Join Watauga Habitat for Humanity in celebrating World Habitat Day

 

Thirty-five years ago, the United Nations General Assembly took an important step in promoting the idea that everyone deserves a decent place to live by declaring that the first Monday in October would be World Habitat Day.  On October 5^th, 2020, Watauga Habitat for Humanity joins with our partners locally and around the world to rededicate ourselves to recognizing the basic right to adequate shelter.  Watauga Habitat for Humanity asks that we all come together as one communicating that: 

• Every one of us deserves the opportunity for a better future.

• A decent place to live can remove barriers to opportunity, health and success that might have been part of a family’s life for years and in many cases for generations.

• It is unacceptable that even before the COVID-19 crisis, more than 18 million U.S. households were paying half or more of their income on housing. Now, as the significant economic impacts of COVID-19 continue to unfold, the number of families struggling to make ends meet is only growing. 

Habitat for Humanity International is working to improve home affordability for 10 million people through a five-year U.S. advocacy campaign called Cost of Home. The campaign, which launched in June 2019, provides the opportunity to mobilize corporate and faith partners, volunteers and community members to meet the nation’s home affordability challenge. Donate your voice and invite your network to advocate for policies that increase the supply and preservation of affordable homes, equitably increase access to credit, optimize land use for affordable homes, and develop homes and ensure access to and the development of communities of opportunity. 

Given that World Habitat Day falls one month before the 2020 elections, we encourage everyone to use this time to call on candidates and voters to prioritize home affordability this Nov. 3. To learn more visit, habitat.org/costofhome/act-now .

 

Watauga Habitat "ReStore Rick" Retiring

 

After more than 14 years of service, former ReStore manager, Rick Melo is hanging up his hat and hammer and retiring.  Rick is looking forward to spending more time with his grandchildren and will be moving to the Asheville area.

“To say he will be missed is an understatement,” said Allison Jennings, Director of Development for Watauga Habitat for Humanity. “Rick’s hard work and devotion to the ReStore has helped our affiliate fund and build 14 affordable houses in our community.  Rick has transformed families for generations to come,” said Jennings.

In 2006, Rick began volunteering at the original ReStore on George Wilson Road. Two years later he accepted the role of store manager.  Rick helped moved the store to different locations and the ReStore is now a thriving non-profit home improvement and donation center located at 1200 Archie Carrol Road in Boone.

For customers who would like to wish Rick a safe and happy retirement, stop by the ReStore through Friday October 2nd.  Hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday, 12pm-5pm.  Friday October 2nd the ReStore will be offering “Retirement Rick” discounts.

“On behalf of the staff and Board of Directors of Watauga Habitat for Humanity, we are thankful for Rick Melo’s dedication and time-served,” said Gardner Hoover, ReStore Manager. “From the bottom of our hearts, we’re going to miss you. It was great working with you-your hard work and dedication truly made a lasting impact, and one that has changed Watauga County Habitat and the ReStore for the better in so many ways. Congratulations on your retirement! Here’s to watching your grandkids and not the bottom line!” said Hoover.

After (or before!) Shopping at Mast Store in Boone or Valle Crucis, Stop by Stick Boy Bakery or Kitchen!

 

Visit Mast General Store and "Round-Up For a Cause"

 

During the month of September, Mast General Stores in Boone and Valle Crucis are asking guests to "round up for a cause" to support Watauga Habitat for Humanity and their efforts to help hard-working neighbors build and buy homes. Habitat has been working in our community for more than 30 years helping people purchase affordable homes. When shopping at Mast General Store in Boone and Valle Crucis, we hope you'll round up your purchases to the next dollar - spare nickels, dimes, and quarters add up to a big impact. Through shelter, we empower.

Don't miss our Hope Builders August 2020 Newsletter!

 

Community Partners Help Us Build Safe and Affordable Housing

 

Watauga Habitat for Humanity is super-thankful for partnering with Bank of America during these struggling times.  #BofAGrants has awarded our organization $5K to help build a home for a hard-working mom and grandmother.  Bank of America understands that now, more than ever, families need a safe place to call home.  Through shelter, we empower. 

Announcing Our Two Newest Projects

Follow along as we partner with two new families and help them BUILD and BUY their own homes.  Read all about our 2020-2021 partnerships in the news!  Now, more than ever, families need a safe place to call home!

Watauga Democrat 

High Country Press

Cars for Homes

Did you know you can support safe and affordable housing AND make every day Earth Day?

If you have an older car, truck, van, trailer, RV or boat that you no longer need, consider donating it to support affordable housing in the Watauga County area. Car donations to Watauga County Habitat for Humanity support the local and global mission of providing safe and affordable housing and save you the time and energy of finding a buyer. By donating a car to our vehicle donation program, you can help volunteers in our area build houses in partnership with families in need of a hand up, not a hand out.

It is quick and easy to donate a vehicle whether it runs or not! Plus, you may be eligible for a tax deduction (consult your tax advisor or the IRS for details).

To donate a car, truck, boat or RV to Habitat’s official car donation program, call 877-277-4344 toll free or start the process here. It’s a convenient way to support us locally and create more space in your driveway!

Thanks, Kristina, for welcoming us into your home!

Check out this great video!

Thanks Flightless Bird Photography for creating this awesome video of Kristina's home!  We are sorry that COVID-19 has kept us from gathering and celebrating together but we all know that COVID-19 can't stop great things from still happening.  Your Habitat home is beautiful, Kristina.  Congratulations on becoming a homeowner.  Thank you for sharing this "sneak peak" with us!  We offer you many virtual blessings.

Our Final 2020 Kahuna Totals

Congratulations to Three Kahunas and a Guy!!- Jenny Miller, Jane Meyers, Susan Devine and John Dean

To be perfectly honest, on March 15, 2020 we were not so sure we could do this,..but our community has come through in a big way!  This was our 6th Annual Big Kahuna Campaign and this was a year like no other.  Thank you to all of those Kahuna participants who worked SO HARD fundraising on our behalf.  You never gave up because you understand that safe and affordable housing is a solution.
Read the details in this week's Watauga Democrat!  Donations have continued coming in since The Crowning of the Big Kahuna on Wednesday evening.  Our GRAND TOTAL is $28645!  We think that is a pretty lucky number because it happens to remind us of Caldwell County Habitat for Humanity (Lenoir, NC 28645)-ROCK STARS in the Habitat Community! There are some pretty awesome people from Lenoir, NC! (isn't that right Jenny Miller and Ella Jennings?)

If you missed the Crowning of the Big Kahuna at Appalachian Mountain Brewery you can catch the action by following this link.  Sit back and enjoy the show!

Here is a photo of the winning team taken before social distancing:

Jenny Miller, Susan Devine, Jane Meyers and John Dean (front)

And here is a photo of Three Kahunas and a Guy Team Captain, Jenny Miller with Wonder Women in Leadership Team Captain, Ella Jennings 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

JUNE 2020 Habitat Happenings

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