P.O. Box 13204 • Pensacola, FL 32591-3204 Main Office 850-434-5456 Pensacola ReStore 850-476-0001
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #554 Pensacola, FL
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HabiChat
facebook.com/pensacolarestore @pcolahabitat
Volume 40, Issue 4, Winter 2020
Building Hope for the Holidays
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We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or sources of income.
pensacolahabitat.org rethinkhabitat.org
HabiChat Winter 2020: Building Hope for the Holidays
Board of Directors
Time, Treasure, or Talent
Mei Davis Chairwomen
by Sam Young
Gene Franklin Vice Chairman
Nearly 40 years ago, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity was established by a group of dedicated volunteers out of a commitment to their community. That commitment was to create lives enriched with opportunity through the promise of affordable homeownership. Since that day, numerous hands have helped us build 1,400 homes and counting in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. 1400 families are now experiencing the pride, security, and stability of homeownership.
Mike Adkins Treasurer Skip Vogelsang Secretary Al Coby Dawn Brazwell Michele Dumond Rabbi Joel Fleekop Siobhan Gallagher Julie Griffin Sandra Hodges Pat Hubbard Mike Lanwehr Matt Newcomer Dr. Charles Reese Betty Salter Josh Womack Karen Wright Sam Young Cheif Executive Officer
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION # CH37256
The 2020 Pensacola Habitat for Humanity ornaments are now available and they are beautiful! Created locally by our friends at First City Art Center, each ornament is hand-blown and one-of-a-kind. They cost $25 and all proceeds go to support our mission of building homes, communities, and hope.
When people and families are secure in their housing, not burdened by inflated rental costs, or confined to substandard living conditions, they begin to thrive. A safe and affordable place to live can lead to better health, which results in less time spent out of the classroom or workplace, creating increased opportunities in both education and career. Safe, affordable housing also allows families to accrue wealth and equity, help pay bills and utilities on time, putting nutritious food on the table, and investing in futures. Because of these outcomes, our community’s commitment to affordable homeownership is equally critical. We know that the health of our neighbors impacts not only the health of our neighborhood but also the economy, increasing local spending and creating more job opportunities. Vibrant neighborhoods with sufficient affordable housing also generate increased tax revenue and lead to improved infrastructure that enhances both quality of life and the entire community’s health and safety. That is what it means to build not only homes but communities and hope, but we cannot do it alone. It is your time,
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treasure, and talent – at the very heart of our affiliate – that make everything we do possible.
You can purchase your ornament at pensacolahabitat.org/ornaments!
At this time, when the need for affordable housing has never been more apparent, we need your hands helping us build and your voice in the community. As more families than ever before apply to become Home Buyers in our program, we need your support to increase our capacity and meet this growing demand. While we understand that the issue is complex and the task is tall, there are countless ways for you to get involved and make a difference. You can join our Square Foot Club and commit to a recurring gift or make your first charitable donation - no matter the size. You can donate your previously loved furniture, decor, or construction materials to our ReStore or volunteer to help them get it on the shelves. Or you can pick up a hammer and help us build a home. I promise that however you decide to support the cause, you will find the rewards far outweigh the cost. Contributing to something greater than yourself provides a sense of fulfillment and a sense of well-being that is truly priceless. However you choose to lend a hand, know that you are helping us work towards a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Make a donation today! Please consider a contribution to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. Your donation will assist families in our community!
Name Address
City, State
Look for my pledge online at pensacolahabitat.org/donate Enclosed is my donation of $
Zip
Please mail this slip Pensacola Habitat for Humanity 300 W Leonard St along with your Pensacola, FL 32501 donation to:
A Community of Good by Shannon Lewis The Pensacola Habitat for Humanity ReStore serves many purposes and plays a vital role in our organization and mission. It’s more than a fantastically branded brick and mortar created for the sole purpose of making money, more than a wide array of awe-inspiring items like building materials, appliances, and awesomely priced furniture, and it’s more than just a place that provides stellar customer service and free pickups. The ReStore is a conduit for change in our community. How you ask? Well, the ReStore keeps its doors open based solely on the generous donations of people in our community. And every single dime spent within its walls is turned around and used towards our mission of providing affordable
homeownership options right here at home. The more families and individuals given those options, the more money is spent on our local economy, inevitably positively impacting our community.
items you can part with (or that you SHOULD part with) taking up space in your garage or guest bedroom. And remember, pick up is free! To schedule a pick-up give us a call at 850-476-0001.
