The Newsletter of the Burlington County Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity
Burlington County Affiliate
Editor: Beth Rand
Layout: Ruth Hannum
Office Staff: Beth Rand, Betty Dyess
Our plans for 2003 are a continuation of a long-range plan which began in 1998, the rehabilitation of the 300 Block in the City of Beverly. Habitat has had success in completing eight homes that now house thirty-one people. Six of the eight properties were gut rehabs. These distressed properties, abandoned for a decade, were a burden to the City and it's residents.
Habitat for Humanity Burlington County has now begun the construction of four new projects. We have begun the total rehabilitation of a single family home located at 427 Laurel Street in Beverly. Habitat for Humanity will remove the interior plaster, trim, wiring, pipes, etc. The first floor addition is rotted and sagging and must be removed. The property will become a three bedroom single family home. We have also begun work on three vacant lots on Second Street. These lots will become three single-family three-bedroom homes.
Blessings,
Steve King
On Saturday, September 21, we dedicated three homes in Beverly at 301, 301A and 303 Broad Street. We wish to thank the choir and musicians of Mt. Zion Church of Christ for their beautiful voices and music. James Winfield and Henry Bussey provided the wonderful food. It was a beautiful day, the weather was perfect and the company was even better. Thank you to all who joined us for this special day! And a special message from the Brown and Steven's families to all the donors and volunteers, "Thank you for our beautiful new homes!"
We would like to thank the following businesses and organizations that have contributed to Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County. Their financial support is a critical element in our growing success.
CORNERSTONE LEVEL - $500
BRONZE LEVEL - $1,000
SILVER LEVEL - $2,500
GOLD LEVEL - $5,000
PLATINUM LEVEL -$10,000
PLATINUM PLUS LEVEL -$15,000
Habitat for Humanity Burlington County is currently accepting
applications from volunteers for a new program, UNITY HOUSE.
The UNITY House program is a building project, which has been created for the purpose of establishing a fully funded building program supported by an interfaith coalition of houses of worship in Burlington County. UNITY HOUSE will bring together different faith communities to achieve one common goal--to build decent affordable houses with families in need.
Our goal for the 2003 UNITY HOUSE is for the faith community to raise $60,000 for the construction of one home and to provide sufficient volunteer labor to build the first UNITY HOUSE home.
Our long term goal is for the faith community to raise $120,000 annually to fund construction of two UNITY HOUSE homes each year as well as provide volunteer labor to build the two UNITY HOUSE homes.
If your church, mosque, synagogue, meeting, etc. would like a presentation on how you can become a part of UNITY HOUSE, please contact Director of Resource Development, Peter Cerra, at our office at 609.239.5551.
Member Agency UNITED WAY of Burlington County
"Our Building on Faith Week was held this year from September 16 to September 21. Over a dozen houses of worship participated, some donating money as well as generously donating their time. We nearly completed the demolition of the 427 Laurel Street property's interior. Volunteers removed twenty tons of plaster and lathe from the house. We completed sheetrocking and are now finishing construction at 303 Broad Street. On behalf of the families who will call these houses home, I thank all who participated for all of their hard work."
God Bless,
Steve King
A very good and long time friend of Habitat for Humanity Burlington County New Jersey Affiliate, Inc., David Arnold, passed away recently. Dave was 82 and had been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity since 1989, the year he retired from his paid marketing career. We weren't the only place he generously donated his talents, Moorestown Friends School, Moore College of Art and Design, Haverford College and others were the recipients of his time, and expertise. We can only hope the other organizations felt his love and caring the way Habitat did. Dave didn't just occupy a seat at Board meetings; he worked on our construction sites, he stuffed envelopes and labeled newsletters as well as convincing family and friends it might be a grand idea to help him stuff those envelopes and label those newsletters. When we would discuss a need at a Board meeting, it would not surprise us to receive a phone call during the next month from someone offering help because Dave had made a phone call or written one of his wonderful letters. It was hard to say no when David Arnold asked you, because you knew he was already doing more than he was asking you to do. We had once received a rather large donation check from a company and had called to ask if they needed our 501c3 or our tax returns or our audit and any other information along with our written thank you. The President said no, David Arnold's name on our Board of Directors was all the verification he needed. Dave, we miss you, we still feel your touch as we are receiving checks in your memory from friends, neighbors, associates. Thank you to your family for sharing you with us.
The third annual Cendant Golf Outing was held June 17th at Pine Hill Country Club. We would like to thank all the hard working employees who made this such an outstanding event. Also receiving funding from this year's event are Childhelp USA, Easter Seals, Camden Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
"Building the House-Only the Tip of the Iceberg" by Bill Santamore
Yes, Habitat for Humanity builds houses.
This is the most obvious and tangible aspect of Habitat.
Yet, this is not the only component of Habitat for Humanity.
In these days of stress, in these days of uncertainty, Habitat brings people together.
New Jersey will be one of the first states in the US where whites will no longer be the majority.
But this statistic tells only part of the story. Today, there is more racial, ethnic and
religious diversity than ever. Yet many aspects of our daily life, our workplace, our local
town, the national news, etc. may further isolate us, rather than bring us together.
Habitat reverses this trend. Habitat helps to bring people together by planning together,
by working together, and by sweating together. This is especially apparent at the worksite,
where a sense of camaraderie prevails.
Yes, Habitat builds houses, but this is only one aspect of its mission.
We are grateful for the generous businesses, churches, civic and school organizations, and individuals who toiled at our work sites this past year to help make someone else's dream of owning their own home a reality. We are grateful for all who donated funds and materials to keep us building. Unfortunately, we still have along way to go to achieve our goal of eliminating poverty housing in Burlington County. We still need your help, and will be asking you to do more so we can do more. Come join us at our work sites, we are a feel-good place with loads of laughter. Write us a check, it will make you feel good at tax time. Attend our dedications for finished homes, the music will make your heart sing and the grateful families will bring you to tears.
___ I'd like to be part of a work crew.
___ I'd like to be a volunteer for a committee
___ I'd like to donate in-kind contributions, i.e., building materials, office supplies, warehouse space.
___ I'll be a prayer partner.
___ I'd like a speaker for my church, school, or organization.
___ My special gift is enclosed $____________.
___ I'd like information on your home ownership program.
___ I'd like to donate to Burlington County Habitat for Humanity online at www.habitatbcnj.org
Name:_____________________________________
Address:___________________________________
City:____________________ State:_____Zip:_____
Phone: ______________________
Habitat for Humanity
PO Box 67
Beverly, NJ 08010
Office: 609.239.5551
Fax: 609.239.0569
Email: habitatbcnj@snip.net
Website: www.habitatbcnj.org