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July 2010 |
Greetings!
We hope you enjoy reading about the highlights of Evergreen Habitat for Humanity this month. As always we greatly appreciate your support of our affiliate where we continue to build safe and affordable housing for our hard working, low income families. If you would like to find out how you can help, please visit www.ehfh.org for more information. |
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Bill Firstenburg and Fellow CEOs Partner with Habitat to Volunteer for First Annual CEO Build
 Group photo at Patten Park subdivision construction site of CEOs who volunteered for Evergreen Habitat for Humanity on June 10th
First Independent Bank CEO and Chairman Bill Firstenburg hosted along with his friends Steve Runyan, Elie Kassab, Jerry Nutter and Matt Olson, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity's (EHFH) first annual CEO Build. Braving the inclement weather, 19 friends and fellow CEOs all volunteered their construction skills on Thursday, June 10, 2010.
"We are so grateful to these community leaders all who are extremely busy, yet still make it a priority to volunteer because they recognize that we are working hard to eliminate poverty housing for low income families in Clark County," said Kristina Aitchison, Executive Director of Evergreen Habitat for Humanity.
The CEOs and business leaders represented many local companies and organizations including First Independent Bank, Bryant & Associates, Evergreen Truss, HDJ Design, New Tradition Homes, Nutter Corporation, Parkrose Hardware, Regal Greetings, Robertson & Olson, and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
The CEOs divided into two work crews to complete the perimeter water migration systems for houses four and five at the Patten Park subdivision which by 2011 will include seven Habitat homes. The project included measuring, cutting and attaching pipe to each home's foundation that will serve as the system for diverting rainwater away from each home.
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| Thrivent's Kyle Otto Chosen for Habitat for Humanity Building Project in El Savador
Kyle Otto |
Kyle Otto, a Thrivent financial representative, volunteered in El Salvador for a Habitat for Humanity building project as part of the Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip.
"Each financial representative had to write a short essay why they should go and how it could help Habitat," Otto said.
During the kick off banquet in January, Otto was announced as one of the chosen ambassadors for the trip that occurred at the end of May.
Thirty-two representatives traveled to Santa Ana, El Salvador, which is located approximately 40 miles west of San Salvador, the capital city. Their assignment was to build cinder block houses. Each house was 450 square feet with two rooms and a kitchen. Altogether there were nine houses consisting of one single family house and eight duplexes in various stages of construction.
"I was a glorified laborer, packed all the cinder blocks and finished digging out the ditch, a foot and half into the ground." Otto said.
According to Otto, the ground in El Salvador consists of rich, soft dirt, which makes it necessary to dig deep in order to ensure the structure will be able to withstand the extreme rainstorms that are typical of the area.
What impressed Otto the most were the people, many who live in
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Sixth Annual Raising the Roof Event will be held on September 30th at Vancouver Hilton Hotel
John Deeder |
Evergreen Habitat for Humanity's (EHFH) sixth annual "Raising the Roof" benefit breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, September 30th at the Vancouver Hilton Hotel located at 301 W. 6th Street from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.
John Deeder, Superintendent of Evergreen Public Schools will be the keynote speaker. Deeder will be speaking about how Habitat's work helps kids to succeed in school and builds hope in the community.
Executive Director Kristina Aitchison encourages everyone to attend the event and learn how the EHFH organization is changing lives through the elimination of substandard housing.
"Our mission is to help families succeed not only with homeownership but hopefully with starting a new chapter in their lives and becoming an integral part of their community," Aitchison said.
Sponsorships are still available which include various types of acknowledgement and publicity during the event.
The cost for individual tickets is $30 and a table for 8 is $240.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact Melissa Edwards at 360-737-1759.
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Consider a Visit to our ReStore!
Click on picture to go to the ReStore Web Site. | Working on your next home improvement project?
Help Evergreen Habitat for Humanity and save money at the same time!
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Save the Date for our Raising the Roof Breakfast on
September 30th at the Vancouver Hilton!
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Bill Bryant - President Russ Chambers - Past President
Shawn Elpel - Vice President
Justin Myers - Treasurer Susan Riley - Secretary Brad Eriksen - Director Tony Hodge - Director Melisa Murguia - Director Chad Peterson - Director Jennifer Ramsay - Director
Linda Reid - Director Larry Scherer - Director Brenda Tiefenthaler - Director Executive Director Kristina Aitchison
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Evergreen Habitat for Humanity Newsletter is published monthly
Editor & Web Designer: Jennifer Schmidt
For more information please visit our web site at www.ehfh.org |
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Otto article continued
This cinder block house was built by volunteers in El Salvador |
extreme poverty and always had a good attitude and would greet the volunteer group each day with smiles.
"What I took away more than anything was that their faith in God is so grounded, they are the most kind, most happy and most accepting people around. I will never forget it."
Otto who has over 20 years of construction experience, worked full time as a roofer from 1988 until 2004. He also volunteered by roofing one of the houses last year in the Patten Park subdivision for Evergreen Habitat for Humanity.
When asked if he would travel again to volunteer on another building project, Otto, said that he would probably return to El Salvador and would encourage others to volunteer both abroad and locally as well.
"I came away expanding my horizons and my view of the world. It's a life changing experience."
If you are interested in joining the next Thrivent Builds trip for Habitat for Humanity on September 27th - October 2nd in the Gulf Coast Community of Biloxi, Mississippi, please contact Chad Peterson at chad.peterson@thrivent.com or call (360) 335-3350.
Editor's Note: The Financial Representative Ambassador Program is credited for the images featured in this article and were taken during the 2010 Thrivent Builds Worldwide trip in El Salvador.
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