Donor Spotlight

Volunteer of the Month (June 2010): Maria Lewis-Natter

In her quest to volunteer, Maria Lewis-Natter came to Habitat Orlando in 2009. Maria is from a rural county in southwest England and enjoys traveling. While she and her husband lived in Japan for four years, she inquired about volunteering at a Habitat affiliate there; however, the volunteer program in Japan has a large waiting list and she was not able to get involved. When Maria and her husband came back to the United States, she was soon able to plug herself in to Habitat Orlando’s Volunteer Program.

Maria has served as a construction site crew leader at Habitat Orlando and has been involved in the building of the Stag Horn Villas. Her responsibilities as a crew leader are to facilitate the construction process at a particular site by guiding and instructing volunteers and homeowners. She has built alongside Habitat crew members for the past year and has said she “thoroughly enjoys any sort of handy-work and building projects.” Maria also said “working with the homeowners and hearing their aspirations is very rewarding…even more, building a home and knowing that it is going to make someone else’s life better is the best part about volunteering for Habitat.” In a normal week, Maria works on the construction sites every Wednesday; however, since she is seven months pregnant, she now works in the Habitat Orlando office helping with any clerical work. 

We appreciate all of our volunteers whether they are able to volunteer weekly or monthly; our special thanks go to Maria and for her dedication throughout the past year and into her pregnancy. Thank you Maria! 

If you would like to get involved in our volunteer program, please contact Jennifer at 407-648-4567 ext 407.

Weekday Warrior John Hall

For John Hall, volunteering is more than just giving time and energy; rather, it is an opportunity to adopt a lifestyle that not only improves the lives of others but also enhances his own life. 

John Hall is was the volunteer of the month in May 2010. He is a retired engineer and has volunteered with Habitat Orlando since 2001. John comes into the Habitat Orlando warehouse four days a week to prepare and build the exterior walls for homes and townhomes. He works with David Meyer, our warehouse manager, along with other retired volunteers. John grew up in Miami and moved to Orlando to work for a local pipeline company. He has been married for 48 years and has three children, of whom he is very proud. When asked why he continues to come to Habitat Orlando weekly he said, “It gives me a feeling of camaraderie and accomplishment while also helping someone else; helping a family is the icing on the cake.” John speaks at our monthly HabiTour and gives of himself in whatever ways he can. 

John Hall, among all of our volunteers, is the heartbeat of Habitat Orlando and we are very fortunate to have him. Thank you John for your dedication!

Want to start volunteering for Habitat Orlando? Simply click Volunteer Now in the top left column to register as a volunteer and view available days on our job site and in our ReStore. You can also contact Jennifer Gallagher our Volunteer Manager at 407-648-4567 ext. 407 or email her at jgallagher@habitat-orlando.org. 

Local Companies Support Habitat Through Employee Giving

Special Thanks to Siemens Power Inc, & Wyndham Vacation Ownership!

Earth Day 2010, Siemens Power Inc. made a generous contribution to Habitat Orlando by asking their employees to each donate $5 Habitat Orlando. Through employee’s individual donations, the company raised over $4,000 for Habitat homes and families. With a giving heart and a concern for our community’s environment, the employees of Siemens have touched the lives of our Habitat families. Siemens Energy is a long standing partner with Habitat for Humanity and is an Energy Efficient Partner in Stag Horn Villas.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership is a branch of Wyndham Worldwide and is headquartered out of Orlando, Florida. They are the world’s leading developer of diversified and flexible vacation ownership products. Wyndham Vacation Ownership ranks in the Orlando Sentinel’s “Top 100 Companies for Working Families” as number ten. Through an internal fundraising campaign, the company raised over $3,000 in a few days to support Habitat for Humanity International's Chili Earthquake Releif efforts. Several $20-$30 contributions really added up fast and have made Wyndham Vacation Ownership a valued partner in our efforts to rebuild and restore a broken community.
 
