CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KEVIN GILMORE
Kevin with SCHFH Staff and AmeriCorps

It is said that at Christmas all roads lead home. Thanks to your support over the past 25 years, we have helped provide 115 Sussex County families purchase homes, for Christmas and all year round.

In a few days, the SCHFH staff with take a brief break to celebrate Christmas with family and friends. For those of us here at Habitat who rely on the hard work of volunteers, generosity of supporters, and wise counsel of friends, it is important that we pause briefly during this holiday season to express our deepest gratitude. No matter the number of volunteer hours or the size of gifts, your contributions gave deserving families the opportunity to build strength stability and self-reliance through decent housing. Behind each Habitat homeowner and repair partner is the strength of all who support Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, including you.

In that spirit, I wish to offer a most sincere thank you from all of us at the Sussex Habitat affiliate.  Your support strengthens all that we do in home construction and repairs, family services, ReStore sales, and community relations. We enter 2017, understanding the challenges of substandard housing, the opportunity the Habitat solution offers, and the impact of your generosity.

The Sussex County Habitat staff joins me in wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

With warmest regards,

Kevin J. Gilmore
Executive Director

Simeon, Josefina, and their daughter

NEW HOME DEDICATION AND SETTLEMENT

This will be the first Christmas in their new home in Ellendale for
Simeon, Josefina, and their two young children. Just over a week before Christmas the family celebrated the dedication of their new home. 
 
Pastor Paulino Salas of Iglesia Evangelica Biblica Alfa y Omega led the group in a prayer. SCHFH Executive Director Kevin Gilmore dedicated the property in both Spanish and English with the help of a few staff, AmeriCorps members and construction "Regulars". 

The next day after the dedication, on December 15th, the family closed on the house and received their keys. 

Susan (in pink) with Habitat Staff and AmeriCorps
SUSSEX COUNTY HABITAT PARTNERS WITH BERACAH HOMES

Most SCHFH homes are built on land that is new to the partner family. This is not the path for Susan's new home in Lincoln.

On Wednesday, December 7, Executive Director Kevin Gilmore led a blessing for Susan, currently living in a home that is over 100 years old. The new home will be placed on the property in partnership with Beracah Homes.   

Volunteer Voices

DOVER AIR FORCE HVAC TEAM BUILDS ONCE AGAIN
HVAC Team
Volunteers working with Habitat embrace the experience. Volunteering may first appear to be a one way street of giving, but volunteers often find this is not the case. The Dover Air Force HVAC team truly embraced the idea of volunteering, finding joy in helping others.

Early in November, a group of airmen drove 45 minutes from the base to volunteer at a build site in Ellendale. The group had been looking for a volunteer experience that would be hands-on and facilitate team building. They found what they were looking for with Sussex County Habitat.

On that day in November, the team embraced the Habitat way, building alongside partner families and playing football with their children. Just 48 hours later volunteering, the team leader contacted SCHFH Volunteer Programs Coordinator Barbara Ward stating they wanted to come back.
Installing Floor Joists

On December 3rd, the team was back in Ellendale, working on the same house. The team wanted to see how much progress they could make on the house. They finished the installation of blue board, and also made their mark on the home being built next door by helping to install floor joists.

This time one of the men brought his wife to share the experience. Near the end of the day,  AmeriCorps Site Volunteer Coordinator Sara Clendaniel learned that three of the volunteer airmen were preparing to deploy overseas.
Husband and Wife

In fact, the man whose wife came along was one of those deploying. As a couple, they opted to spend their last weekend together building homes.

As the holidays draw near, it is important to take the time to acknowledge all those who serve. The men of the Dover Air Force HVAC team truly are an inspiration, volunteering to serve their county and their community.

Once again, the airmen contacted SCHFH, making plans for another build day. 
REGISTER NOW!
Women Build 2017 will kick off with a How-To Clinic and build day on Saturday, January 21, 2017. Be sure to save the date and don't miss this exciting activity.

Who:  The clinic is designed for current Habitat homeowners, partner families, and construction volunteers with an emphasis on Women Build volunteers. Men and Women are welcome to attend this Women Empowering Event.

What:  How-To Clinic followed by an afternoon build to apply the  learned
 skills. Participants will learn installation of vinyl-plank flooring and how to install and repair outdoor siding.

When:  Saturday, January 21:  
 
How-To Clinic from 9:00-11:00 am; Hands-on building from   11:00-3:00 pm

Where: Ingram Village build sites, South Lee Avenue in  Ellendale

How: Led by  SCHFH  Construction Manager, site supervisors, and construction Americorps

For more information contact Volunteer Programs Coordinator: Barbara Ward 302-855-1153 ext. 211 , barbara@sussexcountyhabitat.org 
A SECRET SANTA SURPRISES AMERICORPS MEMBERS


The AmeriCorps Construction team would like to say thank you to a very special, secret Santa. Thanks to the generous gifts of gift cards and tools, the construction team will be better equipped this coming season. 
SCHFH CHRISTMAS PARTY
A big thank yo u goes out to Office Manager, Cindy Heil. On December 16th Cindy organized a Christmas party for SCHFH staff and AmeriCorps. SCHFH Board President, Kathy Goodman joined in on the festivities.

Cindy said, "It was a successful event. I greatly enjoyed working with the ReStore staff and AmeriCorps."

With the help of her elves, Cindy had the staff compete in games including, gift stacking, and the human Christmas tree. The day was full of laughter, good food, and holiday joy.  
 
The Repair Report
Take a look at the Repair Programs most recent work. Construction site
Caitie , AmeriCorps Member, laying down new vinyl plank flooring
supervisor,  Mike , lead a group of two volunteers and two AmeriCorp service members last week on a repair in Bridgeville. They worked together on installing a new storm door and putting new flooring down for a happy homeowner. 

Site Supervisor,
Mike, and homeowner,
Evon, posing in front of the newly installed storm door. 
If you are a homeowner in the areas of
Seaford, Laurel, or Southeast Sussex County and would like to see if you qualify for our major or minor repairs programs, please call the Repair Program Coordinator at 3 02-855-1153 x 207  or visit our website at  www.sussexcountyhabitat.org/repairs
 for more information or an application. We'd love to partner with you, too! 
 




ReStore to Open in Lewes, Delaware
 
  On January 28, 2017, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity will open a second ReStore in Lewes, Delaware. The  new ReStore will occupy the 10,000 square foot building formerly hone to Practically Yours Antiques located in Lewes on Route 9,  three miles west of Route 1.

Work continues on the new ReStore. Recently the inside was painted, helping to lighten the space. 

Framing Fragments- Updates on Current Builds
Milton
Collins St.- Lot B
Finalize floor plans

Ellendale
617 South Lee Ave.
Site Clean up, truss delivery, porch beam

619 South Lee Ave.
Continue walls, top plates, front porch, truss delivery
 
 
Inspiration 

To volunteer with Sussex County Habitat 
call 302-855-1153 x208 or 

  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 .

  Questions? Ready to Volunteer?   E-mail us at
In This Issue

Quick Links



Build Calendar




SCHFH is a Proud Member of the AmeriCorps National Service Network


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