliate to help us build more homes.
A BIG thank you to this year's Cars for Homes donors!
Since July 2011, $10,146.58 has been raised for Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake.
If you have questions or would like to donate your vehicle, please email Aleah Rawls at
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Sculptor Uses Scrap Metal Purchased from Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake ReStore
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by Gary J. Cuttler, sculptor and ReStore "frequent shopper"
A New Yorker living in Arbutus for the past seven years, I recently started creating metal sculpture. While refining my welding technique so I could start doing some repairs on my "station car," I discovered I had a talent I was not aware of and decided to pursue a new hobby.
Scrap metal was hard to find for free and if you go to most local stores that carry metal you will pay a good price. I needed to find a materials source for my new hobby without going broke. That is when my wife suggested I check out Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake's Restore.
I had heard about them, but had never been there before so I went to check them out. I am glad I did! I now have two primary sources for my metal. The Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake Restore in Halethorpe, MD and The Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico Restore in Salisbury, MD. These locations have friendly, helpful staff, well-stocked shelves and very reasonable prices.
Below are some photos with descriptions of some of my pieces made either fully or partially with metal from these two stores:
Serenity - A praying mantis made from various scrap metal. The rock that this piece sits on is made from the back of a square light fixture, bought at the Restore, and has been bent and welded, then painted with textured spray paint.
Dog - Most of this piece is junk scrap, but the dog's head is from an old ceiling fan bought at the Restore, into which I drilled two holes and added some bolts for eyes.
Jewelry Stand - The Jewelry Stand, a gift for my granddaughter, has a base made of an old light fixture mounted on the base of an old ceiling fan. Her name is made from some metal braces, all of which were purchased at the Restore.
Red Bike - The Red Bike is made up of old metal bars from the Restore, which have been bent and shaped by hand, and then mounted on metal from an old tread mill that was in my garage and beyond repair.
Performance Car - With the exception of the wheels from an auto junk yard, Performance Car is made fully from metal from Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. Before becoming a car it was the white metal from 2 florescent light fixtures that have been cut, shaped and welded together. The bar on the back is crafted so the piece can be hung on the wall. This particular piece was designed for a performance shop in Florida, and will feature magnetic clips to hang work orders.
Sunflower - The next piece is currently a work-in-progress. It is for a customer who wants a 6-foot tall sunflower. The flower is made from a blue shelf bought at the Restore, which has been cut, shaped and stripped of paint. The stem and the base of the stem, also bought at the Restore, are an old cement tamper and a hollow steel pole. In one photo you can see the basic layout of the flower, and in the other you can see how it is shaping up as each petal gets shaped prior to welding. This piece will also be able to move in the wind using a garage door spring hidden inside a pail, disguised as a bud from which the flower has emerged, with both pieces purchased at Habitat for Humanity Restore. As a matter of fact, the only piece of metal in this piece not purchased at the one of the Restores is the center of the flower, which is an old colander from my basement.
To check out my photo gallery, visit Cuttler.org.
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Thank you for your continued support of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake!
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