Thank you for all of your support and contributions!
 
If you or your company would like to get involved in a third party event or an internal employee giving campaign, please contact Courtney at 407-648-4567 ext 410 or send her an email at cpatchin@habitat-orlando.org.

Southern Company's 4th Annual Golf Tournament

A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and is a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. On April 23rd the local Southern Company team hosted their fourth annual golf tournament benefitting Habitat for Humanity Orlando. This year's tournament was held at the North Shores Golf Club and raised $14,000 making their four year total raised from these tournaments almost $40,000!

Sincere THANKS to our friends at Southern Company!

Billboard Connection Donates Banner to Habitat Orlando

Billboard Connection recently donated a banner to Habitat Orlando to use at the upcoming Orlando Women Build Week, scheduled for May 3-9, 2010. Community involvement is an important aspect of Billboard Connection. Habitat Orlando is blessed to have generous friends like them in our community. To learn more about ways your organization can support our affiliate check out our wish list or call 407-648-4567-410.To learn more about the Orlando Women Build Week click here.

Terry Eckert & Courtney Patchin (Habitat Staff)  with Ken Kueker (Billboard Connection) display the banner recently donated.

HD Supply and the Orlando Magic Sponsor 4 Habitat Orlando Homes Through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program

While times are tough for most businesses, there are programs in place to encourage Florida organizations to engage in charitable giving. One such program is the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP). Locally, HD Supply and the Orlando Magic have committed to sponsor three homes with Habitat for Humanity Orlando using the CCTCP.

HD Supply’s contribution will sponsor two homes at Stag Horn Villas. The Orlando Magic will fund one home. The CCTCP allows qualified organizations to pay the construction costs of a Habitat home and dedicate volunteer hours to the build; the organization or business can then submit a request to receive the amount of their donation returned in the form of a tax credit or refund.

Both HD Supply and Orlando Magic employees have also committed to volunteering on the Stag Horn construction site – working alongside the families who will benefit from the funding. These contributions will help underwrite construction expenses for the fifth building at Stag Horn Villas. The 58-unit townhome community is Habitat for Humanity Orlando’s most ambitious and first multifamily development to date. So far, 16 families have moved into Stag Horn Villas; the project is slated for completion in spring 2012.

Exit Realty Corp. International Donates $100,000

Realtors from EXIT Real Estate Results, a franchise of EXIT Realty Corp. International, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Orlando to help construct a Stag Horn Villas townhome building during the month of January, 2010. More than 40 local employees helped during the build, complementing the $100,000 home sponsorship donation from EXIT Realty Corp. International.

“Both Habitat for Humanity and EXIT Realty share a common focus: putting families in homes,” said Janice Petteway, local franchise owner of EXIT Real Estate Results. “Habitat goes above and beyond to make sure their families are successful. Through educational classes, they teach homebuyers how to be responsible homeowners. It’s a wonderful organization.”

EXIT Real Estate Results realtors will contribute to Stag Horn Villas’ fourth building. Stag Horn Villas is Habitat Orlando’s most ambitious homebuilding effort to date. The $8 million, 58-townhome community is slated for completion in 2012. In addition, each unit adheres to energy-efficient regulations to earn an Energy Star rating.

“We are blessed to receive support – both in volunteers and the home sponsorship – from EXIT Realty Corp. and the local franchise, EXIT Real Estate Results,” said Dee Danmeyer, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Orlando. “Their home sponsorshipallows us to continue our mission of building homes for hardworking Central Florida families.”

Annunciation Catholic Church Sponsors the Darling Family

The Annunciation Catholic Church has recently partnered with Habitat Orlando to rehabilitate a foreclosed home for the Darling Family. Not only are they covering the new construction costs and volunteering on site but they are also  obaining in-kind donations from several local organizations to help lower overal costs.

