Settlement
It's settled for Michelle Walker and her daughter! What a way to start off 2016! Here is a pic of Michelle receiving her keys from Habitat Board Members, Mary Ann Leager and Kathy Goodman. Everyone wants to wish Michelle and her daughter the best of luck in their new home! Congratulations, ladies!
Thank You
Students from Delmarva Christian High set aside the first two weeks in January each year to do some type of service project. Several groups have chosen to work with us at Habitat again this year. 

The first group worked at the school building sheds.  A second group served  at Restore, our Ellendale build site and helped with some minor repairs. The final  group also served at ReStore and worked on our Race Street renovation project.

All the students did a great job. They did their school and their parents proud! Thanks to all who served with #JTerm2016. #HabitatRocks!
One of our homeowners sent a tasty treat to the Georgetown office called a Rosca de Reyes (Kings' ring). A King's cake is a bread-like pastry adorned with sugar and is traditionally eaten on January 6 (The Feast of the Epiphany). The feast commemorates the visit of the Magi (three kings or three wise men) to the Holy Family where they presented gifts to the infant Jesus. A trinket such as a small toy or representation of the baby Jesus is traditionally hidden inside the bread symbolizing the flight of the Holy Family, fleeing from King Herod's Massacre of the Innocents. Whoever finds the baby Jesus figurine is blessed and is expected in return to be a blessing to others during the new year. Isn't that just the Habitat way? Thank you, Rodriguez Family! You are one of our many blessings! Happy New Year to all!
On December 17, Sussex County Habitat received an anonymous challenge from a generous friend offering to give $5,000 if other donors gave a total of $5,000 before midnight on New Year's Eve, December 31st. In response to the challenge, loyal Sussex Habitat supporters gave $10,373, many on the final day of 2015, bringing the total for the Challenge to $15,373. 

Gifts to the Sussex Habitat annual  appeal, including those in response to the Homes and Hope Holiday Challenge, support family services, home repairs, and new home construction. Every gift, no matter the size, is important and appreciated. Although the Holiday Challenge ended on December 31, Habitat's challenge to eliminate substandard housing in Sussex County continues. Please give generously to support our vital mission to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

To see ways to give, simply click the blue Donate Now button in the right-hand column of this newsletter. Again, thank you for your support.

All of us at Sussex County Habitat for Humanity wish you a safe, healthy, and happy 2016.
Upcoming Events
We have a lot of exciting events coming up in the next few months. We promise to get the details to you in plenty of time, but we don't want anyone to miss out so please save the following dates:

25th Anniversary Celebration - March 12th - Georgetown Cheer 
Wine Tasting - April Date TBD - Bin 66
Auction Night - May 12th - Bethany Blues
Walt Jones Annual Golf Outing - May 13th - Midway Par 3
Spotlight On ... 
Heather Barony
AmeriCorps service member, Heather Barony, currently serves as the Family Services Coordinator with Sussex County Habitat. Born in Waldorf, Maryland, Heather now resides in Lincoln, Delaware with her fiancé, Kyle. She is a Delaware State Alum (Go Hornets!) and holds a BS in Nursing with a Minor in Nutrition.

"My friends and family have molded me into the person I am, without them I would not be as successful as I am today. I'm a very outgoing person and enjoy meeting new faces when traveling or exploring new opportunities. Music is my passion; I'm never  more than an arm's length away from a pair of headphones. I never pass up an opportunity to learn something new and always embrace life with an open mind. I hope that my experience with AmeriCorps will allow me to apply my newly learned skills to future relationships within the community." 

Family Services screens and qualifies applicants, tracks their sweat equity hours, and offers empowering curriculum to potential homeowners. It truly is a partnership from the day they are accepted into the program all the way through to settlement. When asked how she is enjoying the position, Heather answered, "I cannot think of anything more fulfilling than serving families in our community." Great job, Heather! We appreciate your service leadership! 
Items Needed
The Walt Jones Memorial Project line up of events and our 25th Anniversary Celebration present lots of opportunities for volunteers, sponsors, community partners, and donors to get involved. In particular, we are looking for a 25th Anniversary Sponsor. We are also in need of items to auction at both our 25th Anniversary Celebration at the Cheer Center of Georgetown on March 12th and at Auction Night at Bethany Blues on May 12th. Suggestions include; gift certificates for local restaurants, hotels, spas, golf courses, fitness centers, etc. Baskets of Cheer, cheese, fruit, chocolate or other delectable treats are welcome too. Are you an artist or a florist? Can you offer unique goods or services for auction? Would your business like to advertise with us or sponsor one or more of our events? To explore ways to get involved contact Traci deWolfe at 302-855-1153   x209 or ar@sussexcountyhabitat.org. She'll help get you started.
Volunteer Opportunities
Do you know residential construction? 
Can you  volunteer a day or two a month to lead other volunteers on a Habitat site?  We could use your help.  Call our Construction Manager Jeff Niethammer at  302.265.5968  to arrange for a crew leader interview.

Also, we are still accepting bids from plumbers for our current new home construction projects.  Please call Jeff for more information.

Want to give a day of service on a build site? Visit: www.sussexcountyhabitat.org/construction-calendar
Global Village: New Year Traditions in Guatemala
Some Guatemalans choose  to celebrate the new year on January first as we do, while others still find it important to celebrate the new year according to the traditional Mayan calendar because  it was a ritual observed by  their ancestors. Many observe both.

The Mayan calendar  has 360 days that make  up 18 months  consisting of 20 days each. There is an additional 19th month of only  5 days called Wayeb. Some  Mayans refer to these extra days as "nameless days" or  "time out of time." This time is set aside to be  thankful for the fortunes of the previous year and look  forward to the positive energy of the next.  During this period there are fire,  sunrise, sunset, and mid-day ceremonies  that take place around Lake Atitlan.

Of course, Guatemalans celebrate the new year you're used to on January 1st, too! They often celebrate with lively music, colorful costumes, and fireworks. Many wear new clothes on New Year's Day which they hope will bring good luck for the coming year and locals often gather in the center of each town for street parties or parades.
Framing Fragments
Ellendale
604 Gladys Street 
  • DSHA  requested fixes in progress
  • HVAC and shed to be completed by Saturday 1/16
Laurel
Horsey Church Road
  • Meeting with Sussex County Planning this week 
  • We have a tentative layout of property with septic systems

Inspiration

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