We couldn't do it without volunteers!

By: LaManda Bowers, Volunteer Services Manager “The Harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of his harvest to send out laborers into his Harvest.” ─ Luke 10: 2

To me, “volunteer” is a precious word. It is a word that permeates the love of Christ.  A volunteer is a person with a servant’s heart who plows forward in a world that is full of daily challenges, heartache and frustrations. This person oftentimes demonstrates the love of Jesus Christ through their actions and sacrifice. Volunteers give of their lives for individuals who need hope.

Volunteers bring a greater level of love into everything they do. They challenge us to give freely of ourselves and to share our abilities and talents with those who are in need. Volunteers teach the world that there is more beyond just serving ourselves. They challenge us to do more, to be greater, and to achieve through compassion and team work. They force us to never settle for mediocre. Philippians 2: 3- 4 states, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” 

That, my friends, is what volunteers do. You are laborers bringing forth a harvest for the Lord’s kingdom. Putting other peoples interests at the forefront and investing your time here on Earth to show that there is no greater love than His.

Ways you can get involved

We are always in need of regular volunteers on the construction site, in the ReStores, and to serve on our committees.

We are currently in need of a part-time receptionist to help us at our Grove Avenue  Administrative Offices. We are also in need of a few volunteers to come and be our Apparel  Experts. Volunteers who take over this position will be in charge of sorting and hanging up clothes.

Register to volunteer today!

The Vega Family: Homeowner Profile

Volunteers are hard at work on the construction site building three homes for three local families. There has been a steady flow of volunteers laying foundation, shingling roofs, installing doors and windows, and painting walls since construction started again in February. When you get involved with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, you help hardworking, low-income families build the strength, stability and independence they need to create a better life for themselves and their children. Affordable housing is out of reach for so many of our community’s hardworking families and a full-time job is no guarantee that a family can afford a decent place to live in Bradley County.

These are families like Guillermo and Stephanie Vega.

The Vega’s are both from Puerto Rico, but their families moved to the United States when they were both young. When they moved to Cleveland, they instantly knew it was a perfect fit for their family. “Cleveland is peaceful,” said Stephanie. “It’s small enough that everyone knows each other, and I love that it is such a faith-oriented and service-oriented town.”

Together, the couple has four young children: Nevaeh (7 years old), Natalia (5 years old), Naiya (2 years old) and Nathan (7 months old). The Vega’s are a tight-knit family who enjoy playing outside together, watching science films and are very involved at First Baptist Church.

The Vega’s currently live in a small apartment in a very unsafe neighborhood. The Vega family’s vehicle was stolen from their driveway, and a grocery store in the neighborhood was recently held-up at gun point. “When more and more crimes began happening in our neighborhood, we knew we had to make a change,” said Guillermo.

Vega is working full-time at Peyton’s Southeastern with hopes of one day completing his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. His wife cares for their children and also makes jewelry and crochets baby clothes in order to provide a little extra income. However, their low-wage jobs make it impossible for them to afford a better place to live.

Guillermo and Stephanie learned about Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland and were accepted into the program based on their need and willingness to partner in the program.  They have been building their home alongside volunteers, investing more than 300 hours of “sweat equity.” “Completing these hours shows we are willing to work for what we want, and it has also helped us to gain so much experience in making home repairs,” said Stephanie.

When construction is complete, they will pay an affordable mortgage and this hardworking family will have a permanent place to call home. When asked what her house will look like, Stephanie said excitedly, “We will have four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a full kitchen!” Guillermo added that they are very excited about having a back deck and a garden, too. “Our home will run on island time,” Guillermo added with a smile.

“Owning a home has been a goal for our family for a long time now,” said Stephanie. “Owning our own home means financial security and safety. We want our kids to know that if we can do this, they can do this, too.”

