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Habitat NEGA's Happenings | Building Hope, One Home At A Time |
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It’s Hard To Believe It’s Been 40 Years!
| | March 15th marked the 40th Anniversary of Habitat For Humanity of NE GA's very first Groundbreaking. On that day in 1986, the headline read “The Day Has Arrived And Everyone Is Invited", and everyone in the Habersham and White County areas were invited to the Groundbreaking of Habitat House #1. This special event was held on Hood Street in Cleveland, GA and was for Habitat of NE GA's first ever Partner Family - Mary Nicely and her four children. The ceremony was led by Rev. Gerald Peterson of St Mark's Catholic Church of Clarkesville with Bo Turner - Habitat Director and Clarkesville Mayor and People's Bank President and Cleveland Chamber of Commerce Representative - Don Ricketts, each taking part in the ceremony. Since that day of "firsts" way back on March 15th, 1986, Habitat For Humanity of NE GA has built more than 82 Habitat Homes in White & Habersham Counties with Habitat Houses #83 and #84 currently under construction and the groundbreaking of House #85 planned for later this spring. | | Collegiate Build Week With The University of Connecticut | | Everyone here at Habitat For Humanity of NE GA was incredibly excited to welcome the "Honored Across State Borders" group from the University of Connecticut for a Collegiate Build Week – held the week of March 16th! "Honors Across State Borders" is a student-led service organization that focuses on combining education, service, and community engagement to work toward long-term change. And, these amazing students chose to spend their entire week of Spring Break taking part in numerous volunteer projects at our Build Sites and ReStore. Although typical Georgia March weather greeted them - thunderstorms, tornado warnings, high winds, plummeting temperatures, a little snow and sleet along with a Winter Weather Advisory and – to top it off, a High Pollen Alert, their enthusiasm and eagerness to be a part of what we do at HFHNEGA was overwhelming and powered this great group through the first few days. And, by week’s end, these amazing students dedicated more than 1,250 volunteer hours to our Affiliate – simply amazing! All of us at HFHNEGA are so incredibly thankful and blessed "Honored Across State Borders" wanted to visit and work side by side with our HFHNEGA staff, volunteers, Partner Families and Board Members in helping us fulfill our Mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope! | | Habitat Partner Family Program | | |
The Home Dedication for The Cattanach Family was held on Saturday, February 7th with many family and friends in attendance along with Habitat For Humanity of NE GA staff, Board members and volunteers - all joining together to celebrate the amazing culmination of The Cattanach Family's journey to Habitat Homeownership. And, after more than a year of hard work, Faith in God's plan and with tireless dedication and commitment, Habitat House #82 is now The Cattanach Family's HOME. Please join all of us at HFHNEGA in congratulating The Cattanach Family on their new home!
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Every Partner Family’s story is different and the path that led them to Habitat For Humanity of NE GA is different as well. Despite the differences, each Partner Family shares a common dream of building a life for their family that is filled with hope, happiness and opportunity.
Within each Partner Family’s journey, there is that first moment where their dream of homeownership becomes more than just a dream, but something tangible. That “something tangible” can take many forms and for Kayla Ellis (below), that moment came when she had the opportunity to walk on the actual plot of land that will someday transform from wooded lot to her family’s HOME! And, for Elizabeth Harbin (above), she helped to place the flooring on the home that her and her husband – Eythan, and family will call their HOME!
Moments like these – a Partner Family taking their very first steps on the land that will one day become their family’s home or seeing the foundation of their home take shape are special, can be overwhelming and are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For those of us at HFHNEGA – staff, board members and our many amazing volunteers, that beautiful first moment a Partner Family experiences that realization of HOME is what inspires us to keep doing what we do each day...
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“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” – 2 Corinthians 4:18.
