A Publication of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity | Issue 6.6
April 2013
Shantytown 2013 educational segments and being advocates for those who need affordable housing. They took that challenge and exceeded my expectations,” stated Steve Solis, Youth Programs Coordinator.
“I really liked that we had a bigger part in the decisions this year for Shantytown. I felt like we had more of a role in organizing and leading the event.” —Lindsay, Youth United Leadershi p Committee member
It was a cold Saturday night in March. Most teenagers in the City of Pasadena were probably in the comfort of their own homes watching TV or socializing online. But not all of them. An estimated 125 teens took part in the Third Annual “Shantytown” overnight fundraiser at La Salle High School in Pasadena. Shantytown is a movement to build awareness of housing needs around the world and local solutions. Six high schools throughout the San Gabriel Valley area participated in the experience by building a cardboard city and staying overnight to advocate for affordable housing. Participants helped raise money for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity with all proceeds going towards the future Desiderio Build. For weeks preceding the event, the Youth United Leadership Committee (YULC) devoted time and effort to plan the event. They raised funds, secured approvals, made arrangements
for chaperones, obtained local food trucks and organized games and educational presentations. They also promoted the event through texts, facebook and other social media channels. Traditional promotional methods such as handing out flyers and pinning up posters about the event at their schools were also used. “YULC did a magnificent job with this year’s Shantytown. Their passion for raising awareness was evident in their commitment of time and energy. I had complete confidence in them taking on a bigger role not only with the details of organizing and promoting the event, but with presenting
The night was filled with plenty of activities, games and educational presentations. Students had food choices from participating food truck vendors (Fresh Fries, The Lobos Truck, Surf Taco and Mustache Mike’s Italian Ice. There was also a bake sale provided by participants to help raise funds for SGV Habitat builds. “You feel good when you help people. You don’t need to get high to feel happy. You just need to help people. And I’m so thankful to The LORD and to Habitat for Humanity.” Sandra Naccarati, SGV Habitat Homeowner. A highlight of the event was a family presentation by the Naccaratis who purchased a Habitat home in Monrovia. “We need people willing to help. Helping people is good. It’s beautiful how people can do this”, Sandra Naccarati told the students. “We’re really grateful. I thank God every day for people who helped us build our home. Thank you,” said son, Marco Naccarati (17 years old). Special thanks go to all the chaperones, volunteers, parents, La Salle High School Staff, SGV Habitat staff, and supporters of our affiliate. We couldn’t have done it without you. God bless you all!
Legacy Society News Board of Directors Nicolas Alparaz, Gregory Barsamian, Thomas S. Bunn III, Ann Dougherty, Donald W. Goodman, George Hernandez, John Mac Lean, Paul McAnnally-Linz, Andrew Pittroff, David Reaume, Herb Rim, Elaine Wilkerson Staff Sonja L. Yates, Executive Director Damien Allen, Director of Construction Sayaka Ota, Accountant Catalina Velez, Office Manager Elizabeth Ramirez, Coordinator of Fund Development Support Marty McBride, Volunteer & Family Services Coordinator Steve Solis, Marketing and Youth Programs Coordinator ReStores Bill Anderson, Director of ReStores Eric Bridges, Azusa ReStore Manager Micah Hillis, Pasadena ReStore Manager Matt Vincent, Azusa Restore Assistant Manager Brittné Anderson, Azusa Restore Admin Assistant Walter Rea Jr., Driver Craig Chew, Sales Associate Manny Flores, Sales Associate Erik Kristiansen, Sales Associate Don Meeker, Sales Associate Phillip Pasos, Sales Associate Josh Rosa, Sales Associate Michael Springs, Sales Associate
In Memoriam
Honoring the Legacy Gift of Charles James Rouchka — San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is proud to announce the posthumous induction of Charles James Rouchka into its Legacy Society. Charlie grew up in Sedalia, Missouri, a town that had only had only two major employers, the railroad and a garment factory. Joining the Navy was his ticket to see the world! He spent most of his Navy career on sea duty as a steam engineer. After retiring from the Navy as a Chief Petty officer, he utilized the skills he learned in the Navy to initiate a second career in California. He worked as the Steam Engineer for Pasadena City College (PCC) for another twenty years. Upon retiring from the Navy, Charlie married and bought a home in Arcadia.
There he remained until at 88 years of age he suffered a stroke and its complications. He had lost his wife to a devastating neurological illness almost 20 years earlier. Charlie had no direct descendants. As a self-made and frugal man, he greatly admired people who left known comforts to forge their way in the world, especially those who had sacrificed for their country. He wanted to donate his property for the benefit of a veteran. San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity was a particularly attractive option to satisfy his wishes because the proceeds from his house make it possible to help three lowincome veterans, not just one, as the Desiderio Homes are built at the former Desiderio Army Reserve Center. The Trustees of Charlie’s estate are excited about participating in the Desiderio build and shared their joy in fulfilling his directives, “Not only do the most vulnerable and deserving veterans benefit, but so many other lives are touched and improved along the way. Having managed his final illness, his financial affairs and now his estate, we feel very proud to see his wish fulfilled through such a serendipitous enterprise.” The Board of Directors for SGV Habitat extends immense gratitude to the Trustees of Charlie’s estate and to Charlie himself—a man who lived fully and responsibly and shared his wisdom and wealth through this amazing legacy gift that will transform forever the lives of three veterans and their families.
The Charitable IRA Rollover Returns! Deane Winant
Deane Winant passed away in the early morning of January 14, 2013. The SGV Habitat family will greatly miss Deane’s big smile and his great passion for our affiliate’s affordable housing work. He served on the Board of Directors from 2004 to 2008 and chaired the Public Relations Committee for four years. Deane had many skills and talents and is remembered for driving a flatbed truck to Long Beach to pick up and deliver donated drywall for the Pacific Homes in Glendale.