In order to qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home, potential homeowners must provide hundreds of volunteer hours towards that requirement. The Vega family has been very active on the construction site, coming out almost every weekend to work on their home and they have also worked in the Habitat ReStores.  Chip Willis, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, spoke very highly of the Vega family. “It’s been a great pleasure getting to know Guillermo and Stephanie and their children,” said Willis. “We have so many other families seeking to become homeowners like the Vega’s and we have an exciting opportunity that could make homeownership a reality for several families. An anonymous donor has offered to donate $75,000 if we can match that gift with another $75,000! We need the community to step in and help us reach that goal so that we can build several more homes this year.”  Anyone wishing to help can contact Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mrs. Hazel Spain

Hazel first heard about Habitat for Humanity and started volunteering in 2005. She did all of the filing after her initial job of keeping the tiny storage room organized. She then added taking pictures of all Habitat events and pictures of Habitat houses under construction in 2006. Hazel took charge over creating beautiful scrapbooks that hold each year's memories through photos and newspaper clippings. Hazel is a skilled historian and has taken charge of archiving Habitat's history, volunteer records and keeping fantastic record of all events - both big and small. "I suppose volunteering at Habitat so long has become a habit," said Hazel. "I like what I do. I enjoy doing the “library” books, and I enjoy filing for NaCole because I like to organize “stuff.”  Also, I have taken pictures of the construction guys so long I feel like they are long-time friends.  I have been taking pictures of Don Rollens, Chuck Haney, Danny Britt for 10 years, and for the others as long as they have been volunteering on construction," said Hazel.

Hazel is now retired, but she worked in the sales department of a steel foundry in Shreveport, LA over 32 years. She then worked for a real estate attorney about 12 years. While working for the attorney, she had a Notary Public license, which allowed her to close real estate transactions  A Notary can do that in Louisiana because you have to earn a license by passing some very extensive tests.

Hazel loves to travel and has had many adventures to other states and countries. "After retiring several times (the attorney kept calling me back), I moved to O’ahu (Hawaii) because my daughter and her husband had moved there where she was teaching school and he was a nurse in O’ahu," said Hazel. "I had a wonderful 2-years vacation there before they decided to go to Dhaka, Bangladesh where my daughter taught in the American International School and her husband was the school nurse."

Hazel is an extremely active and hardworking at Habitat for Humanity, and she also spends her time volunteering at other places. She volunteers at First Baptist Church wherever she is needed, and she also completes special projects for one of her Sunday School class leaders. "Dale McClure, Ginger Shaffer, Brian Silkett (all HFH volunteers) and another friend and I furnish dinner at the Emergency Shelter once a month. She has recruited a Habitat staff member and his wife who also help by preparing a large dish every month that they serve at the shelter.

We cannot say how grateful we are to volunteers like Hazel Spain. Hazel has been a giving of her time and talents to Habitat for many years, and we would not be able to grow and accomplish our mission without her contribution and the contributions of many other volunteers.

Whirlpool Sponsors and Builds with Habitat

Whirlpool joined Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland’s Women Build initiative as a title sponsor. Additionally, Whirlpool had two teams of female employees build on the construction site. These teams built on April 22 and will build again on April 29. "We feel fortunate to work and live in a community where volunteerism is alive and well,” said Cindy Slater, Human Resource Lead at Whirlpool. “We consider it an honor to play a small role in helping someone see their dreams come true in becoming a home owner.”

Whirlpool Corporation is the largest global partner of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Whirlpool’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity is based around inspiring employees, partners and consumers to build lives through Habitat’s life-enriching program. Every Home … Everywhere, with Pride, Passion, and Performance - these are the hallmarks of the company.

The partnership began in 1999 when Whirlpool Corporation partnered with HFHI by donating a refrigerator and a range to every Habitat home built in North America during that year. In 2000, Whirlpool became the first Cornerstone Partner of Habitat for Humanity by committing $25 million in product through 2005 – today’s commitment nears $90 million.  Beyond donations, Whirlpool has sold at discounts more than 30,000 appliances to Habitat affiliates and families.

Whirlpool has helped open many doors for Habitat for Humanity including: being a leading sponsor at the Jimmy Carter Work Project for the last six years; bringing many important trade partners to begin supporting HFHI (most notably Lowe’s Companies who following their experience with Whirlpool, partnered to support HFHI at $2 million per year); and helping HFHI solidify additional partnerships such as Valspar Paints’ $15 million sponsorship.

