News from Evergreen Habitat for Humanity

August 2011

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.

Multi-faith coalition plans 'A Brush with Kindness' project to remember 9/11

'A Brush with Kindness' volunteers at the Battle Ground Senior Center, the site of the first ABWK project.

On Saturday, September 10, a coalition of Christian, Jewish and Muslim congregations will come together to put the principles of their faiths into action by participating in Evergreen Habitat for Humanity's interfaith clean-up. The project through Evergreen Habitat's 'A Brush with Kindness' program will begin at 8:00 a.m. in the Shumway neighborhood of Vancouver, WA.

Vancouver First United Methodist Church organized the effort to repair the homes of two low-income homeowners.

Evergreen Habitat and First United Methodist planned the interfaith cleanup to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States.

"The events that occurred on September 11 were truly devastating but the spirit of a diverse community that came together to address the needs of others is something we can learn from, " said Dave Grey, project coordinator for the 'A Brush with Kindness' program. "The interfaith clean-up aims to break down denominational barriers and show that these groups are dedicated to working side-by-side to provide a 'hand up' to their neighbors in need."

'Women Build' ground breaking ceremony planned for Sept. 11

'Women Build' volunteers with the Bastidas family

The long-awaited ground breaking ceremony for the 'Women Build' home is scheduled for Sunday, September 11 at 1:30 p.m. The ceremony at 1027 W 39th Street in Vancouver will underscore the achievments of 'Women Build' participants and the Bastidas family who have fundraised for the build and completed six weeks of construction clinics.

Evergreen Habitat 'Women Build' participants are excited to take part in the first ever build of its kind in Clark County.

"Women Build' is still actively fundraising for the Bastidas home. We're already one-third of the way to reaching our goal and have dozens of women volunteers fundraising!"said Josh Townsley, executive director, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity."

To help the participants raise funds for the construction of the home, we have created an online fundraising tool through FirstGiving. Volunteers will be able to create and customize their own fundraising pages.

Not a 'Women Build' participant? Feel free to give them a hand by creating your own personalized 'Habitat Supporter' page.

Grammy-winning guitarist to play small-venue concert for Evergreen Habitat

Doug Smith and Judy Koch Smith

Grammy winning guitarist and national fingerstyle champion Doug Smith and Judy Koch Smith will play an intimate benefit concert in support of Evergreen Habitat for Humanity. The show starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 30 at the Fries Auditorium of the Washington School for the Blind. Tickets are $20 and can only be purchase through Evergreen Habitat for Humanity and Beacock Music Company.

On his website, Smith's music is described as "weaving together folk, classical, jazz and contemporary forms into a unique, flowing fingerpicking style recalling the playing of Chet Atkins, Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, and Alex de Grassi."

Evergreen Habitat supporters have the opportunity to buy tickets before the concert is publicly announced. Ticket sales will be donated to Habitat. All proceeds from the concert will go towards the 'Women Build' project.

"Smith fans, music aficionados, Habitat volunteers and anyone looking for an enjoyable evening in a small setting with excellent music are encouraged to attend," said Josh Townsley, executive director, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity.

Construction Briefs

Habitat volunteers resting after a job well done.

Evergreen Habitat has finished the roofing and trim on the Cabrera home.

Now, all it needs is an interior.

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This week, the foundation was put in place for the Griffin family home.

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'A Brush with Kindness' volunteers at work

Evergreen Habitat finished another project though the 'A Brush with Kindness" program.

Volunteers stained a worn deck and landscaped for a low-income homeowner.

Issue: 20

In this Issue

Multi-faith coalition plans 'A Brush with Kindness' project to remember 9/11

'Women Build' ground breaking ceremony planned for Sept. 11

Grammy winning guitarist to play small-venue concert for Evergreen Habitat

Construction Briefs

Volunteer Spotlight:

Dave Moss

"I really enjoy working with the equipment; it's like a kid playing with a giant Tonka toy."

On Thursday, August 18^,Dave Moss was hard at work though his office was empty. He traded his suit and tie for a t-shirt and jeans and was out on an Evergreen Habitat build site.

Moss has worked on the Cabrera home every day that his Bank of America team has built in Patten Park since construction began in April. He brings extra tools to make the job site run smoothly. In fact, he furnished excavating equipment from his construction company to backfill two Habitat properties.

Upcoming Events

Women Build ground breaking ceremony

Sept. 11

Doug Smith Concert

Sept. 30

Raising the Roof benefit breakfast

Oct. 28