Flooring HQ donated the flooring for the home, Milcarsky's Appliance Centre' and Classic Dental donated the appliances, RKL Painting donated the interior and exterior paint, J&J Security donated the instalation services for a security system, and Athen's Cafe donated food for the hungry parisheners as they worked tirelessly on the Darling home. Several individual donors make financial committments as well including Mr. & Mrs. Joe Moreland.

THANK YOU to everyone that helped make this possible.

UCF Knights Building Hope

For years, an array of student-led groups, clubs and organizations at the University of Central Florida have partnered with Habitat for Humanity Orlando to help build homes for local families. But, beginning this semester, their efforts will be consolidated under the same roof – thanks to UCF’s very own Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter.

The new chapter was founded by students Conrad Kahn, Marc Garreau, Jason Lewis and Samuel Boundy, who decided to form the group last year, after they participated in Habitat for Humanity’s “Collegiate Challenge.” The four of them spent their Spring Break building homes in six states – along with 80-plus students from across the country – all of whom contributed long hours of manual labor during a time when many of their peers were relaxing on the beach.

“The new UCF Habitat chapter will not only increase awareness of the need for affordable housing, but also help educate Central Florida on what Habitat Orlando is doing to help local families achieve the American Dream of home ownership,” said Dee Danmeyer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Orlando. “We’re excited about working with university students both now and in the future as they become Habitat leaders, supporters and board members.”

Orlando Community Embraces the Olivieri Family

Damian Olivieri and his wife Luz have 8 children. Their family had a long history of residential instability before Habitat, moving over 13 times in the last 10 years. With the help of several local sponsors the Olivieri family is now living in the first home they are proud to call their own. Not only is this the first home they have owned but it was the largest Habitat Orlando has ever build with 6 bedrooms to accomidate the entire large family.

Charles Schwab Foundation, First United Methodist Church Of Orlando, Hardin Construction Company, LLC, James E. Jardon II, Jardon and Howard Technologies, Inc, Kevin Morris, Orlando Decorative Concrete, Inc., Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc., Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Wells Fargo Foundation and Samantha Zaino all contributed finacial gifts that make the construction of the Olivieri home possible.

Marilyn Jusino accepting the kiys to her families new home at their home dedication ceremony.

Habitat Benefits from Event at Tradewinds

A party for 150 invited guests at Tradewinds, the 2008 Builders Magazine Show Home in Baldwin Park, yielded $12,175 for Habitat for Humanity Orlando. The party was sponsored by Baldwin Park Development Company and Charles Clayton Construction, each of which pledged an amount sufficient to supply lumber for one Habitat home.

Guests had the opportunity to make contributions in varying amounts to cover the costs of building materials - a box of nails ($25), a front door ($150), windows for a home ($1,100). The Tradewinds house, located on Lake Susannah near the Baldwin Park Village Center is offered for sale at $5,244,000.

back row –Stewart Dary - OUC, Paul Pistulka – Charles Clayton Construction, Greg Allen – Habitat staff, Charlie Clayton – Charles Clayton Construction, front row - Habitat staff - Dave Meyer, Jennifer Gallagher, Liz Alicea-Madera, Dee Danmeyer, Lynn Ivanek, Terry Eckert

Cypress Creek High School Hosts Talent Show to support Habitat

On February 8, 2008, The Active Service Club of Cypress Creek High School raised $2,500 for Habitat Orlando at the third annual  Bear Rock Live! Talent Show. Acts ranging from a mystery-juggling guest to raging rock bands to tantalizing Polynesian dancing adorned the Cypress Creek High School Performing Arts Center. 

Students Kristin Mollan, Harold Hamann, Brian Rochet and Nicole Curren organized the event, with the support of Mr. Jeff Oswald, Active Service Club sponsor.  The students next goal is to raise $100,000 to sponsor a home in Staghorn Villas, Habitat Orlando's first townhome community scheduled to break ground this summer. Below is a photo of the check presentation at the school, with Lynn Ivanek, Habitat Orlando's Development Director.

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