Update from Our Director

Habitat for ALL the ages!


Our volunteers inspire us every day here at Habitat. We are grateful to have opportunities to share the Habitat mission with volunteers as young as 13 (in our ReStore or on landscaping days), to young adults like our regular crews from The Father Capodanno High School, The O’Neal School, Pinecrest High School, Sandhills Community College Student Government, and Circle K, as well as “seasoned” volunteers like our most recent social media sensation with a reach of over 65,000 viewers, volunteer Emily Ahrens.

When we shared a picture of Emily on our social media after our Volunteer Holiday Luncheon, our followers went wild, and new ones joined in to applaud her efforts. Emily is a longtime volunteer in our Restore, and her current passion is counting the puzzle pieces in each of our donated puzzles to ensure our shoppers take home a complete puzzle. At 101, Emily is just one example of how Habitat seems to be a fountain of youth. A drive past one of our build sites will likely showcase multiple volunteers in their 70s and 80s; and in our ReStore and office, you will find the same (plus an occasional 90+ volunteer)! We were excited to see the reaction. We loved the comments: “I didn’t know something like that was an option. Good for her – and you!” one fan wrote, and another added, “You are NEVER too old to do good.” We couldn’t agree more, and if you are interested in the fountain of youth we have at Habitat, feel free to learn more at our monthly orientation held on the third Saturday of each month at 10 am.


We believe volunteers of many ages have value, and we work hard to ensure we have opportunities to match various ages, abilities, and interests. Many of our volunteers say that spending time at Habitat helps them feel young, vibrant, and needed. Isn’t that a great way to feel?!!


Peace and Grace,

Amie Fraley

Executive Director

Thank you to the wonderful ladies at Linden Garden Club of Pinewild for welcoming us last week to share about the Habitat mission and upcoming opportunities in the Sandhills. We even recruited a new “Honey Doer” to help with important mailings from our affiliate. Thank you, Pinewild CC Linden Garden Club!

Happening in Richmond County!

We are excited to announce a fantastic opportunity for potential small business owners in our community! Thanks to the hard work of the Leak Street Community Center, a grant has been secured to provide financial assistance to those looking to start or grow their own business. This is a great chance to gain valuable knowledge and resources to help you succeed in your entrepreneurial endeavors. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity! Contact the Leak Street Community Center today to learn more and apply for the grant!

Builders First Source successfully launched a fundraising event for the 2024 Builders Blitz with a fun and exciting Chili Cook-Off. The event was a huge success, thanks to everyone who made chili and to those who came to judge. The competition was fierce, but in the end, Joe Whittmer emerged as the winner. We want to thank everyone who participated and helped make this event a success. We look forward to continuing our efforts to raise funds for the upcoming Builders Blitz. If you would like more information about home builders coming together for a great cause visit Home Builders Blitz.

Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and

Modification Program (VHRMP) 

Willie James Wall is a native of Richmond County, a proud family man, and a proud Veteran of the US Army. Willie was 18 when he started his military career with a letter from Uncle Sam requesting that he report to Charlotte Recruiting Center. He went through Boot Camp at Fort Dix, NJ, and attended Military Occupational Specialty School for MOS 88 M Transportation Specialist (Truck Driver).


After a 30-day leave back home, he landed in Hawaii and then caught a ship at Pearl Harbor going to Vietnam. Willie did not have much to say about his experience there other than it was the worst place he'd ever been. He was discharged honorably in 1973. He returned to his family home in Rockingham, the same house he lives in now, surrounded by siblings who have homes there.


Willie used what he had learned in the Army and got his first job with a Local Trucking company hauling asphalt for road repairs. He held that job for about five years until he got an urge to see the country becoming an Over the Road trucker. After several years of trucking all over the USA, Willie opted to come off the road and signed on with Perdue, the company, from which he would eventually retire. During the following years, Willie returned to the US military, enlisting for duty in the NC Army National Guard and meeting his bride. He continued to drive for Perdue and raised three sons and a daughter. Two of his sons and his daughter are truck drivers for Perdue. Willie was very grateful for the repairs completed on his house, saying it doesn't look like the same house. He was very complementary of the excellent and professional job from the crew of Ricky Bailey's Home Improvements of Rockingham who had installed the new windows and vinyl siding.

Learn More. Do More.

Our team is attending the 2024 Affiliate Conference in Atlanta from March 5th the March 7th. Our ReStore hours will remain the same but the office will be closed.

Hoke Happenings

We are excited to announce that our next build in Hoke County is approaching quickly! We want to express our gratitude to the organizations that are partnering with us to create affordable home ownership opportunities, including the Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce, Firsthealth Moore Regional Hospital - Hoke Campus, and Hoke County Schools. We are planning to build Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from Feb. 29 - Mar. 9, and we still have both Thursdays open for a team of up to 12 volunteers. No experience is necessary, and we guarantee a fun and fulfilling day. Join us in making a difference in the Hoke County community!

