HABITAT HEADLINES
December 2020
Photo by Dave Meckler from Pexels

I’ve never seen my father murdered, but Patrick has. I’ve never been in a labor camp for 20 years, but Bahati has. And I’ve never had my family burned to death, but Willy has.

What do these refugees have in common? Three things:

  1. They came into this country legally and are now a part of the Detroit Conference of the United Methodist Church. Like many of us, they work, they worship, they struggle.
  2. The injustices and horrors that have touched their lives, are not the sort they can speak of easily. Their reality causes a frantic heartbeat, anguished looks and tremendous sobs.
  3. Macomb County Habitat for Humanity is TRYING to help.

Patrick is close to becoming mortgage-ready, but he has been sending his down payment earnings to his country to save the lives of his four children and wife. Bahati is ten months away from homeownership, saving every penny she can to bring her mother, father, and two siblings to the USA and away from the labor camps in which they still live in distant Africa. And Willy, his paperwork is still not complete, so he is working with Congressman Andy Levin and other friends to get things settled.

All these people need a Christmas miracle and with the help of prayer and people like you, we hope to bring them “home” this year!

This program that we have with the city of Eastpointe and the Detroit Methodist Conference (Home First) is extremely meaningful. It has shown all of us how very blessed we are to have the basics in life including our well-being and safety- things we may have taken for granted before meeting these brave men and women.

If you would like to help any of these families this holiday season, or beyond, please email me now.

They need warm clothes, down payment assistance, and mentors.

In my career, I am proud to say that through the non-profit organizations I have served, I have been touched in many ways. However, never, have I met people who have survived such horrendous atrocities – such despicable acts of cruelty. And never has my heart been so melted and touched.

Though we cannot bring Patrick’s father home, we can help Patrick. While Bahati worries about her aging and ill mother and father, we can help her and her sister. And finally, though we cannot erase the memories that Willy has of his family, so tragically murdered, we can support and advocate for him so that he will not face the same death sentence in his country. Hopefully, once the paperwork is handled, he will close on his very first home and be reunited with his few surviving relatives.

Together, because of your kindness, we can help all these survivors, and we can rejoice that they have been sent our way to serve. We are up to this challenge, regardless of the obstacles we may face.

Christ has touched us so completely this year. Through people like each of you, we have wrapped our arms around families who were blessed to be born right here, and we have been blessed by the weary travelers and the foreigners who desperately need our kindness.

Honestly, the more we can assist those who need a “hand up,” the closer we all become to living the true meaning of Christmas which is love.

Merry Christmas to all! And may the spirit that has touched us so deeply, infect your heart this season as well.

Helen Hicks
President and CEO
Upcoming Events
YOU'RE INVITED TO A VIRTUAL GALA!
Join Macomb County Habitat for Humanity on Friday, February 12th, 2021 for a virtual gala to support the building and rehabbing of homes in Macomb County. Your $25 ticket gets your name displayed on the Virtual Sponsor Banner during the Gala presentation, an entry for a drawing for a Weekend stay at the Bavarian Inn at Frankenmuth with dinner for two at Zehnder's Restaurant. Enjoy a night of fun from the comfort and safety of home!
BELIEVE in the Power of Home
Virtual Gala needs Sponsors
A virtual gala to be held on Friday, February 12th, 2021, is in need of Sponsors and donated Auction Items. Follow the links below if you are interested in becoming a sponsor or donating an item to the virtual auction!
Champion of Champions
A Philanthropic Competition for
Leaders in the Community
Champion of Champions is a 16-week challenge, a competition between community leaders and their teams who raise funds for Macomb Habitat for Humanity in honor of a local family of the year.

Candidates build strong campaign teams to support and expand their reach, where each dollar raised is equal to one vote. The team who has the most votes, (money raised) is named the Champion of Champions at the finale event May 1st.

Take a look at our Holiday Appeal Letter below!
Volunteer Update
Alicia Young & Family Move into Eastpointe Home
Another partner family is completing their journey to homeownership (our 155th home since 1993). Alisha Young has been working hard on her sweat equity hours, accumulating a $1000 down payment, and other paperwork for her mortgage to purchase a rehab home in Eastpointe. The mortgage closing was Thursday, December 3rd. Her son and daughter are excited about having their own rooms, with their chosen colors, with the holidays around the corner to celebrate.
Volunteer Days Finishing Up on the Faith Build
Everything outside is completed, except the front steps, and inside all flooring, cabinets and trim are done at the Faith Build in Roseville. There just remains some punch list items and cleaning left to finish the home for Cieara Prazuch and her four children. The last expected volunteer days are Wednesday December 9th and Saturday December 12th. As DTE Energy and Consumers Energy install the utilities, and contractors do their final installation work, we are most hopeful the home will be completed in December. Stay tuned for a virtual dedication to celebrate with the Prazuch family. We are grateful for Thrivent Financial’s partnership with this home, and the scores of churches and individual volunteers who have stuck with the process.
ReStore Update
The ReStore is currently looking for the following items to be donated:
  • Christmas and holiday decorations in good condition
  • working snow blowers
  • upholstered furniture (in good condition)
  • children's desks/any desks
  • toilets
  • appliances (working, less than ten years old)
  • usable lumber
  • working power tools
  • jewelry, high end leather purses, perfumes