The female employees building from Whirlpool are: Cindy Slater (Team Leader), Joy Bolton, Phyllis Daniels, Lisa Gibson, Madeline Hying, Melissa Janke, Tynia Keith, Angie Leamon, Sherrell Maples, Darlene Ownbey, Elizabeth Rainwater, Carley Spurling, Penny Walker and April Willis.

Willis gives Knights of Columbus information on Habitat for Humanity

Chip Willis, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, was the program speaker at the Knight of Columbus social meeting and dinner recently at in Breen Hall at St. Therese of Lisieux Church. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland brings people together to build and repair homes, communities and hope, Willis explained.

Many families in Bradley County are in need of decent and affordable housing, which might be anything from overcrowding, homelessness, unsafe living environment, structural damage or a variety of other needs.

Habitat provides a long-term impact that changes a family’s life forever.

Habitat homeowners partner with Habitat for Humanity through working sweat equity hours, completing homeowner education courses and paying a zero-percent interest mortgage on their home. Habitat works with families to build better lives in order to build stronger communities, Willis said.

The Knights of Columbus undertake several fundraising activities throughout the year, including a Labor Day and Super Bowl barbecue roast sale, a golf tournament held each year in May, and valet parking services, to raise funds to donate to charities in the community that help those in need.

The Knights of Columbus are dedicated to the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

Photo: Knights of Columbus Council No. 4572 Grand Knight Dale Foust and fellow Knight Barry Boettner, who is currently the project manager of Habitat’s Victory Cove Phase II and past board member and past president of Habitat of Cleveland, presented a donation to Chip Willis, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.

Story by: Cleveland Daily Banner 

Habitat’s Women Build anchored by 40 local teams

Almost 40 teams of approximately 10 women each are participating in this year’s Women Build initiative by Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland. The construction of two homes for two single mothers began in late February, and is continuing in the Southgate Hills Subdivision on South Lee Highway, just beyond the highway’s intersection with APD 40. The initiative unites teams of women of all ages and skill levels to build homes for families in need of the stability a Habitat home can help provide. This year’s new homeowners will be Amber Smith, and her 2-year-old daughter, Brylee; and LaTonya Clark, a single mother of three children, Clayshion, 6; Brooklyn, 1; and Brysten, 4 months. Smith and her daughter say they love living in Bradley County. She attended Bradley Central High School, and she is currently working at a Dollar General store. While she aspires to become a registered nurse, she really enjoys where she is working now. Smith and her daughter are currently sharing a room in her mom’s house. The house is nice, but they are very overcrowded. This hard-working mom already has a full-time job, and on her days off she volunteers at the Habitat ReStore. She says, “I have always worked hard for the things I want out of life. Now that I am a single mom and raising my daughter on my own, I try to work even harder to give her the best life I possibly can.” Clark, has lived in Bradley County for 12 years. As a single mother, she has been working at the Duracell warehouse for four years. She and her children currently live in a townhome located on a very busy street, and her kids are not able to play outside. Clark’s current home is also too small for a family of four. Having a safe home for her children has been a goal Clark has had for a long time. Clark likes that Habitat for Humanity requires sweat equity hours. She said, “It really shows your appreciation, and it’s your way of giving back to the community.” The opportunity to build a home for a family is satisfying for participants in the annual Women Build. Some of the volunteers are experienced in this type of effort, while others have never used a hammer or a power tool. Team participants in this year’s initiative include: Bank of Cleveland, Bayer Healthcare, the Blue Women Group, Bradley Central High students sponsored by Athens Federal Community Bank, Bradley Central High School teachers, Bradley Sunrise Rotary, CHI Memorial Team No. 1, CHI Memorial Team No. 2, Circle of Friends, Cleveland High School Students sponsored by Tennessee Sen. Mike Bell, Cleveland Middle School Transformers, Cleveland State Community College, First United Methodist Elan Circle, FSG Bank, Grace Point, Hammer Time, Kiwanis Club of Cleveland, Mally B’s Boutique, and Mayfield Elementary; Team Morgan No. 1, Team Morgan No. 2, Orange Blossom Boutique, PEO Sisterhood Chapter AL Team, Plastic Surgery Clinic, SANTEK Sassy Sallies, Simply Chic Boutique, Southern Heritage Bank No. 1, Southern Heritage Bank No. 2, Southern Heritage Bank No. 3, the SONshine Team, St. Therese Women of Faith, UNVEILED Team, Walker Valley High School students sponsored by State Sen. Todd Gardenhire and State Rep. Dan Howell, Wesley Memorial FOCUS Team, Whirlpool Corporation No. 1, Whirlpool Corporation No. 2, Wolfpack Team, and Yates Primary School. The opportunity to assist this year’s two new homeowners is satisfying to the women who participate. “I love Women Build because these teams of women come out for a great purpose, but also for great support of one another,” said Lisa Geren, 2015 and 2016 Women Build Committee member. “These women are incredible,” Geren added. “They keep their home and family organized, maintain jobs and still find time to build a home for another family. It is a gratifying, team-building experience that often brings these teams even closer together. I look forward to hearing more great stories this year about the building teams and their experiences.” This year’s title sponsors are Toyota of Cleveland and Whirlpool, and foundation sponsors include FSG Bank and Publix Supermarkets Charities. In order to be a part of Women Build 2016, each team must have a team leader who recruits five to 10 women to be on a team. Women Build is a “pay-to-play” volunteer experience in which each team member pays a $50 build fee. The $50 fee goes back into funding the construction of the two homes the teams will be building. This is a unique volunteer experience because Women Build teams are building the two homes from start to finish through their donation of hours on-site and the cash donation. Each team’s donations will purchase construction materials necessary to build both houses.

