Sandhills Habitat November E-newsletter

Each year, one of our favorite movies to watch during the Christmas season is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Perhaps no other film conveys the impact of our mission at Habitat for Humanity as much as this film. As the protagonist, George Bailey, dismisses his father’s work of helping families secure mortgages through Savings and Loan, he focuses on how he’d rather do something big, something important with his life. Pa Bailey’s response is the heart of our work at Habitat when he says, “You know, George, I feel that in a small way, we are doing something important. Satisfying a fundamental urge. It’s deep in the race for people to want their own roof and walls and fireplace, and we’re helping them get those things…”

As we took in the sea of faces at our annual holiday lunch, we were reminded of the many contributions of our volunteers, staff, supporters, and homeowners that make the Habitat vision possible. I think most of us would be inclined to dismiss our particular role, noting that it's just a small part of the magic – but when we join forces, as we do each day on our construction site, in our ReStore or in our offices and events, we are doing something important. Thank you for believing in this mission with us. We are grateful and proud to carry out the work of Habitat for Humanity with you.

Amie N. Fraley

Executive Director

Push Play Button on Image for Holiday Video

It takes a Village!

What do all these volunteers do at Habitat? To keep our costs down, we operate with a small staff compared to other affiliates. To do that, we have an army of dedicated volunteers who have found their niche at Habitat and have been with us for years. We have over a hundred volunteers who have dedicated over 1,000 hours. That is something to celebrate! According to Points of Light, the estimated national value of each volunteer hour is $31.80.

At this point, you might be thinking, "How do I fit in?" Well, at Habitat, we specialize in custom-fitting volunteer experiences. To do that, we have skillfully identified different roles to accommodate the skills and requests of our volunteers.

In the ReStore, we have positions available for the tinkerer, the seamstress, the bookworm, the art enthusiast, the techno-geek, and just about anything else that might pique your interest. You never know what you might find. Part of the fun is researching it to see what kind of treasure you may have stumbled upon. We have volunteers who enjoy working the registers and some who arrange the beautiful displays and seasonal décor.

Our Hardcore ReStore Volunteers

Habitat has an elite group called "hardcore construction". These volunteers have more than 50 hours and show up week in in and week out to keep us on schedule and 0ften assist newcomers to build site. The "trim crew" is part of this group and they are responsible for the beautiful finishes and cabinetry in the homes.

We have a small but mighty construction staff that supervises volunteers that come out to the build sites on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We are grateful to have a diverse community of volunteers from different backgrounds, professions, and beliefs. The diversity makes our volunteer program successful and impactful in the community. Whether you are a doctor, a student, a retiree, or someone in between, we welcome you to join our mission. Volunteers who participate in the actual building of Habitat houses, while working with skilled workers, perform an invaluable function in the building of a Habitat home.

Skilled or unskilled, from trained contractors to those who have never used a hammer, Habitat welcomes you.

Our Hardcore Construction Volunteers

There are many other opportunities to get involved and make a difference. The committees for our sponsored builds play a crucial role in creating a memorable experience for the community—our Gala Committee orchestrates our signature fundraising in the spring. If you are a party starter, this one is for you. The Faith Relations Committee bands together the churches to raise funds for materials and volunteers to build the Apostles home. Our Women Build Committee encourages women to be active on the build site and sponsors two major fundraising events.

By joining a committee, you can use your skills and talents to help plan and execute a successful build. Whether you're a master organizer, a creative problem-solver, or a natural leader, we have a place for you on one of our committees. So why not step up and help make a difference in your community?

Volunteers of Sponsored Builds

Our Homebuyer Selection Committee has the huge responsibility of reviewing the hundreds of applications that come in yearly for homeownership. Each application is reviewed and scored on predetermined qualifications, financial responsibility and need for housing. A home visit is required to assess need. If you have a head for numbers and forms this might be your opportunity.

Selection Committee

You might notice some duplication? True, many volunteers wear more than one hat, and we are thankful for that. Volunteers who have been part of other committees are often asked to serve on the board. Visit our website for more information and current board members.

Our Board

Home for the Holidays!

Mitchell Family

McNeill Family

Page Cunningham Road will be home to two more Habitat family partners this holiday season. We welcomed the Mitchell and McNeill families to Bluebird Hill (Phase II), a cul-de-sac in the Habitat community in Aberdeen. A celebration with friends, family, and volunteers during Thanksgiving week was well attended with guests from as far away as Ohio for the Mitchells. The following week was the dedication for the McNeill family. Though it was a bit colder outside, we kept the fires burning in our hearts as we listened to Shaunda speak about her faith family and work family that encouraged her through the process.

We are putting the final touches on the fifth and final home, which will be dedicated to Cedrick Threadgill on January 18th. Save the Date!

New Homeowner in Richmond County

The McDonald family is joyful as they embark on an exciting new chapter of their lives—homeownership! With the holiday season, this remarkable family is not only celebrating togetherness but also the achievement of securing an affordable mortgage that will ensure a stable and loving environment for years to come. They were surrounded by their loved ones, including mom and niece; the smiles on their faces radiated warmth and hope. Our gratitude is extended to board member Mr. Bob Friesen, who has orchestrated hundreds of mortgages on behalf of Habitat in the last thirty years.