Local Builders partner with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland to build home as part of nationwide Home Builders Blitz.

As part of Habitat for Humanity’s Home Builders Blitz 2017, professional homebuilders and suppliers will provide the labor, funding and materials to help more than 200 families across the U.S. build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. “Habitat for Humanity’s Home Builders Blitz is truly a testament to the willingness of local builders to invest in their communities,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Since 2002, professional builders have partnered with families to create positive ripple effects in neighborhoods and make everyday moments more meaningful. We are so grateful for their support.”

In Bradley County, Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland and professional homebuilders will help the Vaughn family build a place they can call home. Construction on the home began in June and will be completed by the end of the year.

“The Builders Blitz gives vendors and subcontractors the opportunity to give back to the affiliate and to Habitat families,” said Tyler Bramlett, Construction Director. “It’s a great opportunity to address the growing need for decent and affordable housing in Bradley County, and to bring awareness to the community of the opportunities to volunteer with Habitat.  There are still opportunities for builders to donate materials and labor for the home.”

The event is supported nationwide by presenting sponsor Ply Gem, with additional support from Martin Marietta, The blue Book Building and Construction Network, Huber Engineered Woods, Masco Corp., Columbia Forest Products and Gildan. Local support is provided by Tindell’s Building Materials, Cleveland Plywood Co., Whirlpool, DOW, Schneider Electric, Valspar, Yale, Pyramid Construction, Rick’s Plumbing, Hecker Electric, Kidd Insulation, Springdale Heating and Air, Herb’s Yard Barns and Swafford Nursery.

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build and repair homes, communities and hope. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, visit habitatofcleveland.org.

Habitat is combining ReStore locations

After an in depth analysis, the administrative team at Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland has determined that it will be more efficient to merge the two ReStore locations into the larger ReStore facility located at 300 Grove Avenue and to not renew the lease at the North Lee Highway location. With that decision made, Habitat of Cleveland has begun updating and renovating the South ReStore. Habitat is dedicated to the continued success of the ReStore and has received a donation of $10,000 from WACKER Polysilicon North America to purchase a new truck. The truck will allow increased opportunities to pick up donations throughout the community.

Because of the generosity of the Cleveland community, there are many treasures to be found at the ReStore. Originally designed to sell primarily building materials, the Restore has expanded its inventory with a wide variety of items including: clothes, housewares, antiques, holiday items, jewelry, sporting goods, exercise equipment, furniture, appliances, electronics, and building materials.

The ReStore had humble beginnings that started in a small building donated by Whirlpool Corporation on Euclid Avenue. What started out as a yearly auction to raise funds in the mid-90s, became a weekly “Warehouse Sale” every Thursday in 1998. Due to increased demand and great success, the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors made the decision to open the Habitat Home Store five days a week, leasing a building on Edwards Street in September of 2004. In the very first month, the store was operating with a profit. Donations and sales continued to increase and the need for paid staff and a larger facility quickly became a reality. In 2009, the old movie theater on Grove Avenue was remodeled to accommodate the new “South ReStore” and Affiliate administrative offices.

The Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland ReStore has contributed to the success and fulfillment of Habitat’s mission of building and repairing homes, communities, and hope in Bradley County.

The ReStore accepts donations in sellable condition such as furniture and clothing that are gently used. ReStore profits are used to purchase building materials for the construction of homes and are also used to cover operations and administrative costs for the organization.

Customers can find countless items at affordable prices, and the ReStore opens up endless possibilities to turn discarded items into treasures through Do-It-Yourself re-purposing and refurbishing. Additionally, the ReStores have kept over 4,000 tons of materials out of our local landfill through its recycling efforts, extending the life of the landfill and saving Bradley County tax payers money.

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland seeks to put God’s love into action while bringing people together to build and repair homes, communities, and hope.

Tami Croft wins $2,500 for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland in AARP Dream Builders video contest

Tami Croft, a Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland homeowner and volunteer, received $2,500.00 for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland from AARP through their Dream Builders contest. Croft entered a video into the Dream Builders contest hosted on the AARP website and described her dream volunteer project with Habitat for Humanity. The Dream Builders contest is described by AARP as a way to build “on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I have a dream’ message as well as AARP’s commitment to livable communities and service”. Contestants were encouraged to enter a one minute video detailing a project at their favorite non-profit.

Croft chose two Women Build homes being built by Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, community sponsors and volunteers as her Dream Builders project. “I can’t swing a hammer anymore so I am trying to raise funds to build these two homes” explained Croft in her submission video, “I know what a huge blessing these homes are to these families”.

Fifteen videos from organizations across the country were entered into the Dream Builders contest. Croft’s Habitat of Cleveland video was chosen as one of twelve finalists. After sharing her video on social media and rallying support around the Women Build cause, she was able to gain the most votes online, become the national winner and receive the grand prize of $2,500 for Habitat of Cleveland.

Founded in 1958, AARP seeks to change the way America defines aging by focusing on its founding principles of promoting independence, dignity and purpose for older persons, to enhance the quality of life for older persons and to encourage older people to serve and not be served.

Through the support of local businesses and community volunteers, Habitat for Humanity is helping pave the way to a better future for families of Bradley County. The Women Build initiative furthers the efforts to unite Habitat for Humanity with local women to raise money and build homes for two families: Sheila Bell and her granddaughters as well as Jose and Rhina Basora and their two sons. These two families will work alongside volunteers to build their own homes, while also completing classes about homeownership and finances to prepare them for the future.

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland seeks to put God’s love into action while bringing people together to build and repair homes, communities and hope.

