|
Habitat NEGA's Happenings | Building Hope * One Home at a Time |
| | |
Here are the latest opportunities to help strengthen
your faith and connect with the community.
| | |
Demorest Elementary and Jack P Nix
Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to volunteer at a Habitat Build Site without ever setting foot on the actual build site? If you have, Jack P Nix Elementary School in White County and Demorest Elementary School in Habersham answered that question with a resounding, “Yes!”. As you may know, it’s a long-standing Habitat tradition that well wishes and “Welcome Home” messages be written on the 2x4s making up the frame of each Habitat Home. And, in the spirit of that tradition, the art classes at each school, (led by Art Teachers Katie DeFoor at Jack P Nix and Taylor Guilloud at Demorest Elementary), were asked if they would like to be a part of this tradition - thus making them a part of a Habitat Home Build! Well, the creative and talented students at each school went far above and beyond just writing messages. These amazing artists painted and designed each 2x4 with beautiful, heartfelt pictures and sweet messages of hope, happiness and joy! And, each framing board will become an endearing and permanent addition to Habitat Home #81! Said Katie DeFoor, “Our little artists have been asked by Brian Young, Executive Director at Habitat For Humanity of NE GA, to add words of encouragement and positive images to lumber that will be used in the next home build. This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to be a part of a meaningful community effort. It has been a joy to read and see the kind of messages they came up with. We loved helping and we are so thankful to have been asked to do such a cool thing!” Everyone here at Habitat of NE GA can't wait to have their amazing, creative work and caring messages become a lasting and endearing part of House #81 and we thank them for their support of Habitat of NE GA.
| | | |
Closed on House #77-
Trinity Howell
Habitat For Humanity of NE GA would like to say ”CONGRATULATIONS!” to our newest Habitat Homeowner, Trinity Howell! Trinity’s journey with Habitat of NE GA began in 2020 and culminated in the closing of her home on January 29th. And - throughout the process, Trinity never lost Faith, worked tirelessly towards her dream of becoming a Habitat homeowner and remained dedicated and determined to building a stable, secure life for her and her family. Now, Trinity has a home she can call HER OWN…a place of happiness, joy and where many memories will be made. At Habitat, we believe that everyone deserves a place to call home, and seeing dreams come true – like Trinity’s, is what inspires us every day. To Trinity, your perseverance, dedication and hard work has paid off, and everyone at Habitat of NE GA couldn't be more proud of you!
| |  | |
Groundbreaking on House #81
Groundbreaking News! In March, Habitat For Humanity of NE GA had the honor of hosting a Groundbreaking Ceremony for Christina Cody and Habitat House #81! It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon and the joy and excitement in the air could be felt by the many friends and family members, Habitat Board members and staff, volunteers as well as other Habitat Partner Families in attendance. This groundbreaking marks the beginning of a journey towards Habitat Homeownership for Christina and – in 5 or so months from now, we all look forward to being back at this site for a Home Dedication.
| | | |
|
Volunteers
Each Habitat Home is built entirely by volunteers and represents a truly collaborative effort by the amazing community we serve. Without the support of so many individuals, community groups, churches, local businesses and others, we simply would not be able to do what we do. Ebenezer Methodist Church of Clarkesville was on-site to help put the finishing touches on House #79. We graciously thank them for thinking of Habitat of NE GA when planning their community efforts and supporting our Mission of building homes, communities and hope!
| |
Veterans Welcomed
Habitat of NE GA deeply appreciates the service and sacrifices our Veterans have made for our country, and we understand that finding a place to call home is a significant step in building a stable and fulfilling life after service. That’s why we’re encouraging Veterans and their families to apply for Habitat Homeownership.
Habitat’s Homeownership Program is about empowerment, creating stability and setting the foundation for which families can grow and thrive.
