Habitat Headlines | June 2021 | |
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It is truly an honor to be serving this nonprofit as its staff leader and liaison to the board of directors. During my career, I have been in similar situations, some almost as good and some, not so great. As I reflect upon what makes this place so special, I think it comes down to three things:
- A diverse mission
- Diversity of staff
- Diversity of board
A diverse mission – Macomb County Habitat for Humanity provides community, homes, and hope. That means so many things. Sometimes community means working alongside another nonprofit to change a neighborhood. It also means helping our friends in Eastpointe, Clinton Township, and other Macomb communities. It means building and rehabbing homes so low-income families can purchase them, and kids have hope for a brighter future.
Diversity of staff – It is important to me that my staff is diverse. This means I want people who look differently and think differently. Things like religion, skin color, sexual orientation, gender, and age are NOT important to me. Values like integrity and honesty are very important to me. When I am standing in the middle of my staff, I feel like I am standing at the crossroads of America – a place where everyone is welcome and invited to share their talents and treasures.
Diversity of board – A board reflects the entire community, not just one sector or another. As such, we try very hard to make sure that we have representation from a variety of ethnic groups, age groups, businesses (both for-profit and nonprofit). By doing this, we know that all who enter our doors or purchase our houses will know they are welcomed and appreciated.
Working at Macomb Habitat is the highlight of my career and will hopefully be a retirement springboard in the next decade. I have no need or desire to work anywhere where all the people believe in X or look like Y. I want to embrace the staff with tight wiry hair and the ones with no hair. I want to sit next to a low-income board member on one side and a prominent business owner on the other. I want staff with tattoos, perfectly manicured nails, and handicapped conditions. I want people who are whispering types and people who could stand on top of a building and sing.
I want it all. And that, my friends, is what I have and why I stay.
With every best wish,
Helen Hicks
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Thank you to our sponsors for the 2021 Home-in-One Golf Outing: | Platinum Sponsor - Complete Interactive Technologies, Inc. | Gold Sponsor - GRIT Technologies | | |
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JMC Electrical Contractors, LLC | |
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$5,000 Golf Elimination Raffle | |
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Only 29 Tickets Left for the $5,000 Elimination Raffle!
Join us Monday, June 28th, in Washington Township at the 4th Annual Golf Classic to find out who the lucky winner is. Drawing begins at 5 pm, but you do not need to be present to win.
$100 per Ticket
Purchase tickets at our office located at 25 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043, or contact Helen Hicks using the button below.
2 Golf Foursomes Left!!
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President Biden Proclaims June as National Homeownership Month
On June 1st, President Biden made a speech proclaiming June 2021 as National Homeownership Month.
"[...] homeownership is the cornerstone of a life with security, dignity, and hope. [...] as President, I have made it a central priority to expand stability and opportunity within our housing market. [...] To create greater opportunities for homeownership moving forward, we have proposed the American Jobs Plan — which can spur the construction and rehabilitation of more than 500,000 homes for buyers of more modest means. [...] we [will] help more hardworking Americans purchase their first homes..."
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0.5k Race Returns Virtually in August
A challenging race to get back outside, this 546-yard virtual adventure gives you the option to chart your course wherever you want to walk, on any day in five days to fit your schedule, from Aug. 14-18.
Note that there is a multi-person or Family option on the screen after the $30.00 individual fee for larger groups to save money.
Participants will receive the following to show friends that they're a winner:
- a race t-shirt
- winner's medal
- oval sticker for your vehicle
Proceeds support the construction of a three-bedroom forever home in Eastpointe for a family. If you are joining friends, register everyone at the same time to reduce the processing fees.
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Save the Date
Friday, November 5th
2021 Gala
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Thrivent Venture Adventures
- Put the love of Christ into action by volunteering to renovate a home on Redmond Street in Eastpointe.
- We partner with working families who purchase the home affordably when it is finished.
- Various days - midweek and Saturdays - July 13 to August 21, 9 am - 4 pm.
- No experience necessary, 17 years on up - a great way to learn new skills!
- Serve lunches, purchase Lowes and Home Depot gift cards, pray for the homeowner, and more!
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Stay Tuned for More Volunteer Opportunities | |
Tithing to India
With the Coronavirus outbreak crisis in India, Habitat India has responded with a program to help. Macomb Habitat sent a tithe gift of $5,000 to support that effort in May, to be available for use in June through Habitat for Humanity International.
"With dedicated hospitals and COVID-19 beds in the country at full capacity, it is devastating that people are dying on the streets outside hospitals as the country struggles to cope. In partnership with local government providers, Habitat for Humanity India is working to deliver 'COVID-19 Care Centers' to equip underused healthcare and government buildings to increase the capacity of: oxygen systems, drinking water, hygiene facilities, beds and mattresses, hygiene products, and sufficient PPE for healthcare workers."
Habitat COVID-19 Care Centers will boost existing medical infrastructure, support vulnerable people with safe spaces to isolate or quarantine, keeping families safe, and prevent transmission.
Thanks to Habitat supporters worldwide, sixteen COVID-19 Care Centers in eight cities have been developed, with the capacity to serve approximately 1,975 people at a time. More than 5,000 people have already been assisted.
If you would like to donate to the COVID-19 Relief Efforts in India, please go through our Donate Now page, and designate that your funds are for the India Tithing.
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Girl Scout Troup 77101 Mount Clemens
Girl Scout Troop 77107, Mt. Clemens, (ages 6-10) started the year with three goals in mind:
- Pick up some trash they saw along streets and highways
- Help animals in some way
- Help families without a home.
Despite the coronavirus restrictions, they did very well with Girl Scout Cookie Sales and sat down recently to disperse those profits to others instead of themselves.
Too young to volunteer in construction, they contacted Macomb Habitat and decided they could stock the pantries with nonperishable foods at the two homes ready for families in Clinton Township. The girls tried to pick foods that they enjoyed, hoping the families would like them as well. Each home has been blessed with nearly $350 of food, paper goods, and more, plus two $100 gift cards from Target and Meijer so the families can shop. A great way to reduce expenses as the families move in!
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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 the ReStore Manager.
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The ReStores are currently looking for the following seasonal items to be donated:
- gardening tools
- patio furniture in good condition
- working lawn mowers
Call 586-263-1540 x100 to set up a pickup of your large household items.
Or send an email with your name, city, phone number, and photos of your furniture to [email protected]
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New ReStore
Drop Off Hours:
Thursday - Saturday
10 am - 3 pm
Donate small items you can fit in your vehicle during the restricted drop off hours to either of our ReStore locations. No appointment necessary!
Call 586-263-1540 x100 with Questions.
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The Macomb ReStore Facebook Page is moving!
If you haven't already, please like our Main Facebook Page now.
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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 help Macomb Habitat reach more families in the years ahead. 2021 is our 28th year of operating in Macomb County, and with your help, we can continue that good work for many more years.
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