Habitat Headlines
September 2019
President’s Blog
Never Assume

The interesting thing about Habitat is that it is such a recognized charity and is so closely associated with a famous President, that people falsely assume many things about it.

I’d like to dispel or clarify those assumptions:

  • People assume that President Jimmy Carter started Habitat for Humanity. This is false.
Millard and Linda Fuller developed the concept of “partnership housing.” The concept centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side-by-side with volunteers to build decent, affordable housing. In 1976, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter started building with Habitat in Georgia. This created much press and the Carters have continued to volunteer since.

...to read more, click the link below.
Upcoming Events
A Race, A Dance & A Tournament to Benefit Macomb Habitat in September
Macomb Habitat 0.5k Race for Shelter Set for September 14th
Want to finally be recognized for running to get to the mailbox or going all the way inside the store for snacks? Now, there's a race especially for you. Not all of us can run a marathon, or even a 5k in our lifetime.

Macomb County Habitat is holding their first annual 0.5K (that's not a typo) “Race for Shelter” to raise money for affordable housing on Sat., Sept. 14th. They're calling it "The race for all of us.”, with the challenging 546 yard course only taking about 10 minutes to complete.

The "run" will give participants a lot of incentives to finish the race. The host, Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. in Clinton Twp., is preparing a congratulatory pint of beer upon completion. But, the fun doesn't stop there for these hardworking athletes. Not only does their $25 entry fee get them a T-shirt, but a nice glossy sticker to show everyone how dedicated they were to finishing the race, plus a medal to wear.

Did we mention a hydration and donut station to boost some energy half-way through the race? It is a 0.3 miles (546 yards) run after all. They're going to need all the energy they can get. And a Medical Station to look after any injuries that may occur.

However, if running is just too much to handle, the VIP option for the race is to just donate double the amount to a great cause. No running necessary. These guests will be provided with a shuttle cart, some beer, and even a bigger medal to make those silly runners jealous. 

Families are welcome for a donation of $60. Youth size t-shirts and soft drinks for those underage mean all can be part of the fun. Prizes are planned for the best costumes, too!

Can’t make it to Kuhnhenn’s on the 14 th for a 11:03 am start? There is an option to sign on as a virtual runner, to get the t-shirt, medal and sticker mailed to you in the comfort of your own home as you support those striving to have an affordable home for their family through Macomb County Habitat. 

Register at Eventbright or go to macombhabitat.org and click “Events” to register by Sept. 7 th , or until capacity is reached. 
The Swing Shift Orchestra
Metro Detroit’s Premier Live 16-piece Big Band
& Superior Vocalists, Lisa & Geoff Watz
Present Dancing with a Cause

Dance to benefit MACOMB HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Dance to all kinds of great music for all ages!
Dancing partner not necessary!
Meet new people! Have lots of fun!!

Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 - 7-10 pm
Lake Shore Church
27801 Jefferson Ave. (1 block North of 11 Mile Rd.)
St. Clair Shores, MI 48081

Admission Price: $5.00 per person
(additional charge for pop, snacks, raffles)
Tickets available at door.

Everyone invited!

Contact Lynne Henry (586) 498-9263 or (313) 719-0309 for further info.  
QStride, Inc.  Presents:
Inaugural Ocktoberfest Boards & Beers Charity Cornhole Competition

Saturday September 21, 2019 

In partnership with Orleans Sports Café and O’Halloran’s Public House in downtown Mt. Clemens! 

An  outdoor tournament in  Orleans Sports Café parking lot and is for ALL SKILL levels. 

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to  Macomb Habitat for Humanity to support their mission of providing strength, stability, and independence to local families in Macomb County through affordable home ownership. Raising funds to be matched 1:1 by Thrivent Financial for a home build in Saint Clair Shores!

CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT EVENT DETAILS
  • Noon Registration
  • 12:30 Bags Fly 
  • U of M vs Wisconsin football game will be televised on outdoor TV’s
  • $20 person/$40 team
  • 2 complimentary draft beers, provided by O’Halloran’s
  • Light finger foods complimentary of Orleans 
  • Raffles, Door prizes
  • Digital Bracket, Double Elimination Format
  • Bring Your Own Partner
  • You Can Bring Your Own Bags
  • No 2 ACL/ACO Pro's Can Be On The Same Team


OFFICIAL REGISTRATION at this link on EventBrite:
LOOKING FOR AMAZING INSPIRATION?
Join us on November 8, 2019, 6-11 pm as we Raise the Roof
Andiamo Italian Bistro, Warren
Special speaker: “Rudy”

Against all odds on a gridiron in South Bend, Indiana, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger in twenty seven seconds, carved his name into history books as perhaps the most famous graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

The son of an oil refinery worker and third of 14 children, Rudy rose from valleys of discouragement and despair to the pinnacles of success. “Rudy” had a difficult time in school because he was dyslexic. After finishing high school he joined the Navy, worked at a power plant for two years, and then applied to the University of Notre Dame. Due to his marginal grades, it took Rudy four tries to be accepted into Notre Dame. His dream was to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but at 5’6” and 165 lbs. he was undersized and unlikely to play. 

By showing he was willing to work as much as he needed to, Rudy found himself a spot on the scout team—a practice team that helps varsity players prepare for games. 

On his last Notre Dame game, the coach put Rudy on the team as defense. As fans cheered RU-DY, RU-DY, he sacked the quarterback in the last 27 seconds of the only play in the only game of his college football career. He is the only player in the school’s history to be carried off the field on his teammate’s shoulders.

