Editor: Beth Rand
Layout: Ruth Hannum
Office Staff: Beth Rand, Betty Dyess
My tenure as President of the Board of Directors ends on December 31, 2004. I have seen our organization go through substantial changes as we plan, organize and implement an aggressive growth strategy. I am excited about our future.
Habitat for Humanity provides a wonderful vehicle for making a difference in people's lives and in the community. How big an impact is directly related to the number of homes we build, which is the most visible measure of our success. But there are many other activities besides home construction that contribute to the difference we make.
One, which I am personally interested in, is the involvement of young people in our mission and their exposure to volunteerism. As a result, I will be taking a leadership role in developing and managing programs for young people. This will include construction work, of course, but it will also include a learning component that touches on Burlington County demographics, family economics, economics of a non-profit and the operational needs of a successful Habitat affiliate.
I am looking to add committee members.
Anyone interested?
Bill Santamore, President
Team Habitat has become a popular company sponsored event at a Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County construction site for the purpose of building employee enthusiasm and teamwork. It can be a half-day or full day event. Team Habitat provides an opportunity to build employee morale, demonstrate good corporate citizenship, build company visibility and enhance personal interaction outside the company work environment while building affordable housing for HFHBC approved families.
"Business groups accomplish two types of 'building' when they volunteer for a day of service. Building for a better community and building better teams within their own workplace. Everyone gains from the volunteering experience!"
-Bob Juillet, Prudential Fox & Roach Realty, Medford
Contact the Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County office to obtain additional information.
Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County (HFHBC) is an independent, non-profit New Jersey corporation that depends on tax deductible donations of money, materials and services to maintain our program. HFHBC tithes 10% of non-designated contributions to Habitat International to support International's overseas building program. Our Board has directed International that our tithe be used to build homes in the Dominican Republic.
Our income continues to grow. Our goal is to achieve an annual income of at least $1,000,000 and build more than ten homes per year in Burlington County. We need your help to get there. If you know anyone that might like to support our mission, please let them know of our need. Thank you.
We are moving forward with our plans to open a Habitat ReStore, a retail operation that sells donated items at discounted prices to the general public. The ReStore Project Team has begun to build inventory storing it in temporary warehouse space donated by the Whitesell Company. The Team is actively seeking donations of building materials, home goods and other items. Simply call the Habitat office and a Team member will call you back to schedule a pick up. The Team is also planning to have someone at the warehouse to receive items that are delivered. A firm date and hours of operation for this have not yet been decided.
Excitement is building for this business venture. We will need volunteers to support its operation and we need equipment and vehicles (See Wish List). Give us a call and find out how you can help.
Women Build is an opportunity for an all female crew to build a house from start to finish! All we ask is that you bring a willing heart and able hands. If you feel you don't have any construction skills and would like to develop them – we offer training.
There are already more than 450 Women Build houses in the United States. There have been Women Build projects in more than 15 countries and today there are some 20,000 women volunteering on Habitat for Humanity construction sites each year.
We expect to begin construction in the spring of 2005, probably in Mt. Holly. We hope that this will be the first of many Women Build projects located throughout the County. We are presently in the planning stage and need all kinds of help. Please volunteer to help with fundraising, food, hospitality, building supplies, in-kind donations, public relations or recruiting and managing construction volunteers.
If you are interested please call or e-mail me with your name and phone number and I will contact you.
Ellen Ward
Project Manager
856-727-9264
womensbuildhabitat@comcast.net
"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." I John 3:18
Area businesses and organizations continue to play a critical role in our growing success as a Habitat Affiliate. Their financial support provides the necessary resources to purchase properties, building materials, tools, and services, and to compensate staff. We are proud and grateful that so many are willing to make contributions. The following have made contributions of at least $500 in 2004 YTD as we go to press.