‘Hard Hats and Heels’ Saturday

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland is on the threshold of its third annual Hard Hats and Heels gala. Saturday’s 6 p.m. celebration at Toyota of Cleveland, the event’s sponsor, will be in conjunction with Habitat’s Women Build initiative. The automotive firm has been a title sponsor for the Women Build initiative and has hosted the Hard Hats and Heels celebration since 2014. The gala is a unique event, taking place in the auto dealer’s maintenance shop. This makes it an event unlike any other. Saturday’s celebration will be catered by Tasteful Gatherings and will have adult beverages provided by Tarver Distributing and Ooltewah Discount Liquors. The event includes a charity raffle, a silent auction and a live auction Hard Hat Fashion Show. The evening will also feature jazz music by local musicians Shawn Perkinson, Shaun Sneed, Patrick Keeling and Dan York. The event’s live auction portion will feature high-value items including a Whirlpool custom double oven, a Tennessee Titans sports package, Bristol Speedway tickets, and a seven-day vacation to the Royal Haciendas Resort in Cancun, Mexico. The silent auction includes more than 50 prize packages donated from local businesses. The charity raffle items are some of the best offerings of the evening. In addition to the 28 different items, there will be a drawing for a $1,000 cash prize, presented by Cleveland Insurance and Grange Insurance. For every $2 ticket purchased, the guest will automatically be entered into the cash prize drawing. Toyota of Cleveland’s general manager, Monte Burney, recently moved to Cleveland with his family from Montgomery, Ala. He expressed excitement about the Habitat gala, this year’s Women Build, and the opportunity to be in Cleveland. “I’m honored and excited to be working with an amazing family-owned group in Bowers Automotive, and look forward to growing a customer-focused team, developing future leaders within the business and making Toyota of Cleveland one of the best places to purchase and service your vehicle,” said Burney. “I’m most excited for my wife and I to share Cleveland and Chattanooga with our daughter, Bella.” Officials with Toyota Motor Corporation say their mission is to build more than just great cars. They want to help build great places to live. “Any way we can use our platform to garner exposure for a great cause (like Habitat for Humanity) we will; it’s all about being a great steward of the resources you’ve been blessed with in order to help others,” said Burney. All of the proceeds from this year’s Hard Hats and Heels event will go toward building the Habitat homes of Amber Smith and LaTonya Clark, the two future homeowners who are a part of the Habitat Homeownership Program. Both of these women have worked hard to provide the best life possible for their family. “I believe Habitat is important to any community,” said Burney. “Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland is doing great work within the community and that’s evident in the passion and amount of work they’re pouring into this fundraiser.” Organizers of the Women Build, and Saturday evening’s gala event, emphasize 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.” They said Habitat provides a long-term impact that changes the lives of families in Bradley County by partnering with them to build better lives and stronger communities. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, visit habitatofcleveland.org.

