Dear Carolyn,

To quote Anne of Green Gables, I'm so glad that I live in a world where there are Octobers. The foliage was fabulous this past month and was a beautiful backdrop for our events and work.

The most exciting event of the month was the dedication of Jessie's home on Granite Street. It was wonderful to have the superintendent, students and instructors from Monty Tech, as well as the Fitchburg Mayor and Community Development and Planning group, MassHousing, Representative Kushmerek, Beth from Senator Cronin's office and so many other key contributors for this build celebrating with Jessie and her children. Thank you all for your part in bringing Jessie home!

The project in Ayer is going very well with the first floor enclosed and the second floor framing started as well. We are very grateful for our partnership with Nashoba Valley Technical High School for the high-quality work they are doing. The family selection process has begun for these two homes and applications are available at our office at 3 Park Street, Leominster and at the ReStore at 637 Lancaster Road, Leominster. Information meetings will be held on November 12th at 7 p.m. in Ayer Town Hall and November 16th at 10:30 a.m. at the Ayer Public Library.

I mentioned last month that we have a Local Project Committee (LPC) for this build in Ayer and all are welcome to join. The LPC helps to drive our builds and members of the committee will assist with family selection, family advocacy, events and ceremonies, volunteer recruitment and development. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at St. Andrews Church in Ayer. Please join us!

We continue to receive many requests for our Critical Home Repair program, and we finished four jobs in October, a roof in Maynard, floor repair in Hudson, a porch in Ayer and replaced a boiler in Leominster. We are currently working on windows and doors replacement in Fitchburg, doors and window replacement in Littleton, a roof in Fitchburg and new entryway stairs in Fitchburg.

Thank you all for all the good that you do and for helping to bring and keep local families home.

Carolyn

Santa at the ReStore -- A FREE event!



Join us Saturday, December 14th, from 10 a.m. to noon at 637 Lancaster Street (Route 117)

Take photos with Santa, we'll have coloring pages for the kids while you shop around the store and enjoy some yummy treats.

Sponsorships opportunities available. Contact Diana for more information.

Thank you to Plug Power, Fidelity, Wells Fargo, Bentley, Bristol Myers Squibb, Groton School, AMD, PJ Keating, National Grid, Energy Systems and our great individual volunteers Matt, Sharon, Mark, Barbara, Gerald, Emery, Don, Richard, John, Eve, Melissa, Andy, Carson, Catherine, Rebecca (Dylan) who helped us to build and repair homes, stock the ReStore shelves, and run the office this month. Thank you all so much!

To help us on any of the sites or at the ReStore, register online or send an email to tara@ncmhabitat.org with any questions.

It's time to visit the ReStore! Store hours are every Tuesday through Saturday, 10-5. Also, keep us in mind for your donations! We have free pickup, can help with estate cleanouts and cabinet removal, and you can schedule through our website.

You will also find the Wall of Honor at the ReStore where you can post a brick in honor of service members and local first responders. Stop by and post a brick!