Platinum Plus Level
Cendant Corporation Real Estate Division
Church Brick Company
Equity One
Ford Motor Company
Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors
Gold Level
Boeing Employees Community Foundation
Fleet/Boston
GMAC Corporation
McKesson Charity Foundation
Silver Level
Dan Higgins Wood Flooring Warehouse
Canon Business Solutions
Prudential Fox Roach Charities
Marlin Leasing
Bronze Level
Satin Finish Flooring
Sun National Bank
WalMart Stores
Cornerstone Level
Farmers & Mechanics Bank
Peter Tocco Company
Many of us recently made a traditional impact in our community by electing our officials on November 2. However, I really want to focus just for a minute on one of the biggest non-traditional ways of impacting your community. Become a volunteer. More specifically become a Habitat volunteer. As a citizen of Burlington County you all have talents and resources that are vital to our growing affiliate. When you first think about Habitat and volunteering, your mind floods with warm fuzzy thoughts of hammering walls together, hanging drywall, painting, and nearly every other aspect of construction. The reality is that Habitat needs workers in so many other areas that don't include construction.
Let's talk talents! We need people who know how to acquire lots and empty houses. We need accountants to help with our book keeping. Maybe you have time during the week to help with pick-ups for our new resale store. We are in need of people with an entrepreneurial spirit to create programs for kids under 16 to be involved with, since they are unable to help out in construction. Your skills might be in fundraising or marketing or public relations. And let's not forget about those resources. You might know distributors who can donate materials or office equipment. Others know subcontractors that are willing to donate time to help with the mechanics in our homes. All of us can make small or big (Tax Deductible) financial contributions. The list of our needs are endless and you or someone you know, might be exactly who we are looking for.
Now that you are ready to jump up right now and get in your car to come volunteer, please afford us one favor. Call us and find out our needs, because they are always changing even from week to week. This way we stay organized. If you have volunteered in the past, thank you so very much! If you haven't volunteered with us or you've been a little disengaged, give our office a call.
Bronzie Harris, Construction Manager
We are making good progress on Liberty House as we complete the roof and close in the home. The next step is to do the wiring and plumbing and then work will begin on the installation of insulation, walls, doors, trim and so on. We are targeting early spring for completion. Photograph by Joe Martelli
There was a Board of Directors retreat in October. Since I am not a board member I couldn't officially participate but I was certainly a very interested "observer". Myles Burke, a Lockheed Martin employee, very ably facilitated the planning process. The objectives for the meeting were to first organize and align board members with key committees using our by-laws as a guideline. This approach is used by most affiliates and provides board leadership to activities that are critical to sustained growth. Second, to agree on a mission statement and vision statement for our affiliate.....that is, clearly describe our purpose and the on-going results we envision.
The key committees and board member alignment are described elsewhere in Cornerstone. The vision statement is still being refined by the board but looks something like this..... "a non-profit, volunteer based organization and ecumenical Christian housing ministry that empowers families, transforms neighborhoods, and positively affects the lives of partner families, volunteers and the communities we serve."
Interestingly, reaffirming the mission statement that we have subscribed to (and developed at a previous retreat) once again lead to an energetic discussion before accepting the core wording from the current mission statement. Why? Because there is a good argument that our 'real mission' is to change lives. And it is true that we change lives. But there are many organizations that do that yet none in the way we do. Hence the reaffirmation that our mission is to eliminate substandard and overcrowded housing in Burlington County through affordable home ownership.
The retreat was very productive. Most important to me, however, was the demonstrated passion for and commitment to the success of our affiliate by board members. With this kind of support and involvement we will make our vision a reality throughout Burlington County.
Peter A. Cerra
Executive Director
At the board retreat in October, board members aligned with key committees to provide leadership and support. This "organizational next step" is an important one in building an affiliate that can grow and sustain a home production rate of at least ten homes per year. In order to make this alignment effective, it is critical that each committee develop a committed group of volunteers to help carry out each committee's responsibilities.