[video width="640" height="360" m4v="http://habitatofcleveland.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Habitatofcleveland-Dream-Builders.m4v"][/video]

Southeast Bank sponsors Cleveland High Students

Cleveland High School students participated in Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland’s Women Build initiative on Saturday, April 15. These students were able to build because of the sponsorship of Southeast Bank. The students were accompanied by chaperone, Cari Bosserdet, who is an English as a Second Language teacher at Cleveland High School. “This volunteer day helps the students help others, and it shows them what it takes to help families,” said Bosserdet. “There are a lot of students at Cleveland High whose families have become homeowners through Habitat’s program. Habitat builds a great community, and the services offered by Habitat help our students and help our city.” Students and teachers from Cleveland High School built in the Women Build 2016 initiative and hope to volunteer again next year.

Southeast Bank City President, DeWayne Morrow joined the team on the construction site for a check presentation and to show support from Southeast Bank. “SouthEast Bank is honored to sponsor this group of young ladies and their teachers that were willing to volunteer their personal time on an Easter weekend to help Habitat with this building project,” said Morrow.

The Women Build 2017 initiative will build two homes for two families: Sheila Bell and her granddaughters as well as Jose and Rhina Basora and their two sons. These two families have been working alongside volunteers to build their own homes, while also completing classes about homeownership and finances to prepare them for the future.

OneMain Financial Sponsors Walker Valley Students

Students from Walker Valley High School received a sponsorship from OneMain Financial to participate in Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland’s Women Build initiative. The sponsorship allowed a group of female students from the high school to serve during Habitat’s annual pay-to-play fundraiser that is building homes for two deserving families in Bradley County. Lara Davidson, book keeper for Walker Valley High School and team chaperone, was excited to partner with Habitat for Humanity for the second consecutive year. After getting to experience Women Build with a group of students in 2016, Davidson learned a lot about Habitat and hopes to continue involving students in the future.

“It was a very educational experience,” Davidson said. “It was good to let the girls experience that, but also now to be hooked to the experience. I want to come every year and bring a new group of girls with me every year.”

OneMain Financial has served local communities for over 100 years with a focus on responsible lending, according to their website. Their commitment to community-minded service propels their partnership with the Women Build initiative. Evie Correa works as a personal loan specialist with OneMain Financial and said the company is proud of their continued efforts in the community.

“We take great pride in supporting and partnering with Habitat for Humanity to continue the development of our local economy,” Correa said. “Our main focus is to help this community continue to grow stronger.”

Through the support of local businesses and community volunteers, Habitat for Humanity is helping pave the way to a better future for families of Bradley County. The Women Build initiatives furthers the efforts to unites Habitat for Humanity with local women to raise money and build homes for two families: Sheila Bell and her granddaughters as well as Jose and Rhina Basora and their two sons. These two families will work alongside volunteers to build their own homes, while also completing classes about homeownership and finances to prepare them for the future.

Athens Federal Bank Sponsors Bradley Central Build

Students from Bradley Central High School received a sponsorship from Athens Federal Community Bank for the second year in row to participate in Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland’s Women Build initiative on May 6. The sponsorship allowed a group of female students from the high school to serve during Habitat’s annual pay-to-play fundraiser that is building homes for two families in Bradley County. Agnes Colón, Spanish teacher at Bradley Central High School and team chaperone, has been the chaperone for the Bradley team both years they have been a part of the Women Build.

“At Bradley, we believe it is so important to volunteer and give back to our community,” said Colón. “Women Build is an amazing way for our students to see that helping your community is hard work, but that it is one of the best things you can do. The girls are always so excited to build, and we plan to partner with Habitat every year!”

Athens Federal Community Bank is celebrating its 10^th year in Cleveland. The bank was founded in Athens in 1934 with a commitment to treat its customers with dignity, respect, and to meet the needs of its customers. Cleveland City President, Jay Leggett, Jr., joined the Bradley Central team on the construction site at Habitat’s Victory Cove Subdivision for a check presentation.

“Athens Federal Community Bank is so pleased to be able to contribute to our community in this way,” said Leggett. “Habitat has been doing great work in Cleveland for a long time, and it is always nice to see new homeowners move into their homes. The girls from Bradley Central have done such a great job the past two years being a part of the Women Build, and we are proud to be able to support them again.”

Through the support of local businesses and community volunteers, Habitat for Humanity is helping pave the way to a better future for families of Bradley County. The Women Build initiative furthers the efforts to unite Habitat for Humanity with local women to raise money and build homes for two families: Sheila Bell and her granddaughters as well as Jose and Rhina Basora and their two sons. These two families will work alongside volunteers to build their own homes, while also completing classes about homeownership and finances to prepare them for the future.

Volunteer Spotlight: Alan Goslen

by: Natalie McNair Alan Goslen initially heard about Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland when he helped support a Women Build group through Broad Street United Methodist Church in 2000. He began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland on weekends and became a regular construction site volunteer in March 2010. He volunteers on Tuesday and Thursday each week and works on the homes of future Habitat homeowners.

Alan worked for 20 years as an Army Officer. He then attended the University of Tennessee where he obtained a Library Science degree. He spent 13 years at Cleveland State Community College as a reference librarian before retiring in 2010.

Also a member of Sunrise Rotary, Alan led a group of volunteers from Sunrise Rotary on April 29^th. The group worked on the interior of the Stafford family home.

When asked what he enjoys about volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, Alan responded with, “I enjoy seeing a tangible product of my work. I enjoy the physical work. I enjoy the other members of the regular construction volunteers”.

Habitat of Cleveland is thankful to have volunteers like Alan who are committed to serving the families of Bradley County and who bring dedication and commitment to our group of regular volunteers. Thank you Alan for all you do for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.