To learn more about our program and how it can benefit you and your family, please email: Brian Young, Executive Director at: director@habitatnega.org. Or visit: https://habitatnega.org/home-ownership/
| |
Board of Directors
Serving on a Board of Directors is a commitment that requires more than just attending meetings; it demands active involvement, a genuine connection to those being served and, most of all, a heartfelt passion for the organization’s mission and purpose. Strong Boards bring together dedicated individuals with diverse backgrounds, skill sets and networks who share a commitment to service and their community. They work collaboratively as an advocate, a visionary, an ambassador and volunteer for the singular purpose of advancing an organization's mission, vision, and impact. Habitat For Humanity of NE GA is blessed to have a Board such as this: From L to R: Dave Gale, Wayne Wilkes, Tom Essex, Dulcie Ariail-Board Secretary, Susan Huffman-Board Treasurer, Rex Wade, Brian Young-Executive Director, Robert Gutowski-Board Vice Chair, Darrell Jones, Jonathan Harris-Board Chair, Kevin Lomax-(Not Pictured)
| | | |
Hogpen Recap
Habitat For Humanity of NE GA wants to thank all of the participants, sponsors, volunteers and supporters who were a part of the the 46th Annual Hogpen Hill Climb 18k & Piglet 5k!
It was bitterly cold, rained a lot, actual snow drifts lined the Richard B Russell Parkway and ice was everywhere. Oh, and the dense fog limited visibility to about 20 feet…and was ice mentioned? But, the participants showed up, conquered the elements, crushed the course and beat the mountain! And, that's what the Hogpen is all about; the mountain, the unpredictable weather of NE GA, a course like no other and an experience one will never forget ....that's the Hogpen - and it supports Habitat For Humanity of NE GA's Home Builds for the coming year! So, GREAT JOB to all who participated and made the 46th Hogpen a truly great event and one we'll never forget!
Also, "Somewhere In Time Photography" was once again there to take pictures and create a great video for both the Piglet 5k and Hogpen 18k. The videos can be seen at: For the 5k: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=srJxnamjY5k... And for the 18k: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=sE9QuxICENE
Finally, one more giant "Thank You" must be said to the following:
*White County GDOT for spending the day before the race clearing the Parkway so the Hogpen Hill Climb could actually finish at Hogpen Gap
*White County Sheriff’s Department for keeping the Hogpen Participants safe along the Parkway and Alt Hwy 75
*Helen Police Department for traffic control within the Helen City Limits
*Clarkesville First Methodist Church and Bethlehem Baptist Church for access to their busses to serve as shuttles to bring 18k participants back down the mountain
*And a special Thank You goes out to the Piedmont Men’s Tennis Team for braving the cold and manning the water stations, helping direct runners along the 18k course and providing a source of cheering and support to everyone coming by!
What a great event and we're already looking forward to 2026 and The 47th Annual Hogpen Hill Climb!
| We would like to thank our 2025 Sponsors. | | | |
We Need Your Help!
At Habitat For Humanity of NE GA, 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. Land donations are huge way to help Habitat of NE GA fulfill our Mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope…one family at a time.
| | |
New ReStore Manager
Habitat For Humanity of NE GA is proud and honored to announce that, Janet Hayes, has accepted the role of ReStore Manager. Many of you who shop our ReStore may already know Janet as she's been a part of the ReStore Team since April of 2023. During her time at Habitat of NE GA, Janet has done an amazing job while making a major impact in all aspects of ReStore operations - and we are looking forward to an exciting future as she leads the ReStore in 2025 and beyond! If you haven't been to the ReStore in awhile, be sure to stop by to congratulate Janet, check out some of the new and exciting things going on and stay posted to our Facebook page for big events coming up this year at the ReStore. So, once again, please join us in saying "Congratulations!" to Janet on her new role as ReStore manager!
| | | |
Carpenter's Club
Habitat For Humanity of NE GA would like to invite you to become a "Carpenter's Club" Member by making a one-time donation - or a monthly reoccurring donation, to support our efforts to build decent, affordable homes in your community. It takes a great many resources to build a Habitat Home, and we build year-round alongside Partnering Families and volunteers. By becoming a "Carpenters Club" Member, you help build in a different way. Your donation helps to sustain our year-round homebuilding efforts, guaranteeing the funds necessary to buy much needed construction materials. As a member, it’s as if you are on the Habitat Home construction site, building alongside our Partner Families and volunteers - month after month.