The ReStore also provides an opportunity for people in our area to make a difference in several ways:
VOLUNTEERING: So many people are looking for ways in which they can help their community-especially this time of year. Volunteering at the ReStore is a great way to connect with others and learn something new while serving and making a difference. Special bonus: if you volunteer at the ReStore, you get first dibs on some of the incredible donations that come in before someone else can snag them up!
DONATING: We cannot stress the importance of donations enough. They are what keeps the ReStore running! Things like appliances, furniture, excess building materials, and home décor are invaluable to us and our mission. The end of the year is a perfect time to do a walk-through of your home to see if there are perfect time to do a walk-through of your home to see if there are
SHOPPING: When you shop at the ReStore, you aren’t just getting a quality item at a fantastic price. You are also contributing to providing affordable homeownership for families in our community! Every dime that the ReStore receives goes right back into the community in which we live and supports our mission of building homes, communities, and hope. So next time you’re in the market for some new furniture, being begged by your spouse to get rid of some extra stuff or having an itch to go out and make a difference, consider the Pensacola Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Your impact will reach further than you could ever know. For more information about the ReStore visit pensacolarestore.com
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Crystal Scott, Terry McClain, Mei Ling Davis, and Sam Young smile for the camera after a fun day playing golf and raising funds for Pensacola Habitat for Humanity.
4th Annual Habitat FORE! Humanity Golf Tournament by Quinn Luehring EXIT Realty and Pensacola Habitat for Humanity held their 4th Annual Habitat FORE! Humanity Golf Tournament on Friday, December 11th at Scenic Hills Country Club. The tournament consisted of lunch, competitions, prizes, raffles and a silent auction. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who supported the tournament by playing on a team, purchasing tee signs, volunteering or sponsoring the tournament. The event was a success with 77 golfers across 19 teams who came out to show support for the Pensacola Habitat for Humanity mission of building homes, communities, and hope. The
event’s hospitality sponsors included Bamboo Willies, Coffee Guy, Goldring Gulf Distributing, Seville Quarter and The Ticket Sports Bar. Several local businesses also supported the tournament by donating ditty bag items or raffle and silent auction prizes. Overall, Pensacola Habitat raised nearly $35,000, exceeding the initial goal of $30,000. EXIT Realty Corportation International will match an additional $30,000 to make twice the impact in our community. For more information about our annual golf tournament visit golfforhomes.org
Volunteer with Us!
Women Coming Together to Build Hope by Yolanda Petty At Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, Women Build Home Buyer, Katja we rely on our community’s Perry’s, home. support to achieve our mission 73 Women Build volunteers put in of building homes, communities, nearly 500 construction hours over and hope. two weeks to Despite the build Perry’s challenges future home 2020 located near brought the Catholic us, 142 High School. superstar We are so women proud of the came dedication for together our cause, this committed determined to help us and committed Women Builders join Katja on the build site work towards group of during Women Build Week. our mission women brought for Women Build this year. These to Women Build this year. We invite determined women successfully you and your friends or coworkers raised $67,054, taking us over our to join us next year for Women Build initial goal of $60,000 for this year. October 5-12, 2021. These amazing women not only committed to fundraising from March to October but also committed to building this year’s
To find out more about Pensacola Habitat Women Build and how to get involved, visit womenbuild.pensacolahabitat.org
Pensacola Habitat for Humanity would not be able to fulfill its mission of building homes, communities, and hope without our volunteers. We appreciate each of you and the dedication and support you give to our
Women Builder Casey Kuktelionis builds on Katja’s future home.
community and our mission. We hope that you continue to serve with us in 2021. If you are interested in volunteering, you can learn more about available opportunities at https://pensacolahabitat.org/ volunteers, or you can contact us at volunteer@pensacolahabitat.org.
