Recently a team from Gartner, Inc., raised the first floor walls on our fourth Veterans Build home for Army Veteran Marcia Morris and her family. Habitat CFC’s Veterans Build program provides homeownership opportunities to Veterans and also encourages Veterans, active duty service members and their families to help other Veterans and their families. As troops return from service, attention should be focused on ways to honor all Veterans and support the transition of returning Veterans, especially given the current economic circumstances that limit job opportunities and the availability of affordable housing. Marcia and her family will move into their new home when it is complete and a new Veterans Build is already being planned for our Granfield Avenue community! More information about our Veterans Build program can be found here.
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The Mathurin Family Home Dedication
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On May 11th the beautiful weather was perfect for us to celebrate the Mathurin Family Home Dedication! Friends, family, Habitat CFC Board members and volunteers came out to participate in the ceremony and wish the family well in their new home. We were honored that
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim
came and gave a moving speech about us. The family will move into their new home soon! We hope you can join us for a future dedication if you missed today's ceremony!
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An Unexpected ReStore Customer- Open Door Tea
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Habitat CFC often receives in-kind donations from local businesses for our benefit silent auctions which really helps our fundraising efforts. Not long before our Benefit in April, we received an email from Kasia Lindeberg, the owner of Open Door Tea, a tea room in Stratford selling over 100 varieties of tea and healthy foods. Kasia wrote that she wanted to create a basket full of teas from her shop for the auction. Habitat CFC was delighted so we went to pick up the basket. Having never been in the shop, when we opened the door we immediately smelled the aroma of teas brewing and food cooking. Customers filled the tables and chairs around the room and the place felt so comfortable and peaceful.
We told Kasia that the decor of her shop was really special. She smiled and replied, “I bought all of my furniture for the shop at the ReStore! Everyday someone asks me where I found such unique pieces. Everyone likes that the sets are all mismatched,” Kasia paused. “It took me over a year to collect the furniture, but these pieces really make Open Door Tea special. Sometimes my customers say ‘I feel like I’m at home’ which makes me happy.”
When asked why she wanted to make a donation, Kasia said, “I feel that the ReStore is a big part of my shop. It is my faith that makes me support Habitat and organizations that help people.”
Thanks Kasia! We appreciate your generosity!
Click here for more pictures.
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Our Annual Report is out and it's full of last year's highlights and photos of our friends and donors who made 2018 a successful year!!!
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Two Important Habitat Friends
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In 1990,
Ann Stoddart
became our first Executive Director. Ann was responsible for establishing or building nearly every process and procedure that formed the foundation for our growth. We honored Ann in 2010 for 20 years of devotion and service to our affiliate. Ann passed away on May 3, 2019 but she will continue living in the hearts of area businesses, volunteers, staff, community, and especially our homeowners. Habitat for Humanity CFC has built 220+ houses and this would not have been possible without the vision and hard work of Ann. She really left her mark on this affiliate and all those who had the privilege of knowing her. We thank her children Cheryl, Diane, Karen, Dean, and granddaughter Susie for sharing her with us for so many years.
We at Habitat CFC pledge to continue the work that Ann started to make this Habitat even stronger and more productive.
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It is with great sadness that we said goodbye to longtime Core Volunteer
Robert Koch
earlier this month. Bob passed away at the age of 93, and was still active in his volunteering with Habitat. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Black Hawk Division which saw action in both the European and Pacific theaters of war and where he was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal. Bob began working with Habitat CFC in 1999 and soon became a 3-day-a-week Core Volunteer. He was Volunteer of the Year in 2001 and received the 2nd Mile Award in 2014. Through his years of working with us, he did everything from rough framing to fine finished carpentry. Bob won the hearts and respect of everyone he met regardless of the person's age or background. There were many things that we admired in Bob. First was his accepting attitude and teaching ability with other volunteers. Next was his calmness, accuracy, and thoroughness; you always knew that the job would be done well, with no drama and no need for affirmation. Last, but not least, was his unselfish service to others, his love for his family, and his kindness. He will always be in our hearts and will be dearly missed.
Several of us were thrilled when Bob was able to stop by for a brief visit last December (photo above).
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Growing Habitat CFC's Construction Team
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Meet Habitat CFC's Newest Team Member
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Habitat CFC added a new member to our construction team in May.
Fred Hartley joined us as a
Project Manager.
Fred brings over 25 years of residential construction experience to Habitat CFC having worked on projects ranging from residential condominium complexes to high end custom homes throughout the northeast. As a Bridgeport resident, Fred is excited to put his talent to work restoring the City he and his wife, Jennifer, call home. Fred is well suited to mobilize large groups of volunteers towards a common goal thanks to his training as a medic in the National Guard. When he isn’t at work building homes you can find Fred working on his motorcycle, cars or boat.
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Donating your vehicle helps local families... and it might save you money!
💵
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RESERVE YOUR SPACE for the Habitat CFC Golf Outing
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We will hold our
26th
Annual Benefit
Golf Outing
on Monday, September 16th at
The Country Club of Fairfield
.
If you register by June 30th, you will receive a
$300
discount on a foursome or a
$100
discount on a single-player ticket.
All of the proceeds from this event will go directly toward building and providing affordable homeownership opportunities to hardworking families in Coastal Fairfield County.
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Habitat CFC's 5K Run is Happening Again...
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The 5K Run for Home was created over 20 years ago by Habitat CFC Co-Founder John Olson and has been one of Habitat CFC’s main events over the years.
The fast and flat course makes the 5K run the perfect opportunity for serious runners to set personal records and all abilities to enjoy our scenic course. The WorkBoot Challenge is a one mile event prior to the 5k and offers participants the challenge of wearing workboots (or ANY boots) on the shorter course. This race is produced in association with Marty Schaivone – M.S. Running Productions. Register early for discounted tickets:
$25 – register online thru July 31 – all events same price – ‘Challenge’, 5K, One-Mile
$27 – register online between August 1 and October 4 – all events same price
$20 – register online (for ages 13 and under) through October 4
$35 – register at the race (and at packet pickup on Friday)
Free Dri-Fit T-shirt – in your size if you register before September 1, 2019.
Registration is Open!!
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1785 Stratford Avenue, Stratford
Just off exit 31 I-95
(store entrance is on Honeyspot Road)
203-383-4358
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ReStore Hours
Tuesday - Friday 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday - 9 am to 4 pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
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Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County | 203-333-2642
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