March, 2020
Dear Habitat Supporters,
In light of the coronavirus outbreak, we want to take a minute to connect with you directly.

The well-being and safety of our employees, clients, supporters, volunteers, board members, and store customers are our top priority and will be at the heart of every decision we make. We are actively keeping our employees updated on preventative practices and preparedness plans recommended by the CDC.
I ask that if you had intended to support Habitat Macomb, with your time or with a gift, that you consider   making a gift today to our Resiliency Fund  to continue to support our neighbors as our community navigates this difficult situation.
We understand that there are likely to be many questions surrounding this situation. If you need to contact us for any reason, please  visit our website  for more information about specific programs or to reach out to the right staff person.
Office
Starting today, our office will be closed to walk-in traffic with a few staff working from home. Send me an email at  hhicks@macombhabitat.org  if there is anything you need to know or any arrangement you would like to make. Our office will remain closed until the end of March.
Construction
Habitat for Humanity practices a culture of safety on all of our construction sites. Typically, our focus is on preventing construction-related injuries; however, with the spread of COVID-19, we will not be working on any site to protect both volunteers and staff.
Stores
It is our hope to make your experience in the future with the ReStores and all of our Habitat for Humanity interactions as enjoyable and safe as possible.
  • Our stores are shuttered until the end of March or until the government clears us to reopen.
  • Please use your time at home to re-organize. If you have items to donate, move them to the first floor of your home or to the garage and we will pick them up at no charge immediately following our re-open date.
To everyone, we appreciate your desire to help and support our mission—if you are feeling unwell, please stay home, get healthy, and join us when you’re feeling better.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as needed, and we will re-open our office as soon as it is safe to do so.
Thank you for your continued support of our mission. Stay safe. And help us in any way you see fit during the next few weeks.
God bless you.
In partnership,
Helen Hicks
President and CEO
586-263-1540 x101
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Faith & Volunteer Relations
Construction and Volunteer Activities Suspended
In the face of the Covid-19 challenge, we are suspending all construction and volunteer activities (including ReStore help) until after Easter, April 12 th . We will be posting updates as they are made on our Volunteer Calendar , at macombhabitat.org, so check back to see what will be happening. While on-site efforts tend to be small group activities, in line with requests for “social distancing” and limiting exposure for others, we do not want to risk exposure for our staff and volunteers presently.
Progress on the Faith Build
Floor deck installation.
Volunteers putting up walls of the house.
Walls being loaded onto flatbed truck for move to work site.
With the crawl space in place, progress has begun on the Faith Build. The floor deck was installed two weeks ago. This past weekend a robust team of volunteers helped move the walls constructed last year from a lot in SCSD to the site in Roseville and got the back wall and two supporting side walls up. Many thanks to Kent Marshall and Pahoa Express for providing the flatbed truck for the move, and to Bethel Lutheran, SCS, for the use of their overflow parking lot, and the volunteer push for the move. Still looking for partners – Gifts in kind are a great way for us to reduce the out of pocket expense for a home build. We are still looking for partners in electrical, plumbing, concrete flatwork , and other suppliers to lend a hand. Contact Dave Tirsell at dtirsell@macombhabitat.org if you want to help or have a good lead on businesses or trades who might want to help.
Faith Build Fundraising
Thrivent Financial benefit members accrue “Thrivent Choice” dollars based on insurance premiums, contract values and Thrivent volunteer leadership, which can be directed to churches, schools and other nonprofits of the donor's choice -- including Macomb County Habitat!
Eligible Thrivent Financial members who have available Choice Dollars® have until  March 31, 2020 , to direct them (otherwise, Thrivent decides where they go). Take a few minutes now so your donation can help families in 2020. Don’t miss this opportunity to recommend that Thrivent Financial provide outreach funding to Macomb County Habitat for Humanity. Call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt. Every little bit helps! 78 cents of every $1 raised goes directly to our programming as we help families in need of a hand up!
Ongoing Campaigns
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 for our ReStores.
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 here!
What are Community Rewards?
Kroger Community Rewards makes fund-raising easy by donating to local organizations based on the shopping you do everyday. Once you link your card to an organization, all you have to do is shop at Kroger and swipe your Plus Card!
Upcoming Events
Women's Luncheon Postponed
The Women’s Luncheon Presented by Consumers Energy has been rescheduled to Wednesday May 27 th . The CDC recommends organizers cancel or postpone events with 50 people or more for 8 weeks.

We hope you can join us on May 27 th !

This high-profile event highlights the journey of two influential women in our community who showed courage while rising to the top of their careers.
Rhonda Powell, CEO of O’Neal-Powell & Associates, and Janet Lawson Author and Non-Profit Strategist, The Shephard Group are our guest speakers.
This uplifting event is insightful and motivational.

There is no cost to attend, however this is a pledge event!

If you are interested in attending this event please contact
Spring Cleaning? Had more time at home than you planned?
Consider setting aside your gently used items to donate to our ReStores!
Household goods, tools, furniture, appliances less than ten years old, building supplies, garden supplies, those DIY kits you bought but never used, and much more. Our website can give you more details. Please call 586-263-1540 to be added to the list for pickup once we return to normal operations.
All items must be on the first floor,
and preferably in the garage.
Help our affiliate keep operating in these challenging times!