Please contact our office if you are interested in joining one of the following committees.
| Committee Name | Board Leader | Committee Responsibilities |
| Family Relations* | John Beltz | • Family Selection • Family Nurture • Closings & Mortgages |
| Family Training* | Robin Wiley | • Budgeting Workshops |
| Finance | Ryan Lehrfeld | • Budgets • Policies |
| Site Selection & Property Acquisition** | Jim Stewart | • Property Acquisition |
| Construction** | Sal Dragone | • Design • Home Construction |
| Marketing & Resource Development* | Jay Dragone Denise Lee Harry Bagot |
• Publicity & Outreach • Public Awareness • Cultivate Corporations, Business & Other Organizations • Fundraising |
| Marketing & Resource Development* Church Relations |
Father Bob Legnani | • Houses of worship support and involvement |
| Marketing & Resource Development* ReStore |
Bill Jenkins | • Business planning and business start-up |
As noted elsewhere, we are blessed and extremely grateful for the support we receive from area businesses. Quite simply, we would not be successful without the donations of time and money that we receive every year from employers and employees.
There is a small group of companies that deserve special recognition for their extremely generous financial support. Each is a Platinum Plus Sponsor contributing at least $15,000 each year.
Leading the list is the Cendant Real Estate Services Division. Cendant has consistently contributed between 15% and 20% of our total annual budget. In fact, Cendant's initial support five years ago was the catalyst to introduce HFHBC to other area businesses and to seek their support. Their role in our growing success can't be overstated.
Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors employees have consistently volunteered with our affiliate. About four years ago Lockheed began to support us financially and most recently the company has taken a leadership role in funding and publicizing our theme build, Liberty House.
Church Brick Company was our second Platinum Plus sponsor right behind Cendant. The company has been a consistent contributor to HFHBC reflecting their dedication to and tradition of community support.
Ford Motor Company joined this elite group last year when they came out to our work site with 45 volunteers and a large check. They repeated this performance this year and we look forward to making it an annual event.
Equity One is our newest Platinum Plus sponsor. We are just getting started with them. Equity One has committed to sponsoring a whole house.
* Greatest need
** Currently staffed. Will need help in the coming year.
It is that time again...The seasons have changed, the holidays are upon us, everyone is busy making plans for decorating, baking, and shopping for gifts. Children provide long lists of wants in the gift department. We seem to spend far too much time in the mall, our mailboxes overflow with catalogs. If you work for a non-profit, you dread this time of year.
If you work for a non-profit, you know that a change in seasons, doesn't signal a time for hayrides and pumpkin picking, it means a needy family who must decide between paying the car insurance or the utility bill for a drafty apartment.
If you work for a non-profit, your focus might not be on your baking or picking out your turkey or ham, but on that family who was evicted because mom spent too much time at the hospital with a child with asthma and lost her job and will spend the holidays in a motel cooking on a hotplate. If you work for a non-profit, you talk with your children to change their focus as to what needs really are, shelter, food, love, and faith. Playstations, Ipods and new computers will never make that list.
If you work for a non-profit, this is the season phone calls from needy families increase, the funds dwindle and you go home to be haunted in your dreams each night by the families you could not help.
Yes, this is the season of giving, but as you give to each other and show your love in your gifts, remember to reach out and give to those who will go without this season and throughout the year, give to your favorite charity, whether it be Habitat for Humanity or another. Remember that we are blessed in this country, and we need to express our thanks for our blessings by giving some back.
May God bestow his blessings on you and yours this holiday season and throughout the New Year.
Beth Rand
Operations Manager
Unity House has gone from an idea to a reality. We continue to encourage members of area houses of worship to join us as we put into practice the Theology of the Hammer.
The year 2004 has been quite a home production challenge. You might recall that we wrote in our fall 2003 newsletter that we anticipated finalizing a "partnership" agreement with Burlington City that would lead to a significant increase in the number of homes under construction. The change in administration following the election placed the agreement on hold as the new Mayor wanted to reassess the City's needs and the role for Habitat in helping to revitalize neighborhoods. We continue to talk with the City about our role as we complete the three homes started on York Street this spring. These homes were planned to start earlier but we learned that New Jersey State permits were required since the properties were in the 100-year flood plane. This was a new experience for us. Once we obtained the necessary engineering (provided pro bono by Taylor,Wiseman & Taylor) the State needed 90 days to review the application and issue the permits. As a result, we will not complete any homes in 2004.
