Archive for the ‘Get Involved’ Category

At the ReStore we are always trying to find ways to better educate our customers and the general public about recycling and ways to reuse items. This led us to start a new free series at the ReStore, the ReStore Academy! The academy will be monthly to semi-monthly classes taught by real contractors or experts in their fields. It will allow you to learn how to install a door or window, or some creative uses of recycled materials for those creative people!

Right now we have two classes accepting participants, which are listed below: If you are interested attending this free class please RSVP to Caleb White, Restore Manager, by sending an email to caleb@spshabitat.org

Installing a Door taught by Warren Anderson of Anderson Construction, Saturday, February 25th from 11AM – 1PM.

Window Installation and Techniques taught by Don Robinson, Saturday, March 24th from 11AM – 1PM.

If you are interested attending this free class please RSVP to Caleb White, Restore Manager, by sending an email to caleb@spshabitat.org

Do you know a low-income family that could use a hand-up? Our Homeownership Application Meetings have been set for the 1st Tuesday of each month and are open to families who dream of owning a home. Attending one of these Homeownership Orientations is the first step out of poverty housing and the only way potential homeowners can receive an application to the Habitat program. Learn more by clicking on the Homeownership tab. Homeownership Application Meetings begin at 6:00 pm. Call us at (360) 956-3456, ext. 5, if you plan on attending.

If you have been to the ReStore in the past month you will have noticed quite a few fresh faces! We have four new regular volunteers! Bailey, came to us in October looking for something to do with his time since his retirement. So Tuesdays and Wednesdays he volunteers his time in the ReStore doing pickups and helping out with organization of the store. This is one example of how you can get involved other than just on our build site, which is another great spot to volunteer at. The ReStore is fun, exciting, and a very dynamic place to be.

For more information about the ReStore, or volunteering at the ReStore. Please contact Caleb White, ReStore Manager, at caleb@spshabitat.org, or 360-956-3456 ext. 4.

Looking for that Year End Tax Deduction?
Help us continue our ministry of building homes for low-income families in 2012.

Contribute $5, $25, $50, $100, $1,000 or more to help families in our community–Click Here

The Gingerbread Cottages Competition has ended!

South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity’s 2011 Gingerbread Holiday Cottages Competition sponsored by The Urban Onion Restaurant and Lounge; Timberland Bank; Olympia Federal Savings; MSGS Architects; ROXY 94.5 Radio: Earth Friendly Products, WSECU, Simpson Door Company; State Farm Insurance; Selden’s Home Furnishings; Olympia Supply Company; and, Olympia Downtown Association, was a huge success. This event was a fun way to learn about Habitat and how it impacts the community and families who become Partners.  What a very family-friendly kickoff to the holidays!  This year’s competition was held on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 26-27, from noon to 5PM at the Olympia Ballroom above the Urban Onion, 116 Legion Way SE, Olympia.

We had 25 cottages entered and countless people visited this event.  Start planning for next year, 2012–we expect larger crowds and hope to see your entry.

1st place prize went to Melissa Sanders’ A Who House, sponsored by Chef Deb Smith, SPSCC Culinary Arts Program/Pastry Division.Click here to see the video Chef Deb and SPSCC put together as the students created a Dr. Suess Holiday Village of gingerbread.

2nd place prize went to Leslie Gilliland’s (Holly Hodgson and Jenifer Gilliland) Christmas in Russia.

3rd place prize AND “People’s Choice” winner went to Jeni Houghton’s Santa’s Workshop, sponsored by Centerpiece Cakes.

Youth Award went to Girl Scout Troop 40213: Juniors and Cadettes’ Camping Girl Scout Style.

Our esteemed delegate of volunteer judges for this year’s event were:

• André LeRest ~ The Bread Peddler Artisan Bakeshop & Café http://breadpeddler.com
• Jeanne Carras ~ Bonaventure Shoes http://www.bonaventureshoes.com
• Sam Pellegrino ~ Pellegrino’s Italian Kitchen & Custom Catering http://pellegrinositaliankitchen.com

Be sure to checkout the other outstanding and creative Holiday Gingerbread entries sponsored by SPSCC Culinary Arts Program/Pastry Division, Chef Deb Smith; David Bills; Harbor Wholesale Foods; Calvary Chapel of Olympia; Centerpiece Cakes; Compushare Management Systems, Inc., GoodTherapy.org, and Frost & Company, P.S.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 400 Overhulse Rd in Olympia, The Mailbox, and Olympia Art & Frame.

SPS Habitat for Humanity,415 Olympia Avenue NE, Olympia WA 98501, is a non-profit 501(c)3, building decent and affordable homes.

The ReStore is one of the key elements of our mission to prove affordable housing for the low-income working families of Thurston County. We have recently crossed over our two year milestone at our new location! It has been an overwhelming success not only for our affiliate but for you, our customers! Over the past two months we have worked painstakingly hard to increase the ease at which you can shop our store. We have cleaned and reorganized the store making it easier to shop, moved aisles to increase visibility of items, and streamlined the donation process! We look forward to the future years as we continue to partner with the community to bring the best possible products to the store!

On behalf of the ReStore and the South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity Staff, I want to say Thank You Customers! You are the best, thank you for your continued support of our mission and shopping at the ReStore!

We are looking for before and after photos of your remodeling projects that have utilized materials from the Store! The project does not need to be completely made up of Habitat Store items, but should include at least a one or two. The more items the better of course! Those who send in pictures will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift certificate to the Store for your next remodeling project. These pictures will be used in our presentations as well as on our brand new Store website, which is launching very soon! Please send your photos to store@spshabitat.org, along with your name and telephone number (to be used only if your name is drawn!).