December, 2018 Newsletter
There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays
There’s No Place Like Home

I do believe Dorothy Gale was right: “There’s no place like home!” (The Wizard of Oz, 1939) Home offers a safe place to dream big dreams. Home provides the stability to help people achieve their goals. Home makes a difference for each and every person in a family. At home, dreams come true. 

On November 15 th , Waco Habitat for Humanity celebrated Habitat Harvest 2018 and raised over $61,000. Our goal remains to build Harvest House 2019 shortly after the new year. You can still help us build that house!

Between now and the end of the calendar year, we aim to raise another $29,000 which will full cover all hard costs of building a brand new home with one of our amazing partner families. That family will ultimately purchase that home and have an affordable mortgage with Waco Habitat for Humanity.

You may ask, “What can I do?” We at Waco Habitat for Humanity believe everyone can do something. Whether you give of your time, your talent or your
Click on picture to donate
treasure, you can join us and help a hard-working family achieve the dream of safe, decent and affordable housing. This holiday season, please consider a gift to Waco Habitat for Humanity and help us provide strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.  

G iving options include:
  • Make a monetary donation. You can donate in person, mail-in or online.
  • Give toward the Waco Habitat for Humanity Endowment Fund at the Waco Foundation. Waco Habitat established an endowment fund in 2017 and you can give directly to that fund through the Waco Foundation.
  • Reduce your taxes and maximize your IRA Charitable Rollover Provision. The IRA Charitable Rollover Provision allows anyone over 70 ½ years old to donate up to $100,000 from their IRAA directly to a public charity, excluding the direct rollover from taxable income.
  • Donate a car through our Cars for Homes program. I made a donation through this program last year. It is donor-friendly and helps Waco Habitat build homes!

Waco Habitat for Humanity sees a world where everyone has a decent place to live. That vision inspires us to carry out our mission: seeking to put God’s love into action, Waco Habitat brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Indeed, there’s no place like home! As you reflect on this past year and consider how to give back to your community, consider the gift of HOME.

Brenda Shuttlesworth
Executive Director

Elf on a ReStore Shelf
December 7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Elf on the ReStore Shelf: A Waco Habitat Christmas Tradition. Reginald the ReStore Elf explains how Santa Claus knows which ReStore customers are naughty and which ones are nice.
Reginald the Elf on a ReStore Shelf
One of Santa's "scout elves, " Reginald hides in the ReStore to watch over events. He lives there between Thanksgiving and Christmas, making a rare appearance this year on December 7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 p.m. The ReStore will be decorated, and Reginald will bring good cheer to spread throughout the ReStore and the city.

Reginald gets his magic by being loved and re-used, so there's one thing we all can do to help: purchase re-used building materials from the ReStore whenever possible.

During the Elf on a ReStore Shelf celebration, shoppers can save 25% off purchases throughout the ReStore (excluding flooring), and 50% off selected brick.

In addition, whomever finds Reginald during the Elf on a ReStore Shelf event, December 7 only, will receive a coupon for 50% off a single visit ReStore total purchase. The coupon will be good for any visit to the ReStore AFTER December 7, 2018.
Quilt Raffle - - Something new for the Elf

At this year's Elf on a ReStore Shelf party, a unique quilt, handmade by Miss Alice Todd, a.k.a., "The Quilt Lady," will be raffled at the Elf on a Restore Shelf party, Friday December 7, 7:00 p.m. This is a one-of-a-kind Christmas quilt, 39" x 50".

Tickets are on sale now at the ReStore, 1224 Franklin, and the Habitat Administrative Office, 220 N. 11th. Ticket cost is $1.00 each, or 6 tickets for $5.00.

Bring in a copy of this newsletter (printed or electronic) and receive a one-time offer of 2 tickets for $1.00.

Bicycle Raffle - - A Cruiser for Christmas

Raffle tickets for this Electra Bicycle Company "Townie" are on sale at the Habitat ReStore, 1224 Franklin, and the Habitat Administrative Office, 220 N. 11th, until the drawing, Thursday, December 20, 4:00 pm . This bicycle, a $500 retail value, is an ideal "around town" cruiser. Light weight with 7 gears, it is easy to ride, and is adjustable for use by both tall and vertically challenged individuals. The bike comes with swag, including a Bear Mountain hoodie and 3 tee shirts. All proceeds go to Waco Habitat for Humanity.

Tickets for the bicycle are on sale now for $5.00 each, or 5 tickets for $20.00.

Bring in a copy of this newsletter (printed or electronic) and receive a one-time offer of 2 tickets for $5.00.
2018, A Successful Harvest

The stage is taken down, the tables folded and put away, dishes are cleaned, and the auction items delivered. Happy donors at this year's Harvest Celebration contributed about $61,000. Our goal by December 31st is to raise the remaining $29,000 to fully cover all hard costs for the next Harvest House. Pitch in and help build the Harvest House in 2019!
Celebrating Harvest, the Thrivent Table
Auction items: If it isn't here, you don't need it!
About 400 persons gathered on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the Phoenix Ballroom in Waco. Their objective: to raise money to fund construction of a Habitat for Humanity home in Waco next year.

While the primary purpose of Habitat Harvest is to raise money to fund construction of a home next year, new
friends were made, ideas were exchanged, and the sense of a Habitat community grew. Habitat builds homes, for which tangible financial resources are required. Harvest donations make up a substantial part of revenue required to build a Habitat home. Habitat also builds hope, and the sound of smiling voices filling the air at Harvest is the sound of hope being generated and supported.
On the Calendar -- Upcoming Events
Elf on a ReStore Shelf
December 7 (Friday)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
ReStore, 1224 Franklin

Habitat Homeowners' Christmas Party December 11 (Tuesday)
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
220 N. 11 th Street

Christmas Holiday Schedule
All Waco Habitat operations, including the ReStore, will be closed
December 22 - 25
December 29 - January 1
ReSt ART - - A Fine Art Exhibit
(and Texas Big Art Day Event)
Works exhibited will be made using products purchased from the ReStore
Exhibit Opens March 7, 2019 (Tuesday)
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Cultivate 7Twelve - 712 Austin, Waco
Art will be available for purchase at theReStore March 8-31


Watch for the Spring half-off sale
at ReStore, date and time to be announced.

Mission Moment
Kassie Wilganowski, Bookkeeper

Kassie is a very recent addition to Waco Habitat for Humanity. Like many Habitat employees, she feels a calling, as though God has put her here to help others. Kassie had volunteered for a Habitat build while working at another job and became infected with "Habititus," the incurable desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

"I have a big heart ," she says, and a ll of us who work with Kassie agree with her characterization. " I think I'm here to make sure people I come in contact with know there is always help out there. "

Kassie is married and has a 4-year-old daughter. Other family members include a husband, five dogs and two cats. She is a very welcome addition to the Waco Habitat family.
Kassie Wilganowski, Bookkeeper
Waco Habitat for Humanity
Administrative Office -- 220 N. 11th St., Waco, TX 76701 Phone: 254-756-7575
ReStore -- 1224 Franklin, Waco, TX Phone 254-756-0131