Habitat's Annual Family Picnic was a resounding success, bringing together over 130 individuals for a day filled with fun, food, games, and community camaraderie. The annual event is held to celebrate our current and future Habitat homeowners, along with our volunteers and supporters. The event took place at Beardsley Park's Aaron's Way and was a fantastic way to celebrate our community members and supporters.
Attendees enjoyed a delicious array of food, including hot dogs and burgers hot off the grill. A special thanks to Vazzy's for their generous donation of pizza, which was a huge hit with everyone. We also extend our gratitude to Micalizzi's for providing refreshing Italian ice, which was perfect for the warm weather. Children played games, won prizes, and enjoyed the splash pad, adding to the day's excitement.
We were honored to have Mayor Ganim join us, showing his support for Habitat and our mission. His presence was greatly appreciated and added a special touch to the day's festivities. Board Chair George Keith, several Board Members, and the Family Selection Committee were in attendance to greet and celebrate the families. One of the day's highlights was a mortgage burning ceremony. Yes, Georgina and Eduardo Cordero paid off their Habitat home, and we celebrated with a mortgage burning.
We also announced the winners of the National Homeownership 2024 Beautification Contest. We are thrilled to congratulate all our winners:
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First Place: Antonia Lopez
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Second Place: Sandalee Sotomayor and David Nieves
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Third Place: Nidia Conterras and Trino Rascon
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Fourth Place: Michelle Harris
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Fifth Place: Sheila and Porter Bember
Their efforts in beautifying their homes and enhancing the neighborhood's appeal were truly commendable.
In addition to the delicious food and exciting contest, we also held a raffle with Habitat swag and other prizes, featuring eight beautiful quilts donated by the CT Piecemakers Quilt Guild. Our heartfelt thanks go to JoAnne Fabry and the entire guild for their incredible generosity. These handmade quilts were a wonderful addition to the event, and the lucky winners were overjoyed.
The day was extra special due to our amazing DJ, Joseph Colon, who added a special flair to the event. The event would not have been possible without the dedication of the Family Services, Construction, and Development Department Teams, along with over 15 volunteers who donated their time and energy. They organized games for the kids, helped with setup and breakdown, and ensured everything ran smoothly. Their efforts made the picnic enjoyable for everyone involved.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this year's Habitat's Family Picnic a memorable event. Your support and participation help us continue our work and strengthen our community.
We look forward to seeing you all at our next event!
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