Thanks to John Lowell and his staff at Bear Peak Lodge, dozens of volunteers and all those who donated furniture, appliances and a multitude of home furnishing items, we enjoyed a highly successful Home Furnishing Sales season. The three sales saw over 660 pieces of furniture and appliances and an untold number of decorative and knick-knack items that were sold, grossing over $30,000. This represents roughly the construction cost for one-quarter of a MWV Habitat house. Board member, Sam Johnson has been organizing and managing these sales for over four years; doing pick-ups for seven. When asked how he accounts for their success, he points out that MWV Habitat takes only quality furniture; the sales occur at an excellent location and the sale prices are attractive.  With a twinkle in his eye, Sam added, “no piece of furniture goes out the door without being tested first.”

Do you have quality furniture or items you'd like to donate? Check out the Donation Procedure

Interested in shopping? Check our our online home furnishing sale page for new items!

Late summer, Marianne Jackson , Homeowner Support Chairperson met with the four Habitat home owners and their children at their North Road condo unit. In Marianne’s words, “I had the chance to talk with the women and their children about their unique micro-community as Habitat Homeowners living within the shared walls and grounds of MWV Habitat’s only condo. I wanted to hear their stories and learn whether the model was working and if so, how? I was deeply rewarded by their candor.”

 

Melanie, Susan, Kate and Jenn welcomed me with snacks and lots of kids sharing pizza and games in Sue’s living room. It was impossible to tell whose children were whose. They huddled and giggled together all evening.

On Applying for a Habitat Home:

 

I wanted to know first how each of them had come to learn about Habitat and what prompted them to apply.

Melanie started. I was working at Conway Elementary when Erin Finney told me about new applications for a Habitat house. The only thing I knew about Habitat was from my neighborhood growing up. We lived in the triple-deckers surrounded by the high rises and there on the block was a single home – it was a Habitat home. We couldn’t imagine such a thing.  The teachers at Conway El pushed me to go to the Information meeting and wouldn’t let go until I filled out the application. I was living in a very cold, horrible apartment after my husband left me with our kids. I wasn’t chosen. I was devastated. The next year I was volunteering at Angels and Elves when Marie Lee and Bob Magoun pushed me to reapply. It was so intimidating, but how could I say no to them?  Weeks later I got a much anticipated call from Bob Magoun - he kept apologizing for taking so long in getting back to me. I was sure I’d been turned down again and then he told me I was selected! I couldn’t believe it!

Kate was next.  In college at UNE I was part of the Orientation for students.   We helped on a Habitat project.  Years later I was living with my husband and kids in Bartlett in a very cramped rental condo. We were miserable. I heard from Birdy – Sam’s wife – when I was working at the Bartlett Community Preschool. She PUSHED me to apply. It was really stressful with so much unknowing as we waited to hear.

 

It was Sue’s turn. Well I heard from Mel. We had known each other years before but reconnected through our kids at their dance class. When she heard of my situation and divorce she pushed me to apply.   But being a single Mom trying to get safe affordable housing was horrible. There was blatant discrimination; I was taken advantage of by landlords, and there was nothing good out there. It was scary. But the process was scary too – the home visit really worried me. What if the kids misbehaved? Mel made sure I got through it.

Jenn – Well, it was Barb. (They all chuckled and nodded – yup, it’s Barb!) I thought I would be living in the basement of my family’s house forever. I didn’t know what I was going to do. 

In the winter edition of the newsletter, the families will discuss their interaction with the Habitat volunteers and how they handled the sweat equity requirement.