We DO NOT ACCEPT the following:
  • bedding and towels
  • clothing
  • mattresses and box springs
  • items in need of any repairs
  • light bulbs

Call ahead to reserve a pick up time.
(586) 263-1540 x100

ReStore Locations

Shelby ReStore
46660 Van Dyke, Shelby between Hall Rd. & 21 Mile
Mask required for entry.

Warren ReStore
23211 Van Dyke, Warren at 9 1/2 Mile
Mask required for entry.

Store Hours
Tues-Fri: 10 am - 6 pm
Sat: 10 am - 5 pm

Reduced Drop Off Hours
Fri: 10 am - 5:30 pm
Sat: 10 am - 4:30 pm
Regular Volunteers Needed at Shelby ReStore!

The Shelby ReStore is in need of regular volunteers. Choose a time to volunteer Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm or 2 pm to 6 pm.

Volunteer duties include the following:
  • managing displays
  • processing home goods
  • helping organize the store
  • some lifting
  • mask and work gloves required

Grab a friend or two and improve your health while helping others. Together we can reach more families with shelter solutions!
We are Hiring!
Warehouse Associate Position Open
Macomb County Habitat for Humanity seeks a hard-working person who has the ability to easily lift 40 lbs or more. This candidate must have a dazzling personality and be able to thank our many drive-in donors for their great contributions. If you are that person, send an email with your resume to Erica Mixion.
warehouse_assembly_workers.jpg
Check Out the New Sparkly Things Category at macombrestore.com!
In our continual quest to meet the demands of our savvy ReStore shoppers, our creative Chief Operating Officer, Ericia Bartels, has decided to create a special offer that involves the sale of jewelry.

The Sparkly Things section of the Online ReStore has costume baubles, vintage jewelry, fine gems, handbags, and perfumes available for purchase. We will also offer shipping or pickup on these items.
Have trinkets, jewelry, handbags, and perfume that you
may not wear frequently or at all? Donate them to us!
Call the main office at 586-263-1540 x100 to schedule a drop off or pick up. Walk-in drop offs are available Monday-Thursday 10 am-3 pm at our main office on the second floor of the CoLab, 25 N. Main St., Mt. Clemens.

With the holidays just around the corner, a beautiful necklace or fun ring could be the perfect surprise for a loved one. Whether it's a stocking stuffer or a forever ring, Macomb County ReStores has something for everyone!
Not Itemizing? No Problem
Giving More under the CARES Act through December 31st
To help alleviate the coronavirus’s economic devastation, Congress has enacted the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Included was a brand new universal deduction for charitable contributions. Taxpayers who do not itemize may now deduct up to $300 per year in charitable contributions. Such deductions must be: (1) in cash (no property like household goods), and (2) given to a 501(c)(3) public charity such as Macomb County Habitat.

Since this is a universal “above-the-line” deduction, taxpayers do not have to file Schedule A (itemize) to claim it. Instead, taxpayers list it as an adjustment to income on Schedule 1 of Form 1040 and then deduct it from their gross income (along with all other adjustments to income) on the first page of their Form 1040.

We can provide you a letter to document your donation to Macomb Habitat through the Donate Now button on our website or by mail to 25 N. Main St., Mount Clemens, MI 48043.
Cars for Homes
Donate a vehicle to Habitat for Humanity’s car donation program – Cars for Homes. Your generosity will support our work with local families.

  • All proceeds from your vehicle donation will support Habitat for Humanity and help local families here in Macomb County.

  • Your donation may qualify for a tax deduction.

It’s fast and easy. Learn more about how vehicle donations work here!
What are Community Rewards?
Kroger Community Rewards makes fund-raising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do everyday.
Once you link your card to an organization, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!
Have you Designated your Favorite Charities in your Will?
Macomb Habitat was blessed with an unexpected donation in support of our work from the estate of a friend of Habitat who recently passed away. Consider updating your will to have a portion of your estate go to help Macomb Habitat reach more families in the years ahead. 2020 is our 27th year of operating in Macomb County, and with your help, we can continue that good work for many more years.