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Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Awards
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| Governor Markell with St. Philip's Hospitality Team |
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Each year nominations for the Delaware Outstanding Volunteer Awards pour into the Governor's office. Sussex County Habitat is proud to announce that this year not one, but two of our nominees were recognized by Governor Markell on October 19 at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. Executive Director, Kevin Gilmore, nominated both the Salvation Army Sparkle Team and the St. Philip's Hospitality Team for this special honor.
Under the direction of Rebecca Madden and Christy Cugno, Salvation Army Employment Training Specialists with the Developmental Disabilities Program, The Sparkles are a six member team affected by developmental challenges. They are called upon by Sussex County Habitat to ready newly constructed Habitat for Humanity homes by cleaning them for their new homeowners. Before the homes are occupied, the team scrubs floors, vacuums carpets, wipes down cupboards, and cleans bathrooms and kitchens
to ensure the home literally sparkles. The team shops for their own supplies, puts their hearts into their work, and takes great pride in the final results. In 2015, they prepared 12 homes for a total of over 400 service hours. Team members include: Sarah Bosco, Joe Fletcher, Todd Meyer, Reggie Miller, William Posey, and Christina Stover.
St. Philip's Episcopal Church's Hospitality Team, under the direction of Reverend Doctor Howard Backus and Cheryl Martin, regularly hosts out of town volunteer groups serving with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. The Hospitality Team readies their church in Laurel to welcome, shelter, and feed our church, college, and high school youth groups and adult chaperones, who have come to help us build and repair homes in Sussex County. They take great pride in providing our volunteers (who give up their spring breaks, summer vacations, or long-weekends) with clean accommodations, hot and cold beverages, and delicious meals, allowing the groups to concentrate on building and repairing homes. In 2015, the team gave over 2,000 service hours caring for Habitat volunteers. Team members include; Laurie Anderson, Margaret Anderson, Sue Ann Backus, Jeff Dolby, Wendy Dolby, Jane Givens, Alan Schweitzer, Jennifer Schweitzer, Judy Sheridan, Nancy Shlickler, Eleanor Stump, Geraldine Taylor, and Barbara Wise.
Congratulations and thank you to all the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Honorees!
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| Governor Markell with Salvation Army's Sparkle Team |
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Congratulations to Jose and Rebecca!
  We recently dedicated their new Habitat home in Delmar! Many Habitat staff members, AmeriCorps service members, our "regular" volunteers, and friends and volunteers from our loyal partner, Johnny Janosik World of Furniture, were there to celebrate. Jose and Rebecca received a ceremonial gold key, a homeowner's prayer, and Bible as is Habitat tradition.
Rev Dr Howard Backus, Rector of St. Phillip's Episcopal Church in Laurel and former Habitat for Humanity Board Member, led the blessing and the traditional laying on of hands.
We wish Rebecca and Jose and their children
many years of health and happiness in their
new home. |
| Breaking News: Second ReStore Location Coming Soon |
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Sussex County Habitat for Humanity's Executive Director,
Kevin Gilmore, recently announced a second ReStore location will open in Lewes in January 2017. The ReStore will occupy the 10,000-square-foot building formerly known as Practically Yours Antiques on Route 9, three miles west of Route 1 in Lewes.
The Habitat ReStore sells donated, reusable, low-cost building materials and household goods. "Our donors have the greatest impact on sales and profits," said Gilmore. "Currently, most of our donations come from Lewes, Rehoboth, and other beach communities. Finding a location closer to these communities made sense."
The existing Georgetown ReStore, located on Depot Street, will continue to serve donors and customers from throughout Sussex County. ReStore Manager,
Mark Quigley, added, "Together, the Lewes and Georgetown ReStore sites will be more convenient and accessible for all of our donors, shoppers, and volunteers."
Sales proceeds support Habitat's mission to eliminate substandard housing by building, rehabilitating, and repairing homes for families in need. Now celebrating its 25th year, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity helps families build strength, stability, and self-reliance by selling them affordable homes via a not-for-profit 30-year mortgage. For more information, visit:
www.sussexcountyhabitat.org.
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State Line Building Supply volunteers came out to build with us once again! They worked on a new home in Delmar! They did a great job and we know they will be back again soon. State Line of Selbyville carries commercial and residential building supplies. If you live in the area please stop in and thank them for supporting Habitat.
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This group of volunteers
from
the
St Pius X Church in
Bowie, MD
helped with the finishing work on a home that we recently dedicated in Delmar. Thanks for coming out again! We'll see you soon!
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| AmeriCorps Delaware Takes the Pledge |
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Each year, AmeriCorps Service Members across the nation pledge to "Gets Things Done for America" by serving others during their service term
and beyond.
This year's AmeriCorps Delaware Class of 2016-17 was sworn in at a ceremony held in Legislative Hall in Dover. During the ceremony, Governor Jack Markell and Charles A. Harris, AmeriCorps Director from the State Office of Volunteerism, addressed the importance of volunteerism in the First State. Each emphasized the impact AmeriCorps members make here in Delaware by serving with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Teach for America, Reading Assist, Veteran's Corps, and Delaware State Parks. Members may also be called upon to leave their "regular" duties at any time to serve in a disaster relief situation.
AmeriCorps Delaware service members often serve at local Code Purple and/or at homeless and evacuation shelters as needed.
The Sussex County Habitat AmeriCorps service members celebrated after the ceremony by taking a family portrait on the steps of Legislative Hall and then enjoying lunch together a nearby restaurant. Programs Manager,
Nancy Greene, said, "You've taken the pledge, now let's take the plunge and get things done!"
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| Upcoming Volunteer Opportunites |
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AmeriCorps service members and Habitat volunteers recently completed a minor home repair in Millsboro. Thank you to; (L to R) Brittni, Brian, Mike, Audrey, Sara, and Pat.
#DidYouKnow that Sussex County Habitat does home repairs? If you are a homeowner in Sussex County and would like
to see if you qualify for our major or minor repairs programs, please
call the Repair Program Coordinator at
302-855-1153 x207
or visit:
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Cindy Heil, our new
Office Manager,
joined SCHFH in August of 2016. A graduate of Loyola University in Maryland, she has spent nearly her entire career as an accountant for non-profit organizations including; The Baltimore Museum of Art, The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, and Stevenson University. A life-long Maryland native, she now resides in Lewes, with her wife, Kristyn and their three dogs.
"I enjoy working at organizations that make a difference in other's lives, so I am thrilled to join the staff of SCHFH and help further their mission."
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| Habitat Career Opportunities |
Would you or someone you know be a great addition to the Habitat team? Applications are now being accepted for the positions of
Construction Site Supervisor and
Family Services Manager
with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. See the job descriptions for more details:
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To volunteer with Sussex County Habitat call:
We welcome
all
- individuals and groups - to build with us at anytime: This is what our founder, Millard Fuller, called the Theology of the Hammer.
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SCHFH is a Proud Member of the AmeriCorps National Service Network
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