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
I first became involved with Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County (HFHBC) as a volunteer about 4 years ago. This was a little bit after our Affiliate began building in Beverly with a "gut-rehab" on Laurel Street. Like many people, I knew that Habitat built affordable houses and that former President Jimmy Carter was somehow involved. That was it.
We had a core group of Saturday volunteers, men and women that showed up pretty regularly. Quite frankly, it was kind of fun. Meet some great people, learn some trade skills, drink some coffee, do some good. But I also became curious about the workings of Habitat for Humanity and especially about this small Affiliate. The first thing I learned is that HFHBC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation and an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.
What did this mean? Well, we are an ecumenical Christian housing ministry, like International, whose goal is to eliminate poverty housing, to build relationships and communities as well as houses, and to make decent housing for everyone a matter of consciencelocally! We are a local charity. We depend on tax exempt contributions of money, materials and services to fund our projects that are built with volunteer labor. And we tithe 10% of non-designated donations to International to fund overseas projects. We receive no money from International so local support is critical to our success.
There is not space enough to tell all the additional things I have since learned except to say that Habitat for Humanity is an extremely effective and productive community- oriented charity. If you are in the area, stop by our office in Beverly and we can tell you all about the great things that are happening with your local Affiliate.
Peter Cerra, Executive Director
Charitable gifts included as part of your long range financial planning can offer a wonderful way to provide lasting support for organizations like Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County. It can be possible to make a "gift of a lifetime" while minimizing taxes and conserving more of your estate for your loved ones. Or you can utilize several tax-advantaged ways to make a charitable gift now while still retaining an income for life.
We would be pleased to provide you with more information. Just contact our office to learn more about how to leave a legacy that helps make home ownership a reality for Habitat partner families.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?""
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our Burlington County Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is ready to move to the next level as a builder of affordable homes for lower income families. Over the past few years, Beth Rand, Office Manager and Steve King, Executive Director and Construction Manager, provided the energy and enthusiasm to make a real impact in Beverly, where we completed three homes in each of the last two years. We are now working on our 9th, 10th and 11th homes, all within a couple of blocks of our office. In order to increase our home production significantly beyond three homes per year, the Board of Directors determined that it would be necessary to reorganize and expand the staff.
As a result, Peter Cerra has been appointed Executive Director, effective January 1, 2003. Peter began as a Saturday volunteer and was actively involved in fundraising for us the last two years. His responsibilities as ED will include business management, marketing, program development and fundraising.
Steve King will refocus on site selection, site acquisition and construction management. Steve did a terrific job wearing two hats but is quite pleased to be able to return full time to his real passion, construction.
Beth Rand's responsibilities and workweek as Office Manager has been expanded in order to support our efforts to continue to grow. Her knowledge, energy and commitment to our mission have been invaluable.
Personally, I am delighted that our local Habitat Affiliate has such outstanding dedicated staff. We are excited about our plans to make more affordable homes available. As always, our future success depends on this wonderful staff, our volunteers, and the support of the community.
William Santamore
President, Board of Directors
Area Businesses and Organizations continue to be a key resource. The following have made donations at a minimum level of $500 during our current fiscal year.
PLATINUM PLUS LEVEL
PLATINUM LEVEL
GOLD LEVEL
SILVER LEVEL
BRONZE LEVEL
CORNERSTONE LEVEL
We would like to thank Jennifer Warholak for designing a new poster encouraging people to apply for our home ownership program for lower income families. The poster is bright, attractive and informative. We would be happy to send you one to display at your church, synagogue or mosque, at your place of business or at your community service organization. Jennifer is the Art Director for Graphics and Exhibits at the New Jersey Aquarium. She has donated her time and talent to this effort and we greatly appreciate it!
TEAM HABITAT has become a popular company sponsored workday at a Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County (HFHBC) 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 helping to build affordable housing for Burlington County Habitat approved families.
TOOLS FOR TEAMS is a new complementary program to Team Habitat and offers specific, team building and interpersonal skill training. HFHBC and Team Builders Plus, a Cherry Hill, NJ company, have teamed up to offer this unique and rewarding experience. Using an HFHBC work site, Team Builders Plus facilitators help participants to link group dynamics demonstrated in the building process to real-world work experiences. Team Builders Plus uses a highly interactive approach to developing these skills and is expert at linking training experiences to business issues and group dynamics.