However, we have now signed a twelve home agreement with Mt. Holly. Three properties have already been identified and one will be subdivided so we can build four homes. We currently own four properties in Beverly and are pursuing the acquisition of at least three more. We plan to acquire enough properties to do a major project. We just received a donated property in Palmyra by the Doris C. Bell family. We are also talking with Palmyra about four properties the city owns. (The Bells also donated two lots in Beverly about two years ago). And finally, we are hopeful in the short term that Burlington will make available two boarded properties on the street on which we are currently building.
Bottom line, we will have lined up the properties that should allow us to complete seven homes in 2005. Our goal is to continue to increase home production reaching ten homes per year, perhaps as soon as 2006. Our goal is to sustain this level of annual construction. We are very excited about the challenge and welcome all that want to help.
The Danielle Foundation and the D'Olier Foundation have generously supported our housing ministry for many years. The Henry M. Rowan Family Foundation has more recently joined them in helping us succeed in making decent, affordable housing a reality for families in need.
Building a Habitat home is a complicated process. Our decent and affordable homes use the same components that for-profit builders require. However, our construction schedule must accommodate volunteers who are living out their faith in deeds. We train about 25 volunteers each week at our three sites on York St. in Burlington City. That's right, train them to do the work of professionals in 10 minutes or less. Then we turn them loose on the site with hammers, nails and saws to build or rehab our homes. We expect them to perform these professional tasks sometimes with little supervision.
As you might guess from time to time we have to "call a do over" or a "time out" to fix the problems that arise from doing the job in this fashion. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't do it any other way. There is great joy from watching vols (as I call them) get the job done. But, then I have to strike a balance between the efficient use of resources and allowing vols to do the job and losing some materials because of mistakes. Again don't get me wrong, the mistakes are few, but there is a way to make them even less. How you ask? By using vols to get the job done, wait a second didn't I just say that vols were part of the struggle, yes and they are part of the solution as well.
In recent weeks I have seen a few vols that have some construction and leadership experience. So I've begun to compile a list of those willing to give HFHBC one Saturday a month every three months. That's four Saturdays a year starting in 2005. Perhaps that vol is you, and I've overlooked you or you have not been out to our site this past year. If you think that person is you, we need to talk. You may contact our office and leave your name and number with Beth. She will turn your name and number over to me and I'll return your call.
One other thing, you don't have to have construction experience to be one of these vols. You only need a willing spirit...willing to listen, learn, and lead a few good vols.
Don Cerra
Director of Construction Management
When 8-year old Maura Aleardi was planning to make her first Holy Communion last spring, she knew one task she had to complete: choose the charity her gifts would go to. It seems Maura's family had a tradition that when one of the three daughters made their first communion each would select a charity and ask guests to bring a donation for the charity as their gift.
Maura thought for awhile about her choices, and set her eyes on Habitat for Humanity. Months before her communion, she and her family visited the Habitat House in Burlington so she could see for herself exactly what Habitat does. Maura asked questions, met volunteers, and toured the house still in its early stages of construction.
Maura then mailed invitations to over 50 families invited to her party. On the front of the invitation Maura wrote: "Giving lights up the sun" and inside she wrote Habitat's wish list and asked her friends to choose an item from the wish list as her gift. As guest arrived on her special day, they carried hammers, shovels, and even a wheelbarrow. Maura's living room quickly filled with office and construction supplies.
The day after the party Maura and her family filled their SUV to deliver the gifts to Habitat's Burlington County office, where they filled our floors with the wonderful gifts.
Maura is a third grade student at Westfield Friends School and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in Hainesport.
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