Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity Newsletter
 
August 2015
In This Issue

Upcoming Events

August 22: ReStore Yard Sale, all day

 

September 1: ReStore Volunteer Brainstorming Session, 11 a.m. at the ReStore, lunch provided

 

Late August/Early September: Dedication of the Johnson Village Home

Coming Next Month
Quick Links
Title Banner
Greetings!

 

On behalf of the Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity staff, I would like to thank all of our volunteers for their continued support of the Habitat mission. 

 

We cannot build affordable housing in Chaffee County without you! Whether you are volunteering your time, talent or resources, it does make a difference in the lives of the families we serve.

 

Jill Smola

Executive Director 

2015 Bike & Build - Chaffee County
Pedaling for affordable housing

Earlier this summer two groups consisting of sixty-one dedicated young adults embarked on a life-changing journey with the Bike & Build Organization. The first group of cyclists left Nags Head, North Carolina on May 16th and the second group departed from New Haven, Connecticut on June 13th. Each team rides cross-country, while staying in multiple communities with a mission to assist and enable affordable housing efforts throughout the nation. To-date, these two Bike & Build Teams have raised a total of $328,425.00 to benefit affordable housing. Chaffee County is a designated build stop by each of these groups. Each team rode into the valley with the purpose of assisting Habitat for Humanity in providing decent, affordable housing in our community. Their hard work, compassion and dedication to the affordable housing cause are greatly appreciated and admired throughout the United States.

The North Carolina to San Diego group descended into Buena Vista on July2nd after getting caught in a bone-chilling thunder and hail storm while traveling from Colorado Springs. The team appreciated the delicious pizzas prepared by Dominos, as well as the comfortable accommodations at the United Congregational Church. At 8:00am on July 3rd the group arrived at the Johnson Village project to report for work. Since the Blitz Build site had a few final punch list items, part of the group traveled to Nathrop, while the remaining workers stayed in Johnson Village to assist local volunteers with taping/texturing the drywall and installing roof shingles. The Nathrop crew worked on flooring and final punch list items. After the work day, the Bike & Build Team attended a community Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser prepared by Gordon Lacy. They truly enjoyed the sites and stores in Buena Vista and spent their final evening at the United Congregational Church. In the early morning of July 4th, the riders packed-up and headed towards Gunnison and will continue west before concluding their trip in the San Diego sunshine on July 24th.

The Connecticut to San Francisco Bike & Build team rode into Salida on July 28th with the purpose of assisting Habitat for Humanity in providing decent, affordable housing in Chaffee County. The group arrived in Salida on Tuesday evening; they enjoyed a deliciously-prepared soup dinner and accommodations at the First Lutheran Church, as well as showers and swimming at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center. On July 29th, the team worked with local volunteers at the project site on Crestone Avenue; they placed patio pavers and painted the storage sheds. Following their laborious build-day, the group stayed a second evening at the First Lutheran Church and again, they greatly appreciated their lodging accommodations and amenities of the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center. The cyclists departed for Montrose, Colorado during the early-morning hours of July 30th with the goal of reaching their final destination of San Francisco, California on August 24th.

Both Bike & Build teams enjoyed their time in Chaffee County and appreciated the hospitality they received from our community. We, at Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity, would especially like to recognize the North Carolina to San Diego and the Connecticut to California Bike & Build Teams, Lois Hansen for preparing delicious, homemade dinners on both evenings in Salida, the Salida First Lutheran Church for the comfortable accommodations, The City of Salida Recreation Department for sponsoring showers and swimming for the group, Antero Septic for the Portable Toilet, Cornerstone Church for the awesome breakfast burritos on the day of departure, Spoon It Up for providing a variety of their specialty baked breads, Dominos of Buena Vista for donating use of their pizza warmer, as well as the Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity Board members, local volunteers, interns and staff. This event was a success because of the hard work, generosity and support of our local community.

If you would like to apply for the 2016 Habitat Home, please contact Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity at 719-395-0482 or stop by our office at 27951 County Road 319 in Buena Vista. The application deadline for the 2016 Chaffee Habitat for Humanity Build Season is August 31st, 2015. 



