Habitat CFC honors George and Carol Bauer at the 2017 Havana Nights benefit.
February 2017 Newsletter

Greetings!  

Who are your heroes? Many of us grew up idolizing celebrities, great thinkers, world leaders - people who seemed to have it all. At some point we realize that the people we venerate as children may have admirable abilities, but that this alone may not make them worthy of our adulation. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t heroes out there – we just need to change our definition of heroism.

Last week, we presented Carol and George Bauer with Habitat’s Second Mile Award, recognizing their extraordinary service and support. The Bauers are celebrated philanthropists, but their leadership and commitment extends well beyond their generous contributions. They are driven by a desire to help “level the playing field” and they believe in getting personally involved in the causes that they support. Carol and George are regular participants in Habitat builds, both here in Fairfield County and elsewhere through Habitat International. They honor us with their faith in our organization, belief in our mission, and participation in our work!

Every day at Habitat CFC is a mix of new families aspiring to home ownership, families who have successfully navigated the process and are thriving in their homes, new building possibilities and their impact on neighborhoods, and the many homes already in varied stages of construction. None of this would happen without the support, leadership and commitment of people like Carol and George Bauer. The Bauers are not big on recognition, but they sure sound like heroes to me!

         Sincerely,

        Stuart D. Adelberg 
        Chief Executive Officer 
news

Our 2017 Havana Nights Benefit took place on February 25, 2017. It was a fun filled night with mojito cocktails, a Cuban cuisine seated dinner by OnTheMarc, a silent auction and dancing with the Pasofino Social Club playing live Latin music at the Fairfield Theatre Company Warehouse. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and made the night a great success! Thanks also to our wonderful sponsors, auction item/flower donors, everyone who donated and bid, our volunteers/supporters, The Pasofino Social ClubLatin Rythm Dance StudioFairfield Theatre Company, and Bob Capazzo & Big Picture from A Touch of Color Photography. To see all of Havana Nights' supporters click here for our Digital Program.

Click here to see more photos and/or click here to watch a video from Havana Nights, and start getting excited for next year's event!

Happily Ever After...

At the Havana Nights benefit, we featured four of our homeowners, and during the audio presentation ( listen here), it was inspiring to hear the families tell their stories about applying to Habitat and how an affordable homeownership opportunity changed their lives for the better!

Clockwise from top left:
The Young Family - house purchased in 2012
The DeCampos Family - house purchased in 2005
The Berenguel Family - house purchased in 2000
The Todd Family - house purchased in 2016

Click here to find out more about applying for a Habitat House.
Youth United's  Festival of Books

On February 19, Youth United - a program focused on giving children and young adults the opportunity to work together to sponsor/build a house with Habitat CFC - hosted a Festival of Books at the Habitat CFC warehouse.

Youth United collects thousands of children's books for the bookcases given to Habitat homeowners and decided to share the books with a wider audience through the Festival of Books. At this event, participants were treated to stories from well-known storyteller and coordinator of Bridgeport's Parent Leadership Training Institute, Gina LeVon Simpson, and could take home 10 free books, or more if they brought books to swap!

Click here to find out more about Youth United.

Meet Our Newest Staff Member!

Habitat CFC welcomed  Rachele DeLorenzo earlier this month as its new Communications Coordinator.

Rachele graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor's degree in Advertising/Public Relations and a minor in Psychology. She has worked and volunteered in communications at nonprofit organizations for the past six years and has marketing agency experience as well.

We're glad to have her aboard!
upcoming events

Mark Your Calendars!

If you didn't get a chance to support Habitat CFC during our Havana Nights benefit, you can still help to create affordable homeownership opportunities for hard-working families in Fairfield County by donating to Habitat CFC on March 9th during FCGives!

FCGives is a 24-hour Giving Day hosted by Fairfield County's Community Foundation to support local nonprofits, so be on the lookout for more information soon!
Come See What Treasures You Can Find at the ReStore 
1785 Stratford Avenue, Stratford
Just off exit 31 I-95 
(store entrance is on Honeyspot Rd.)

ReStore Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday 9am to 4pm, 
Closed Sunday and Monday


Multiple rooms covering  over 40,000 sq. feet  displaying construction items, applianes and home furnishings all for sale at discount prices!

To stay up to-date on the ReStore happenings
and daily inventory updates, check the ReStore Facebook page  here

The ReStore accepts donations of furniture, appliances and home remodeling goods from companies and individuals. Call 203-383-4358 or email:  donate@restorecfc.org if you need a pick up. 
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County |  203-333-2642