The writing of messages of Faith, hope and inspiration on the 2x4s making up the frame of a Habitat Home has been a long-standing tradition and one that is cherished by the many build site volunteers who write them and those Partner Families who read them. And, when a Habitat House is completed and becomes a Partner Family's home, those messages - like these pictured here from Habitat House #83, are hidden behind the interior walls. But, although hidden, the messages remain forever etched on the framing boards and serve as a lasting blessing to the Partner Family and their Habitat Home.
| Community Strong – Tradition Meets Mission | | | Our Mission at HFHNEGA is to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. And, we are blessed by the many businesses, community service groups, churches, local educational institutions, individuals and others who advocate, support and/or contribute through volunteering or providing much needed financial support. But, there are those who may not be able to be a part of what we do - at least directly. So, how do we at HFHNEGA work to fulfill our Mission to those who may not be able to actually visit our Build Site or ReStore? One way is by reaching out to local elementary schools and asking if their art students - those too young to volunteer at a Build Site, would like to be a part of the Habitat tradition of writing messages, painting and decorating the 2x4s used in the framework of a Habitat Home. These beautifully designed works of art will forever be a part of a Partner Family's home and - in doing so, allow those who may not otherwise be able to volunteer at a Build Site still be an integral part of a Habitat Home Build. In support of this, HFHNEGA would like to say a big "THANK YOU" to both Level Grove Elementary as well as Hazel Grove Elementary for being a part of what we do! Their amazing art work will be within the framework of Habitat Houses #83 and #84, and be a part of the blessings shared within the walls of each Partner Family's Home forever! | | Community Leadership & Engagement | | |
HFHNEGA Executive Director – Brian Young, is a member of The Leadership Habersham class of 2025/2026 and in February had the opportunity to visit the Georgia State Capital, attend sessions in both the Senate and the House and meet with some of the Habersham & White County Leaders making a big impact in the region and State. Per Brian Young, “Leadership Habersham is a tremendous opportunity to join forces with other Habersham County Leaders to work towards the common goal of strengthening the community in which we all serve. Through various activities and projects, Leadership Habersham raises awareness and provides insight into the economic, educational, social and civic aspects of Habersham County which, in the end, will allow each participant and their organization to better meet and achieve their own Mission to serve.”
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“Sweep The Hooch”
| | On Saturday, March 21, The Chattahoochee River Keepers hosted their 16th Annual “Sweep the Hooch”. The event brought together nearly 1,400 volunteers for a watershed-wide day of service. Spread out across 67 parks, creeks, and river access points, more than 33 TONS of trash and recyclables we removed from our waterways! Habitat For Humanity of NE GA was excited to partner with Cool River Tubing & Adventures along the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Helen for this great event for a great cause! | | |
It’s been quite a couple years for Tiffany Kinnarath - from Habitat Partner Family, to Habitat Volunteer, then to ReStore Team Member followed by becoming the Assistant ReStore Manager. And now, all of us here at HFHNEGA are excited and proud to announce that Tiffany - because of her Faith, hard work, dedication and passion for HFHNEGA, has been promoted to the role of Habitat For Humanity of NE GA ReStore Manager! With Tiffany's guidance and leadership, we can't wait to see what amazing things the future holds for the ReStore of HFHNEGA!
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| If you haven’t been to the ReStore in a while or if you were just there, its likely something new has been brought to the sales floor since your last visit. The ReStore Team of Gabe Morales, Aaron Morales, Shelby Whitlow and ReStore Manager – Tiffany Kinnarath, are making sure new items are brought out to the sales floor daily! So, if you didn't find an item you were looking for on your first trip to The ReStore, it may be there on your second - you just never know. AND, by shopping at The ReStore or making a donation to it, you're directly supporting a Habitat Home Build and, most of all, a Habitat Partner Family's home. The ReStore, is located at 1085 Rocky Branch Rd, Clarkesville and is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 9am until 2pm. We hope to see you soon! | |
Habitat For Humanity of NE GA “Can’t Miss” Events!
The 48th Annual Hogpen Hillclimb 18k & Cool River Tubing 5k
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As you know, the Hogpen Hill Climb 18k and Cool River Tubing 5k is a really awesome, unique, one-of-a-kind event. And, it’s safe to say it’s a pretty big deal already. But, we’ve got some BIG NEWS to share that’s going to make it an even BIGGER deal!
How’s “Bigger” even possible you ask? How about that The Cool River Tubing 5k course is now USATF Certified and is an official Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race Qualifier! And, if you ran the 5k course this past year, you know it’s not only scenic, but flat and super fast! So, if you're looking for a great qualifying time next year for the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race, the Cool River Tubing 5k is your destination race!