Apostles Build 2024  

Mission Boost from Pinehurst United Methodist Church

Our 2024 Apostles Build home recently received a significant funding boost when Pinehurst United Methodist Church donated 100% of the offerings (over $17,000) received at their community-wide Christmas Eve Service toward this build. Each year, we strive to have the faith community represented among our designated builds. The financial threshold for achieving this designation is $70,000. We invite all churches to participate towards this goal and the endeavor to keep people of faith engaged in bettering their community through affordable housing. Thank you, PUMC, for your generous support.


We will soon break ground for our 2024 Apostles Build home. In addition to providing direct financial support, churches also provide volunteers to help build. Recent “Point of Lights” data calculate that each volunteer hour offsets $31 in labor costs. We hope to have eight to twelve volunteer builders on site each day. They are supervised and instructed by our excellent professional staff.  


Our Apostles Build begins this year on Thursday, March 14. We have set the number of volunteers accommodated on-site at twenty-five. Why such a large number? On Pastors’ Day Build, we encourage any pastors whose churches are active with Habitat to come out on this Holy Spirit-filled day. The Friday and Saturday following this Pastors’ Thursday build will be a standard-size crew of 12 volunteers, as will each of the next eight weekends of Thursday through Saturday. We will not build during Holy Week.


Please consider joining us in this ministry as the Hands and Feet of Christ out in His world. A family will benefit by living in a home they own, not rent. You will benefit by knowing you responded to God’s call. Your church will help by showing the community that yours is a go-and-do congregation of faith.


Contact me using the information below to learn more about open dates to participate in this year’s Habitat Apostles Build.


Many thanks and all blessings, Dan


Dan Joslin

Habitat Faith Relations Coordinator   

danjoslin2@aol.com

910-690-0806           

Women Build Power

Hooray for Tracy at J. McLaughlin for hosting an amazing "Sip & Shop" event on Friday afternoon! It was an absolute blast shopping for the latest fashion trends while sipping on champagne. Not only did we have a great time, but we supported a great cause as a portion of the proceeds went towards Habitat. What a fantastic way to give back to the community and look fabulous while doing it! Thank you, J. McLaughlin, for the unforgettable experience. We can't wait for the next one!


If you are interested in teaming up with Habitat to host an event, send us a message at slebak@sandhillshabitat.org!

~Sally Brown, Kathy Beddow, and Tracy Rankin


Do you have your tickets?

Empowerment Brunch

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Forest Creek Country Club

Buy Tickets Here

Wall a WHAT?

Frank Pacifico

John Webster

Walabot - The world's most advanced stud finder!

At Habitat, we are dedicated to providing our volunteers with the latest tools and technology to help them build top-quality, affordable homes. That's why we're excited to announce that our volunteer Hardcore Trim team is now using the Walabot to make it easier to ensure that trim is securely connected to studs instead of just drywall. This cutting-edge technology takes our home-building efforts to the next level, and we're proud to be at the forefront of innovation in the industry. Thank you to our volunteers for their hard work and dedication to building safe, comfortable homes for those in need.

ReStore Needs Volunteers

It's a fun opportunity where you will meet like-minded friends who support

affordable housing. Great staff, flexible hours!


Join us for our monthly Volunteer Session on Saturday, February 17th to learn about the different volunteer opportunities that Habitat has to offer. Whether you enjoy the outdoors and hands-on construction or working in the ReStore, we can custom fit an experience that you will find rewarding and fun! We know there is an abundance of volunteer opportunities in Moore County. We strive to make your time a rewarding and beneficial experience at Sandhills Habitat. We value, respect, support, encourage and enjoy exemplary relationships with volunteers. You can register through volunteer hub portal at https://sandhillshabitat.volunteerhub.com/

Habitat Board Members

OFFICERS 

Dr. Fallon Brewington, Chair

Tim Dwyer, Vice Chair

Lisa Fagan, Secretary

Dr. Kirk Lynch, Treasurer

Amie Fraley, Executive Director

DIRECTORS

Tavares Bostic 

Daphne Dudley

Karen Dulmage

Bob Friesen

Robin Porter Graham

Fran Grandinetti

Jana Green

Jim Hart



Robert Jackson

Karen Reese May

Helen Probst Mills

Kayla Prestwood

Sue Ralston 

Mary Rocca

Jill Saunders

Tracy Thomas

Be sure to follow the new ReStore Facebook page

to learn about the latest inventory and sales

@sandhillsrestore

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