Mac & Cheese fundraiser a big success
Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity raises over $5000
 
Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce the results of their 2nd Mac & Cheese Bake-off Fundraiser held at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort Pavilion on Thursday, August 13, 2015. New to this year's event was the addition of a silent auction which included a variety of generous donations from local businesses. More than 175 people were in attendance and $5,000 was raised at this fundraising event to benefit the Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity and its mission to provide decent, affordable housing to families in the county. We would like to thank everyone that contributed to the success of the 2nd Mac & Cheese event.

The 2015 Mac & Cheese Bake-Off was a huge success with 18 competitors vying for the people's choice, first place prize for a $100.00 Scanga Meat Gift Certificate and title of Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity 2015 Mac & Cheese Top Baker. For the more than 175 judges, there was an amazing assortment of Mac & Cheese recipes to sample. The variety ranged from soup to main dishes and even desserts; each baker truly put their hearts and talents into their specialty Mac & Cheese recipes. After everyone was full and had a chance to vote for their favorite, Michael Schell, from House Rock Kitchen of Buena Vista, was selected as the 2015 Mac & Cheese Champion. Congratulations Michael Schell.

The silent auction was also a great success. The auction comprised of 25 items donated by individuals, local artists and several Chaffee County businesses. Some of the items included rafting trips, resort packages, gift cards, artwork and a pair of Gentleman of the Road festival tickets. Additionally, the auction included a set of hand-made Adirondack furniture made by students enrolled in the carpentry program at the Crowley County Correctional Facility.

Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity, would like to recognize the following event sponsors:

Title Sponsor: First Colorado Land Office
Platinum Sponsors: Butala, Central Colorado Title Company, Larry T. King and Company, P.C., Mountain View Carpentry, PSH Signs & Summit Realty
Silver Sponsor: Colorado East Bank

We would also like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their generous donations: Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Leo Accaira and Central Colorado Sound, Elevation Beer, Vino Salida, Little Daisy Liquors, Simple Foods, Norene Anderson and Sue Shoemaker.

Finally, we would like to thank all of the local volunteers, summer interns, staff and the Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity Board members. This event was a success because of the hard work, generosity, dedication and support of our local community. Start planning now for the 2016 Mac & Cheese Bake-Off.
Volunteer Spotlight: Dennis Riley
Dennis helped build 19 houses for Habitat
 
Name: Dennis Riley

Hometown: Hobart, Indiana

Education: High School Grad

Work/job with Habitat: Everything

Length of time with Habitat: Building 14 houses in Chaffee County, 4 houses in New Mexico, 1 house in Greeley, CO

Favorite Experience: Traveling with our three children to 49 states and Mexico and Canada. One trip was 10,000 miles in our truck camper. Our youngest was 2 at the time camping all the way to visit state and National Parks and friends and family. Dennis got out of the hot and stinky steel mills (39 years) every chance he got and we traveled North, South, East or West, always knowing we would retire in Colorado and we did!

Favorite Hobby: Snow skiing since 1962, ATVing, fishing and traveling.
2015 Summer Construction Update
Johnson Village Unit D construction completed

Construction of the fourth and final home on the land donated to Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity in Johnson Village has been completed. The final push was provided by an experienced traveling team from Castle Rock/Evergreen. They spent a week working with CCHfH each of the last four years. They handled cabinet, interior door and trim installation. The JV build will become the home for the Maybe family, who are long time Buena Vista residents.

Johnson Village Unit D followed a different construction schedule than previously builds. Construction began in January 2015 with excavation for the footers. Work was conducted two days per week to take advantage of the good weather days we have throughout the winter months. In the spring we stepped it up to our normal Tuesday through Saturday schedule. We took several breaks to work on other Habitat projects. With all of this we completed the home in the normal 26 week time period. Many thanks to everyone that participated or supported this build which is the 17th for Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity.
2015 Summer Schedule

All dates subject to change

  • August 22: ReStore Yard Sale, all day
  • September 1: ReStore Volunteer Brainstorming Session, 11 a.m. at the ReStore, lunch provided
  • Late August/Early September: Dedication of the Johnson Village Home
Volunteers Needed!

Volunteers Needed!
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,
Jill Smola
Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity