VC NEWS
Habitat for Humanity Needs Your Help!
by, Nancy Hunt, Editor
Habitat for Humanity is accepting applications for volunteers to build your neighbors not just a house, but also a home.
The Smith family of Birmingham lost their home last June by a tragic
fire. The family had no insurance to cover their home or belongings. Despite
all their efforts they are still living in local shelters.
You can help put the Smith family back in a home by getting involved with
Habitat for Humanity. The application process is easy. Call Mr. Charles
Moore at 555-1234 or go by their headquarters at 4408 R. Scrushy Parkway,
Fairfield, AL.
Next Saturday, November 7th, at 8:00am, we will begin construction on
the Smith’s new home at 1145 West Brook Circle, Hueytown. You are
invited to bring any tools you may have.
When you arrive at the site you will be asked sign a Release Waiver and
Liability form before you can begin to help. With the help of many of
you Habitat for Humanity plans to finish this home in one day.
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry founded in 1976,
based in Americus, GA. There is over 1,650 affiliates in the U.S. and
is recognized among the top fifty most productive affiliates.
The mission statement for Habitat for Humanity is as follows:
Habitat Birmingham works in partnership with God and people everywhere,
from all walks of life, to develop communities with God’s people
in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses
in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s
love and can live and grow into all that God intends.
Alabama natives, Millard and Linda Fuller who now reside in Americus,
GA, founded habitat for Humanity.
Habitat houses are sold to families, not just given away. The price the
families pay is in a mortgage of 44,000, 130/month, help with the labor
of their home plus someone’s new Habitat home. The Habitat for Humanity
affiliate has a goal for 25 houses a year.
Every house must pass an Energy Star inspection. The Energy Star program
is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency along with the
Department of Energy. Test include pressurizing the duct system to test
for air leaks, calculating the amount of window space, taking into account
the angle in which the house is positioned and testing for leaks throughout
the entire house.
Even if you cannot operate a hammer, Habitat for Humanity still needs
volunteers to work in other areas. You can donate merchandise or money.
In our office they need people to answer the phone lines, filing, typing,
general office duties. The hours volunteered can vary upon the need of
the volunteree.
When volunteering with Habitat for Humanity you will be able to send a
strong message to the community about your commitment. Volunteering also
develops leadership, enhances problem solving abilities, improves teamwork
skills, builds camaraderie and friendship, enhances skills and morale,
encourages volunteer activities and participation, and enable supporters
to see tangible results of their efforts and money.
Habitat Birmingham was named one of Birmingham’s Best Companies
for Working Families by Birmingham Family Times Magazine in October 2002.
Habitat hopes to see everyone on November 7th to help build the Smith
family their new home!
sources: http://www.habitatforhumanity.org
Source: http://www.habitat.org/script/link.asp?url=www%2Ehabitatbham%2Eorg