107th Home Dedicated to the Rasmussen Family!
Jennifer Rasmussen began her journey with Bend Area Habitat in September 2013. Since then, Jennifer has spent over 400 hours volunteering on the construction site, at the ReStore, has attended financial fitness and homeownership workshops, and has diligently worked on her budget. On Friday May 8, 2015 we celebrated Jennifer's hard work and determination by welcoming her and her daughter Payton into their new Habitat home.
Over 100 friends, family members, Habitat volunteers, and staff came together to hear Jennifer's story, tour her new home, and enjoy a delicious lunch catered by Longboard Louie's. Guests heard from several speakers including Jennifer's Habitat Mentors, Mike and Grace Higham. Mike shared that over the course of working with Jennifer to help her prepare for homeownership, "she became a part of our family". The Highams look forward to celebrating the holidays at Jennifer and Payton's home next year.
Many of her Costco "family" were in attendance and shared how there couldn't be anyone who deserved this home more than their smiling, positive and courageous friend Jennifer.
Jennifer told the crowd how thankful she was for all of the volunteers that helped make the dream of homeownership come true for her family. The Rasmussens had moved several times over the past few years due to rent increases and they very much look forward to the stability of their new home.
There was a teary moment when Robin Cooper Engle (Bend Area Habitat Director of Development) gave Jennifer a plaque in remembrance of her son Bryce who passed away last August. He will always be in their hearts and the plaque will grace a fountain at their new home.
Habitat homeowner Lynelle Collins presented Jennifer with the keys to her new home and welcomed her to the neighborhood. Lynelle shared, "The Habitat homeowners in this neighborhood - we're not just neighbors. We're not just friends. We're family."
So many people across our community had a hand in making Jennifer and Peyton's new home possible. Scott Rohrer (Bend Area Habitat Executive Director) pointed out that over 5000 people directly or indirectly have given, volunteered or otherwise had a hand in building this home. That is over 6% of our Bend community!
Thank you for your part in this amazing story.