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, an attempt by Congress to avoid the fiscal cliff, resurrected the IRA Charitable Rollover which had expired at the end of 2011. This means that the IRA Charitable Rollover provision has been extended through December 31, 2013. It authorizes a tax-free Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) transferred from an IRA directly to a charitable organization such as San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. The owner of the IRA making the direct transfer must be age 70 ½ or older to qualify. Each IRA owner can exclude from gross income up to $100,000 of QCDs annually. Tax Planning Strategy The QCD can be used as a strategy to reduce taxable income that is required from an
IRA in 2013. In other words, all or a portion of the income distribution that is required to be made by the IRA to its owner can be distributed, instead, directly to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. The charitable distribution is not subject to income tax for 2013. For information about how you can benefit from this revised tax benefit, contact your IRA fund advisor. Your IRA fund advisor will provide details on how to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution gift that will reduce your taxable income and help build affordable housing in the San Gabriel Valley. The information in this article is not considered as legal or tax advice. The reader should consult with his or her tax accountant or legal counsel.
Search for A New ReStore Location
For the past three years, we have operated two ReStores in the San Gabriel Valley. Both the Azusa and Pasadena ReStores are doing great business and return funds to support the affordable housing mission of SGV Habitat for Humanity. But changes are coming that require relocation of the Pasadena ReStore. With the building lease at 770 N. Fair Oaks ending in
2013, we are excited about new opportunities to serve our ReStore customers and could use your help to find a promising location. So, as you are driving about or talking with friends, please keep an eye and an ear out for our needed building features: • A 15,000-20,000 sq. ft. building available for retail zoning • The building needs to be on a busy street so our new location will be highly visible to both new and long-time customers • Rent needs to be affordable, at the low end. • The new location must be in the west end of our service area (Pasadena, Altadena, Glendale or Eagle Rock) • Parking lot to handle 35 plus vehicles. We will follow up on all leads you submit! Just call or e-mail Bill Anderson, at 626-2904333 or bilande@aol.com or storepasadena@ sgvhabitat.org
Support for Low-Income Veterans
Please Register for Ralphs Community Contribution Program. Participants are required to register or re-register for the new term at Ralphs.com or via the scan bar (below) at Ralphs. To use the easy bar code registration, just ask the clerk to scan this barcode along with your Rewards Card or alternate ID. A purchase is required to link your card with the bar code. The clerk will know that the procedure is successful when there is an audible beep and the words “LOYALTY DIV” appear on your receipt. SGV Habitat receives a donation check quarterly from Ralphs for up to 4% of all registered supporters’ purchases. Thank you for contributing to SGV Habitat’s affordable housing mission!
Welcome to New Employees Brittné Anderson – In December, Brittne joined the Azusa ReStore team as a part-time Administrative Clerk. Since graduating from Azusa Pacific University (APU), she has been teaching art and traveling the world. When she is not working at Habitat she spends her time working at a nearby school called Epitome Academy. Brittné feels blessed to be able to work for Habitat for Humanity and looks forward to becoming a construction volunteer.
Do you know a veteran who owns a home that is in need of critical home repairs or accessibility accommodations? SGV Habitat is proud to participate in the HFHI/Home Depot Repair Corps Program. With materials funded by The Home Depot and labor contributed by volunteers and by businesses and individuals who want to help veterans, SGV Habitat can help veterans
in need to have homes that are safe and accessible. To make referrals, please contactDamien Allen, Director of Construction, at 626-2308917 or construction@sgvhabitat.org. You can also direct homeowner veterans who need critical home repairs to the online application on our website: sgvhabitat.org
Michael Springs – Michael Springs joined the Habitat for Humanity team in December because he wanted to help families who need affordable housing. He brings seven years of commercial and retail experience with Lowe’s and is currently an undergraduate student at Azusa Pacific University. Last month, Michael and his wife became the parents of a beautiful little girl. They are both absolutely thrilled to welcome a new person into the world. In his “spare time,” Michael plays the drums and tours with a band named Branches.
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feature a variety of foods from the following local restaurants: Altadena Country Club, Bean Town, Centerplate, El Cholo, Green Street, Matt Denny’s, Mijares, New Moon Restaurant, Omar’s Pizzaria, Pepper’s, PF
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2013 April Newsletter San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc. 400 South Irwindale Avenue Azusa, CA 91702
On Sunday, May 19th, 2013 San Gabriel Valley (SGV) Habitat for Humanity’s 4th Annual Fundraising Event will be hosted at the University Club in Pasadena. This year’s theme, “Small Bites for Big Dreams” will
Changs, Perfectly Sweet Bakery, Smart & Final, Prive Water, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Sierra Madre Grocery Company, Skaf ’s Lebanese Cuisine, Stonefire Grill, Sube Iced Coffee, The Spot, Trattoria Neapolis, the University Club and Trader Joe’s. In addition to “small bites” there will be silent and live auctions, a Wine Bar courtesy of Lucas & Llewellen Vineyards, a Beer Bar generously donated by Miller Coors and live entertainment featuring Jennifer Dyer and friends performing soft rock to jazz. The event is being sponsored by City National Bank, Design Escrow and Integrated Office Technology (Iotec). The program will also feature a presentation from SGV Habitat and a homeowner family. The event will be held at the University Club of Pasadena at 175 N. Oakland Ave in Pasadena on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $60 presale, $65 at the door. To learn more about the event or to purchase tickets online, please visit our website: www.sgvhabitat.org or call Elizabeth Ramirez at (626) 387-6899 x16 for more information.