The Habitat ReStore will have a table at Earth Day this year!  Please stop by to say hello and learn how YOU can get involved! 

When: Sunday, April 19th - 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Booth 53-Alameda Park, Santa Barbara

The theme for this Earth Day is "The Green Generation". This two year initiative will focus on 3 things:

• Encouraging responsible, sustainable, consumption by individuals
• A carbon free future based on renewable energy
  
• The creation of a new, green economy 
  

As a model of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle the Habitat ReStore is proud to contribute to this national initiative!  ReStores around the country operate based on the idea of conservation and the efficient use of materials. Our fundamental principles support responsible, sustainable consumption.  Do your part and help Habitat build more homes for low-income families while conserving natural resources.  

Building Homes - Building Dreams is a community-wide effort to raise funds necessary to build four new homes on a building site that Habitat purchased on San Pascual Street.  Using our proven methods of donations, volunteer labor and sweat equity, Habitat will provide affordable and dignified housing for 13 people.  The campaign will provide for a property acquisition fund and will also establish a much-needed endowment fund for Habitat.  In addition, the campaign will support Habitat's environmentally-friendly "ReStore" in our community. The ReStore is a model of reduce, reuse and recycle and accepts donations of quality, gently-used building materials.  Donated items are used in Habitat building projects or sold to the public with the resulting income going to fund more homes.  The campaign is led by campaign co-chairs and community leaders David Spainhour and Christine Garvey and is seeking gifts from individuals, foundations and businesses over a three-year pledge period. Please help support our important work.  Watch the Building Homes - Building Dreams video.

This year Habitat for Humanity and the Habitat ReStore partnered with CALM in an effort to divert a great amount of useable building materials from the Design Showcase House from local landfills. Items from the Design Showcase House remodel were graciously donated to the Habitat Restore in Goleta and resold at discounted prices to the public. The Design Showcase is a signature benefit to raise awareness and funds to support the many critical programs and services that CALM provides to prevent and treat child abuse in Santa Barbara. For information about the Design Showcase event June 3-28, contact CALM's Development Director, Monica Intaglietta at (805) 965-2376 or email mintaglietta@calm4kids.org.

Come hear the musical talent of Elise Witek, Trevor Borden & the Way Much, Justin Davis, and Sara Reynolds at a FREE concert on Friday, April 17th at The Loft, 821 State Street.

Learn how you can get involved with Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara and do your part to end substandard housing in our community.

The show starts at 8:00p.m. and there will be plenty of food, fun, and fantastic music! All ages are welcome. Bring a friend!

A Rocha, a Christian organization focusing on environmental research, education, and conservation, has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity and Grace Lutheran Church to provide a community garden space behind the church on State Street. On April 4th Grace Lutheran held a Community Garden Building Day where A Rocha volunteers and members of the community showed up with shovels and gloves - ready to build green! Phase I of building the garden will consist of constructing raised beds using quality, untreated lumber donated by Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County. If you would like to rent a spot in the community garden please contact Patsy at (805) 687-2628.

 Go on a building adventure with Habitat for Humanity Global Village!
June 20th - July 4th
(No construction experience required)

Spend 8 days with the Anchorage, Alaska Habitat for Humanity building homes for two families and rehabbing another home.  Experience the thrill of building homes for families in need while challenging yourself.

After the hard work of building homes, enjoy  weekend activities that include ice climbing, a visit to  Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, touring the historic Kennicott Cooper Mine and  cruise in Kenai Fjords National Park.    

Contact Global Village
Co-Lead Serena at s.kelsch@sbcglobal.net
for more information.

Did you know that the automobile is the most heavily recycled product? Ninety-four percent of the metal in a car is recyclable! When you donate a car to Cars for Homes™, Habitat's car donation program, it is recycled to help families build homes. Contact Habitat's Cars for Homes program at 877-277-4344 or visit their website. Please indicate that you want to support the Southern Santa Barbara affiliate!

This legislation gives donors aged 70 ½ and older an opportunity to direct up to $100,000 from their IRAs to nonprofit organizations without incurring income tax liability on the withdrawal.  The provision has been extended through Dec. 31, 2009!