Today, Rudy is one of the most popular motivational speakers in the United States. It took years of fierce determination to overcome obstacles and criticisms, yet Rudy achieved his first dream - to attend Notre Dame and play football for the Fighting Irish. In 1993, TRISTAR Productions immortalized his life story with the blockbuster film, RUDY. 

Andiamo in Warren will host this event, doors open at 5pm for VIPs.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Carol McQueen at
586-263-1540 X 119 or email  cmqueen@macombhabitat.org  for more information.

Don’t miss this event on Friday, November 8, 2019,
6-11 p.m. with dinner, drinks & silent auction.

Get your tickets today or consider a sponsorship.
Tickets: General $100

SAVE THE DATE

Annual Women’s Luncheon
“Women Who Dared”
April 8, 2020
Shelby Gardens, Shelby Township
Ongoing Campaigns
Macomb County Habitat's Home Run Campaign is a match campaign provided through the generosity of Consumers Energy. Every donation will be matched 2:1 for greater impact in our local community. This campaign helps us ensure that everyone in our Macomb County community has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.

Text https://classy.ort/team/224857 to donate.
Cars for Homes
Donate a vehicle to Habitat for Humanity’s car donation program – Cars for Homes. Your generosity will support our work with local families.

  • All proceeds from your vehicle donation will support Habitat for Humanity and help local families here in Macomb County.

  • Your donation may qualify for a tax deduction.

It’s fast and easy. Learn more about how vehicle donations work just click: http://macombhabitat.org/donate/donate-a-car/
Moving? Hosting a Garage Sale? Do you have anything left to donate?
Our ReStores are in need of your donations! Our inventory is in need of the following items: bedroom sets, gently used appliances, power tools, lawn & garden items, patio sets, gardening tools, lawn mowers, windows, bicycles, and home interiors (plates, cups, knick knacks, house plants, picture frames, decor, etc.). As a reminder we are always looking for slightly used donations in good condition that are located on the first floor or the garage of your home.   We provide  FREE  pick up in Macomb County and you will be provided with an itemized tax donation receipt!  Click here  to view a full list of items we can accept!
Donation Hotline: (586) 263-1540
We offer FREE pick up for Macomb County residents! Or drop off your donation at one of our convenient Macomb County locations.

Two ReStore locations:
46660 Van Dyke, Shelby Township
23211 Van Dyke, Warren

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Follow the ReStores on social media:
Here are a few reminders!
We are particularly interested in Patio and Garden furniture, outdoor tools and housewares such as dishes, silverware, and glasses. We are currently not able to accept desks, entertainment centers nor dishwashers. See our web site for a complete listing of items we cannot accept. 
Wish List
At Macomb County Habitat for Humanity, we are always accepting donations! Here are the top 5 items on our Wish List:
  1. Box truck in working condition - for our Cap department
  2. Qualified applicants to apply for our Homeownership Program
  3. Office and other supplies - tape, paper, file folders, highlighters, hand soap, toilet paper, paper towels, regular & contractor grade garbage bags.
  4. Packing and moving materials for the ReStores (no boxes) -packing tape, moving straps and blankets
  5. Other - Lightweight chain, Heavy duty stretch wrap, a working hi-lo and appliance dollies/straps, appliance straps at our ReStores
Volunteer & Faith Relations
As the two student started homes are placed on basements, many teams will begin work in Clinton Twp. – lots of dates in September and October available. Contact Dave Tirsell at dtirsell@macombhabitat.org for groups or go to the Volunteer tab at macombhabitat.org to sign up as individuals
Limited projects were addressed in August as we awaited permits in St. Clair Shores and house moves in Clinton Township. Three volunteer days at a Bethel Lutheran parking lot in SCS saw the rest of the exterior walls, interior walls and both porch frames completed by teams from Bethel, Fellowship Chapel, Sterling Hts, and Trinity Lutheran, Clinton Twp. When contractors get the crawl space completed, the Faith Build will be able to go up much faster.
A team of 16 from Crestmark Bank made a lot of progress on our rehab at 22802 Saxony in Eastpointe. A second team by GM IT volunteers got most of the remaining work done. Some floor work, the donation of a furnace (can you help?) and Don Refenes should be able to move in this fall. This is a “recycle” home that was previously occupied by a Habitat family, so we must raise our own funds to renovate it.
Funding from BAE Systems has enabled us to help veterans and families with home repairs. The latest was a returning team from GM GPD IT to complete a wooden shed, remove a Rose of Sharon shrub and adjust a porch for a veteran’s widow in Shelby Twp.
Upcoming Opportunities
Saturday, September 14
Windows, ext. doors
Team Size 15

Wednesday, September 18
Wall insulation
Team Size 10

Saturday, September 21
Kitchen/bath tile, attic insulation
Team Size 15

Wednesday, September 25
Prime paint
Team Size 15

Wednesday, October 9
Cabinets, paint
Team Size 15

Saturday, October 12
Trim, paint
Team Size 15
Wednesday, October 16
Interior doors
Team Size 10

Saturday, October 19
Counter tops, other interior
Team Size 15

Saturday, October 26
Interior work
Team Size 15

Saturday, November 9
Shed build, landscape prep
Team Size 20

Wednesday, November 13
Finish details
Team Size 15

Saturday, November 16
Landscaping
Team Size 25