For more information on how to become a Carpenter’s Club Member and the benefits of being a member, please visit:
https://habitatnega.org/donate_qr-htm/carpenters-club/
| | | |
Hogpen 2026
THE DATE HAS BEEN SET FOR THE 47TH ANNUAL HOGPEN HILL CLIMB - JANUARY 17TH, 2026!!!
All of us at Habitat of NE GA are already making preparations for the next edition of this awesome, unique event and - we can say with certainty, some really new and exciting things have been planned thus far! And, "Yes", Georgia's own little "Bavarian Village", Helen, will still be the starting point for both the 18k & 5k and the Hogpen is still gonna run up the mountain to Hogpen Gap! Because, what's the Hogpen Hill Climb if you don't run up the mountain to Hogpen Gap! So, please plan to join Habitat of NE GA for what is certain to be one of the best editions of this race yet while supporting Habitat's Mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope! For more information, please visit: https://habitatnega.org/run-the-hogpen/
| | | |
House #79 & 80
Progress Update - Habitat Houses #79 & #80! Habitat of NE GA would like say a giant "Thank You" to the 100s of passionate volunteers who dedicated 1,000s of hours of work per home, the many groups and businesses from within the Habersham & White County areas who support Habitat and our mission as well as those who make monetary donations or donate needed building supplies or items to our ReStore. With their generous support, Habitat Houses #79 & #80 are both near completion! Habitat of NE GA is blessed for our network of support and we simply couldn't do what we do without each and every person who is a part of - or support, our Habitat Builds. It’s truly amazing the impact that can be made when a community comes together for a common good!
| | | |
Women Build 2025
At Habitat of NE GA, we believe in the power of women coming together to build homes, communities, and hope. Women Build is more than just a construction project; it’s a movement of women empowering each other and making a difference for families in the counties we serve. Together, we’re breaking down barriers and building a brighter future.
What Is Women Build?
Women Build is a program that brings women together from all walks of life to address the critical need for affordable housing in White & Habersham Counties. Through this initiative, women learn construction skills, raise funds for our Habitat Home Builds and work side by side to help local families achieve the dream of homeownership…and have a heck of a lot of fun in the process!
The Affordable Housing Crisis.
The lack of affordable housing is a growing issue. Many families struggle to find safe and stable homes. Rising costs and limited resources make homeownership feel out of reach for those who need it most.
But together, we can change this. By supporting Women Build 2025, you’re not just helping build homes; you’re building opportunities, confidence, and stronger communities.
How You Can Be the Hero in This Mission.
*Volunteer Your Time: Take part in Women Build 2025, May 7th – 10th, and learn hands-on construction skills while making a difference in your community.
*Make A Donation: Your Donation helps Habitat of NE GA purchase much needed building materials and supplies for this year’s Women Build Home, (Habitat House #81)! Every dollar donated makes a difference! To make a donation to support Women Build 2025, please visit: https://habitatnega.org/women-build-donations/
*Spread the Word: Tell Others – friends, family, co-workers, about Habitat of NE GA’s Women Build and inspire others to get involved.
Let’s Build Together.
There’s no better time to take action than now. By joining Women Build 2025, you’re creating real change in the lives of families that live right here in your community.
Together, we can build strength, stability, and self-reliance for families in White & Habersham Counties!
For more information or to register, please visit: https://habitatnega.org/women-build-2025/
Or, please email: Brian Young – HFHNEGA Executive Director at director@habitatnega.org.
Thank you and we hope to see you at the Build Site!
| | | | |
