| Upcoming Events | Chili Cook-off
March 13
Salida |
| Coming Next Month | More Spotlights on Volunteers
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Greetings!
Habitat for Humanity volunteers are busy planning the next season of building affordable housing in Chaffee County. The building permits are in-hand for the duplex to be built next to last year's duplex on Crestone Avenue. This will be the 14th & 15th homes Chaffee County volunteers construct alongside local families.
Volunteers are still needed to coordinate meals, snacks, build days, volunteering and special events for this summer. If one of these tasks sounds fun or you have another idea, please call us to talk about pitching in.
Thank you to everyone who has already made a commitment.
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Executive Director Makes Retirement Plans
Kim Brenner discusses what she plans to do after stepping down
After serving Chaffee County's affordable housing needs for five years, I plan to retire. The word "retirement" still feels awkward and one that just doesn't seem to fit the 43-year old face I see in the mirror. Retirement is a word I grew up believing meant a rocking chair or fishing pole. It meant resigning from life. I have nothing against rocking chairs or fishing poles and have been known to enjoy both from time to time. They simply aren't the focus of my retirement. My focus comes from something I have learned from you.
Community volunteers have demonstrated a different kind of living that is focused on helping others, giving generously and finding joy through service. This kind of active, generous living can be towards family, friends, neighbors, and people we don't know. Generosity is consistent with God's call to live openly with divine love. Living this way is the exact opposite of resigning from life. It is giving of yourself, not to a job, but to others. This is what I retire to do alongside my husband. Together we also look forward to more time to explore the southwest next winter.
Community volunteers have taught me to "add a zero". When thinking of volunteering for two hours, why not "add a zero" and make it twenty? When thinking of donating fifty dollars, why not "add a zero" and make it five hundred? This is what those involved with Habitat for Humanity have demonstrated over the past five years. It is your generosity that has consistently contributed to affordable housing success and it is this kind of generosity that creates a sustainable future.
What does my retirement mean for Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity?
It means we will be hiring a new executive director this summer. A search committee is being formed to select a new executive director who will lead the organization in accomplishing the Habitat for Humanity mission in Chaffee County. This is an exciting time and we are in the process of identifying the skills and talents that will be most beneficial. If you have thought about getting more involved with affordable housing, please consider joining us to:
Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
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Sharon, left, Cerecia and Anthony
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Cerecia Meyer excited for new house
Says it felt like she won the lottery
When Cerecia Meyer found out she had been selected to be one as a Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity's Partner Family, she was so excited she began jumping up and down.
"My mom thought I'd won the lottery, and to me, I did." Cerecia said. "We were having a small Christmas party at the time, and it was the best Christmas gift we could have received." Cerecia, who was born in Texas, was a navy brat, and lived in California and Virginia growing up. She moved to Colorado 17 years ago, and to Salida five years ago. She took a crew position at McDonalds, and has worked her way up to Department Manager. It was in the breakroom at McDonalds that Cerecia found an application flyer for Habitat. After five years of renting a place in Poncha Springs for herself and her seven-year-old son Anthony, Cerecia said she was ready for her own place. Cerecia has been working most of her "sweat equity" hours with the Boys and Girls Club of Chaffee County in Salida, where Anthony likes to hang out, and has been working with Sharon Adcock, her Family Coach. "I've enjoyed visiting and getting to know them," Sharon said. "It's nice to see people excited about moving up." "Sharon is wonderful," Cerecia said. "She is the best person I've ever met. She makes us banana bread and cookies; working with her is great!" When asked what he thought about all this, Anthony simply said, "It's cool, but I'm only seven, so I can't really help you build the house."
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Up Coming Events in February and March Chili Cook-off and Fundraiser a fun and free way to help out
Coming up from 4-8 p.m. February 22 is the Art and Dance Gala.
Sponsored by Tenderfoot Dance Cooperative, dance and music will be provided, along with purchasable artwork, including paintings and prints by Linda Francs of Four Winds Gallery and photographic fine art by Wiley Middleton.
The event will be at 1548 G St. Unit 5 in Salida.
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This year's Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Appreciation Chili Cook-off will be March 13, 2014 at the Salida Community Center.
There will be door prizes and more, so start digging out your best chili recipe, because the competition will be tough.
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Help Wanted Some of the positions we are in need of at Habitat
Faith Relations Leader: Will help develop a bridge between the faith community and Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity
Application Coach: WIll help families as they apply for affordable housing
Public Relations Team Member: Will help write and edit the monthly newsletter and press releases
For more information on any of these positions, please contact Molly Shethar at 71-395-7585.
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This newsletter is dedicated to every volunteer, donor, and ReStore shopper. You are the reason families in this community realize transformed lives and homeownership. Thank you for believing in the mission that brings us together: Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Please keep us in your prayers as the community comes together to accomplish this transformational work. Sincerely, Kim Brenner
Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity |
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