Needless to say this ups our already through the roof level of excitement for The 48th Annual Hogpen Hillclimb 18k & Cool River Tubing 5k to be held on January 16th, 2027.
But wait, there’s more…
For the 48th Edition of this great race, not only is Cool River Tubing the 5k title sponsor, but partnering with them as primary sponsors of the event are Georgia Mountain Coaster & Fourth Mountain Real Estate! And, The Rolling Rice Food Truck will be back in 2027 serving amazing post-race grub to all 18k and 5k participants (...anyone else eat their body weight in egg rolls this past race day?), a DJ is booked for pre and post-race fun and the now USATF Certified 5k Course will again travel along the Chattahoochee River to the Hardman Farm State Historic Site!
And, it’s never too early to become a part of what is certain to be an amazing 48th Hogpen so if you’d like to sponsor the 2027 edition of this great race – or take part in another way, please email Brian Young, Executive Director at: director@habitatnega.org. Oh, and registration is open as well at: www.runthehogpen.org
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Women of Habersham & White Counties, Let’s Build Together!
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Habitat For Humanity of NE GA’s Women Build 2026 event will take place during the weeks of September 22nd through September 26th & September 29th through October 3rd. And, “yes” you read that right…due to the excitement, enthusiasm and overwhelming support of WB2025, we’ve extended WB2026 to two weeks!
If you’re unfamiliar, Women Build is a longstanding HFHNEGA event where women within the Habersham & White County areas come together in the building of a Habitat Home. In this collaboration, Women Build's objective is to build strength and stability within our local communities while providing independence to local families through the building of safe, secure and affordable housing.
And, although community advocacy, support and collaboration are the primary goals of WB, we encourage each participant or group to help raise money or make a donation in support of the event and our Habitat Home Builds. Our cost to build a Habitat Home has more than doubled in recent years and it has become increasingly challenging to fulfill our Mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. And – did you know, our Habitat Homes are 100% funded via fundraisers – such as Women Build, monetary donations from individuals, community groups and local businesses as well as donations of building supplies and skilled labor…all the while being constructed almost entirely by our dedicated HFHNEGA Volunteers. But, in order for us to be able to continue to Build, we need your help. Every dollar donated makes a difference. To make a donation, please visit: https://habitatnega.org/donate_qr-htm/
So, please plan to join HFHNEGA for two weeks of empowerment and service. WB2026 is the perfect opportunity to share a meaningful, vital - and fun, experience with family, friends and coworkers...all the while having a lasting impact on your community!
For more information or to schedule a specific WB2026 timeslot for you and/or your group, please email: Brian Young, Executive Director at: director@habitatnega.org.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” - 1 Peter 4:10
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At HFHNEGA, we are dedicated to helping families who are in need of decent, affordable housing achieve their dream of homeownership. But we can’t meet this need without land to build on…and this is where we’re asking for your help.
What Kind of Land Do We Need?
*Lots need to be buildable for a 1,200 - 1,400 square foot house. The land cannot have a steep grade nor include special stipulations that increase costs. Ideally, the property would allow for the construction of no less than two Habitat Homes.
How to Donate Land to Habitat for Humanity of NE GA?
*MAKE A GIFT TODAY: Donating real estate frees you from the costs and responsibilities of land ownership. Also, making an outright gift of property offers many tax benefits.
*MAKE A BARGAIN SALE: A bargain sale occurs when you sell real estate to Habitat for less than its current fair market value. After Habitat purchases your property, you receive cash and a charitable deduction, and we receive the property at a reduced price allowing us to pass that cost reduction down to our Habitat Partner Families by reducing home costs. And, we all benefit financially.
If you are aware of available properties for sale or possible donation, please email Brian Young, Executive Director at: director@habitatnega.org.
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How You Can Make An Impact | |
If you're wanting to become more involved in your community, please think of Habitat For Humanity of NE GA. Whether volunteering at our Build Site or at the ReStore, there are many opportunities to support your community and our Mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope! Because - when you choose to volunteer, you're not just becoming involved in your community, you are also working to strengthen it as well.
For more information on what volunteer opportunities are available at Habitat of NE GA, please email Brian Young - Executive Director at: director@habitatnega.org.
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Please donate to help keep your community thriving at:
https://habitatnega.org/make-a-one-time-donation/
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