Mark your calendars for the original and voted as the best 5th annual Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Food Truck Festival. Not only will you get to feast on the best food around, but you will also help make affordable homeownership a reality for so many in our community. Interested in being a sponsor? Give Crystal Scott a call at 850-434-5456 ext 109 or email us at info@pensacolahabitat.org
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HabiChat Winter 2020: Building Hope for the Holidays
Building Hope for the Holidays by Jon Potrzeba Like most organizations and businesses in 2020, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity has been the comfort of that very home, she forced to be creative and adaptable continued by expressing how much to continue efficient, effective it means to her to know that her Executive Director, Sam Young, also operations in the face of an children and family have a secure discussed the affiliate’s plans for unprecedented global pandemic. home where they can build and carry- 2021, “We have a commitment to Among myriad changes, of particular on traditions. further the mission and expand our note is fundraising, which has taken Also remarking on their support for reach,” he began. “I’m excited that a distinctly new shape over the past Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s we’re going to build so many more calendar year. With adaptability top work in the community were WEAR homes, we’re going to serve so of mind, on December 8th, Pensacola TV-3 Senior News Anchor, many more families, and continue Habitat hosted Hope for the the phenomenal mission that Holidays, a virtual holiday Pensacola Habitat has been fundraising event held in place accomplishing since the early of the traditional in-person ’80s.” Annual Dinner. Concluding the program, Co-hosted before a festive Pensacola Habitat announced backdrop by Director of a slate of awards to honor Resource Development, their most ardent supporters. Crystal Scott, and Senior Longtime donors, advocates, Communications Associate, and volunteers, Gary and Danise Kristin O’Bryan, the program Beadle were recognized as the consisted of a series of Donors of the Year. special segments featuring Crystal and Kristin also Pensacola Habitat volunteers, announced that Betty Salter homeowners, and advocates, was being honored with the as well as local leaders Lifetime Achievement Award in Pensacola Habitat’s Community Engagement team take a recognition of her unparalleled and representatives from quick snapshot on the set of Hope for the Holidays other area nonprofits and impact on the organization – organizations. including 30 years of volunteer In a video shot on-site at the First Sue Straughn; Madrina Ciano of service, 21 of which as volunteer City Arts Center, the artists of FCAC Blab TV and the Krewe of SWAT; Executive Director. It was also shared the process behind their dedicated Pensacola Habitat announced that the Volunteer of the intricate glassblowing technique. volunteer, Edie Thornton; Incoming Year award would be renamed after For the past few years, Joe Hobbs, Board Chair, Gene Franklin; and her. Glass Studio Manager at First City, homeowner, Karim Muniz. In turn, the inaugural Betty Salter has helped design holiday ornaments Virtual attendees were also treated to Award was presented to Mr. Francis for Pensacola Habitat. Hobbs told two beautiful musical interludes from “Frank” Beeby for his long history of viewers that they are grateful to be renowned pianist and musician, John dedicated volunteerism on the job able to collaborate with Pensacola Ripley. In the spirit of the season, site. Habitat because both organizations he shared beautiful renditions of Through Hope for the Holidays, do so much to strengthen the ‘Carol of the Bells’ and ‘A Christmas Pensacola Habitat for Humanity community. Waltz.’ Ripley received a B.A. in Music was able to raise nearly $3,000, Sharing the story of her journey to from the University of West Florida, including a generous contribution homeownership through the Home has performed with the Pensacola from Navy Federal Credit Union. If Buyer Program at Pensacola Habitat, Symphony, and has an extensive you were unable to join in for the live Shalon confided, “I can’t tell you how list of professional accolades in the festivities, follow Pensacola Habitat awesome it is to own your own home music industry. for Humanity on Facebook where the and invest in your own home.” From Pensacola Habitat’s newly introduced entire presentation will be shared.
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