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Habitat News: #GivingTuesday and
50% off ReStore Sale
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| Donate on #GivingTuesday and sponsor the Navarro home |
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Our mission is to put God's love into action through building homes, communities, and hope. We've built over 250 homes in Bryan / College Station, and with your help, we'll continue to impact our community.
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Free Homes? Think Again.
One of the common misunderstandings we see in Habitat is that many people think we give away the homes to needy families. This is not the case, and I'll tell you why I'm grateful for that.
The Habitat program starts with a family being accepted based on need, willingness to partner, and ability to pay. We carefully screen applicants and only families that can afford a modest house payment for 20 or 30 years are selected. The family also starts putting in their hours of "sweat equity" right away. They work in the ReStore and the office. They help build their neighbors' homes. They take homeownership classes in anticipation of having their own home. And eventually, they work on their own home. Keep in mind that they volunteer all these hours after working a full time job.
"So if donors sponsor the cost of the house, why does the family have to pay for it?"
The home sponsors donate to Habitat the bulk of the funds needed to purchase the materials used to build the home. A sponsorship doesn't cover all the materials, nor the Habitat construction staff salaries, nor vehicle expense or builder's insurance. In fact, the house sponsorship only covers about 62% of the true cost to build a new home.
"Where does the rest come from?"
Excellent question, and I'm glad you asked. The mortgage payments received from Habitat homeowners every month first pay for the cost of servicing the mortgage. Recent federal laws have made this a heavily regulated field and we must meet the same high standards as other mortgage lenders. The mortgage payments also help fund the remaining expense in construction and cover some of the other activities Habitat does, like finding the families for the program.
The two conclusions from this are these: Home sponsorship donations are not a one-time gift. In a way, it is like an endowment, in that the funds are spent, but they come back into the program and become part of another house down the line, and then the process repeats. The second and more important point is this. Habitat families work hard to EARN their homes, and the money they PAY for them helps the program to serve even more families. These are two of my favorite aspects of the Habitat program and I am proud to be a part of it.
In partnership,
Andy York, Interim Executive Director
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P
lease mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 1st, also known as #GivingTuesday. This day follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday and is a global day dedicated to giving back. This year, funds raised toward #GivingTuesday will help homes reach full sponsorship. The Navarro family is one such family where we need just $3,000 more to break ground for their new home. Be sure to select #GivingTuesday as yo
ur designation.
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Anastacio and Maria, both from Guanajuato, Mexico, met in 2007 at a ranch party. He asked Maria for a dance, and one year later her father was walking her down the aisle to wed his daughter to Anastacio.
Following their marriage, the couple moved to Bryan and started a family. They have three beautiful children: Luis Angel (6), Leonel (5), and their infant Gael. The two eldest kids love to play at the school's playground during recess, but on the weekends and during the summer, there isn't a safe place for them to play. This, among other things, is why their parents want a new home, especially a Habitat home.
Their present living conditions are cramped and brutal during the summer and winter because they do not have working air conditioning. Moving to a new, spacious Habitat home will alleviate much anxiety and stress this family is currently facing.
Anastacio has worked in construction for the past eight years. Maria is a full-time mother and also works at Sanderson Farms, where she's been since 2008. They both spend their Saturdays at the ReStore (Habitat's retail outlet) performing their sweat equity hours. Maria's mother has provided exceptional support by watching their children when Maria volunteers.
The Navarro family is ecstatic to soon have the keys to their new home, which will mark the beginning of a new life. Maria is very grateful for the opportunity to be in this program and is exceedingly thankful to their sponsors and would like to personally thank them.
Please consider donating to their home sponsorship this #GivingTuesday and helping their dream become a reality. #GivingTuesday follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday and is a global day dedicated to giving back.
Contact Director of Development Carl Orozco at 979.823.7200 ext. 104 or email.
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BCS Habitat for Humanity ReStore will be hosting its first ever HALF OFF SALE! On November 21st, 2015, literally everything in our store and warehouse will be half off!
Come join us in helping the community, bringing home some great deals and supporting your local Habitat ReStore!
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The Tovar family has been such an incredible blessing for BCS Habitat; they have worked tirelessly and have accumulated about 900 sweat equity hours, which is almost twice what we ask families to do. The father Manuel has gone above and beyond helping build other families' homes. The new Tovar residence is 1507 W. 28th Street in Bryan.
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Donor Spotlight
Texas Commercial Waste has been an in-kind donor for years. Their generous help has saved our mission over $250,000. They provide dumpster service and porta-potty service at all Habitat builds and remodels. They also provide dumpster service and metal recycling at ReStore. In addition to their services, they even give Habitat the proceeds from the recycling.
"It's donors like Texas Commercial Waste that are true partners in our mission. Through their in-kind donations, we are able to serve more people and change more lives. Thank you for many years of service to our organization and the Bryan/College Station community." - Andy York, Interim Executive Director
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Service Spotlight
"There is a spirit of giving and caring that makes the ReStore such a unique place. I'm very honored to be a part of it!" exclaims volunteer Marianne Maxwell. Ms. Maxwell has given back to our community in many ways; besides volunteering at our ReStore, she participates in an after-school program that has helped children grow a beautiful garden. "The students just harvested radishes, squash, and collards greens," she describes. Thank you Marianne for your service to BCS!
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Service Spotlight
Ray Montoya
usually volunteers his Saturdays on the construction site, but one Friday he had the opportunity to work alongside future homeowner Ezekiel Nunez. Together, they spent the afternoon on his roof deck, preparing it for the next day. This kind of experience is what encourages Mr. Montoya to continue volunteering. Ray adds, "The Habitat staff makes the time a really enjoyable and fun experience." He believes that each of us has a talent or resource to use in service of others and recommends others to "Come out and be a part of this great ministry!"
Ray and his wife Cindy also volunteer with Brazos Valley Young Life and participate in bible study groups at their church. When not volunteering, Mr. Montoya works at Kent Moore Cabinets and runs 3-4 marathons a year! Thank you Ray for your service!
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Pumpkins for Homes
Habitat's Faith In Action volunteer group held its first pumpkin patch fundraiser last month. We'd like to thank the churches who volunteered throughout the month of October, selling thousands of pumpkins for homes in B/CS. Other groups who volunteered include Aggie Future Physician's Assistant, Psychology Club of Blinn College, College Station High School and Alpha Zeta Chi Sorority. Hillier Funeral Home graciously hosted our Faith In Action pumpkin patch.
Faith In Action includes: A&M United Methodist Church, Bethel Lutheran Church, Christ United Methodist Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, First Christian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Dialogue Institute of the Southwest, Islamic Community of Bryan-College Station, Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Peace Lutheran Church, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Mary's Catholic Center, St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley.
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From the World of Habitat
You may have heard about
how
Clemson University QB Deshaun Watson not only grew up in a Habitat home but is now a Habitat spokesman. Watch this video to hear him describe the benefits of a safe home.
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Did you know you Amazon will donate a portion of the sale to your charity of choice? Please consider donating to Habitat when you shop at
Amazon Smile.
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