- Contact the Office at 609-239-5551 to Learn More -
Our dear friend, Bob Shepherd, retired from our Board recently after serving Habitat for Humanity Burlington County since 1987. Bob was on the original planning committee to bring Habitat for Humanity to Burlington County. He is truly one of our founding fathers. He has guided us well through the years. For those of you who know Bob, perhaps through his church, or because of his volunteerism with MEND, Homes of Hope, or serving with him on many committees, you know his thoughtful comments are invaluable. He has a way of cutting down to the essence of a problem and solving it. His reputation as a kind and decent man has brought many volunteers and funding our way. We heard from Susan Arnold that her husband Dave would not have been involved in Habitat were it not for the fact that Bob Shepherd showed up on their doorstep the morning after Dave retired. He was there to recruit Dave to the cause of affordable housing, and recruit him he did.
We consider ourselves very lucky to have received such a large chunk of Bob's time, as his schedule is full of more charitable commitments than most people with a full time job.
We must thank Bob's family for sharing him with Habitat, his wife Chris and his two children, three grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Bob has spent many hours away from them, as he volunteered on our Board, worked on our work sites and attended many committee meetings. We know he has worked more than 500 hours on every Habitat house we have built and Bob has worked on all 19 of them. He is still working every week as a site volunteer and although in his 80's, he shows no sign of slowing down. We are grateful for you Bob, we can never say it enough, thank you.
We are excited about our new website designed and hosted by u1.net. It's at www.habitatbcnj.org. Ron Guida, President of u1.net, read about our need to upgrade our website in the last Cornerstone publication and visited our office to discuss what they could do to help. As a result, Ron offered to donate engineering time to redesign the site and also to host it. Kevin Van Horn was assigned to the project and he has done a fantastic job. The site is clean, professional and easy to navigate. It's great!
Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County is an autonomous, independent non-profit corporation that depends on tax deductible donations of money, materials and services.
Our goal is to achieve an annual income of $750,000 within 5 years. This will allow us to build more than ten homes per year. We need your help to get there.
Unity House is a building project created for the purpose of establishing a fully funded building program supported by an interfaith coalition of area Houses of Worship. The Unity House project puts into practice the "theology of the hammer".
"This theology is about bringing a wide diversity of people, churches and other organizations together to build houses and establish viable and dynamic communities. It is acknowledging that differences of opinion exist on numerous subjects - political, philosophical and theological - but that we can find common ground in using a hammer as an instrument to manifest God's love. Even though there may be strong differences on all sort of things - baptism, communion, what night to have a prayer meeting, and how the preacher should dress, for example - we can agree on the imperative of the gospel to serve others in the name of the Lord."
Millard Fuller
Founder of Habitat for Humanity
The construction of the first Unity House will begin once designated contributions reach $30,000. It will require $60,000 to fully fund construction of this home.
The Fourth Annual Cendant Charity Golf Classic is scheduled for June 9th at the scenic Seaview Marriott Resort and Spa in Galloway, NJ. Our Affiliate, Habitat for Humanity of Burlington County and the Camden Metropolitan Habitat Affiliate have received substantial funding from past events. Proceeds from this year's event will go to the two Habitat Affiliates, Easter Seals, and to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Auction items provided by the individual charity generate additional funds. Please help us by submitting items for auction such as celebrity autographed items, time at a vacation home, sports related artwork, memorabilia, electronics and electronic games and gadgets, etc. Information about the event can be seen at www.cendantgolf.com.
 Ian Roderick, a Habitat site manager, and Reya Crosland work on home reconstruction in Beverly. |
 Bob Shepherd on the work site |
 Demolition work being done on 308 Broad St. during the month of February 2003 |
 Volunteers from Lord of Life and McGuire AirForce Base at work during February 2003 |
 Continuing demolition work being done on 308 Broad St. during the month of February 2003 |
 Joann Crosland and her daughter work on their new home on Laurel St. in Beverly. |
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