Photo: PARTICIPANTS IN THIS year’s Women Build for Habitat for Humanity were building more than new homes. They were building, and strengthening, personal relationships. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.

Story by: Larry C. Bowers - Cleveland Daily Banner 

Hard Hats and a whole lot of Heels

By: Elizabeth Sheeks, Habitat PR Intern This weekend, Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland will be having one of the most enjoyable events happening in Cleveland this spring – Hard Hats and Heels 2016!

Toyota of Cleveland is partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland and hosting the third annual Hard Hats and Heels event in conjunction with Habitat’s Women Build 2016 initiative. Hard Hats and Heels will take place on Saturday, April 2 at Toyota of Cleveland beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Toyota of Cleveland has been a title sponsor for the Women Build initiative and has hosted Hard Hats and Heels since their inception in 2014. Toyota of Cleveland’s General Manager, Monté Burney, and his family recently moved to Cleveland from Montgomery, AL.

“I’m honored and excited to be working with an amazing family-owned automotive group with Bowers Automotive and look forward to growing a customer-focused team, developing future leaders within the business and making Toyota of Cleveland one of the best places to purchase and service your vehicle,” said Burney. “I’m most excited for my wife and I to share Cleveland and Chattanooga with our daughter, Bella.”

Toyota Motor Corporation’s mission is to build more than just great cars; they want to help build great places to live. “Any way we can use our platform to garner exposure for a great cause we will; it’s all about being a great steward of the resources you’ve been blessed with in order to help others,” said Burney.

Hard Hats and Heels takes place in Toyota of Cleveland’s Maintenance Shop ─ making it this event unlike any other. The event will be catered by Tasteful Gatherings and will have adult beverages provided by Tarver Distributing and Ooltewah Discount Liquors. The event includes a time of raffles, a silent auction and a live auction Hard Hat Fashion Show. The evening will also feature jazz music by local musicians, Shawn Perkinson, Shaun Sneed, Patrick Keeling and Dan York.

The event’s live auction portion will feature high-value items including: a Whirlpool Custom Double Oven, a Tennessee Titans sports package, Bristol Speedway tickets and a 7-day vacation to the Royal Haciendas Resort in Cancun, Mexican. The silent auction portion includes over 50 prize packages donated from local businesses. The raffle items are some of the best offers of the evening. In addition to the twenty-eight different raffle items offered, there will be a drawing for a $1,000 cash prize, presented by Cleveland Insurance and Grange Insurance. For every $2.00 raffle ticket that is purchased, the guest will automatically be entered into the cash prize drawing.

All of the proceeds from this event will go toward building the homes of Amber Smith and LaTonya Clark – the two future homeowners who are a part of the Habitat Homeownership Program. Both of these women have worked extremely hard to provide the best life possible for their family.

“I believe Habitat is important to any community,” said Burney. “Habitat for Humanity ofCleveland is doing a great work within the community and that’s evident in the passion and amount of work they’re pouring into this fundraiser.”

 Tickets for this event are $50 per ticket or $400 per table (8 seats). Purchase your tickets HERE!

For more information about the great work Toyota of Cleveland is doing in our community, visit: www.toyotaofcleveland.com

Toyota of Cleveland

3560 Village N Blvd McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 339-1138

A Small Seed of Faith: Tami Croft

By: Elizabeth Sheeks, Habitat PR Intern “All some people need is just a little seed of faith – someone who believes in them. Habitat is just that. It’s that faith that keeps me coming back.”

Tami Croft is no stranger to Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland. She started off as a homeowner in the Habitat program and decided to give back to Habitat for Humanity by volunteering in many roles. She became a family advocate, began serving on the Family Selection Committee and and is currently serving as the front desk receptionist. Croft continues to pour out endless time into the families that are part of our program through her great work as a volunteer.

About ten years ago, Tami Croft and her family were accepted into the Habitat Homeowner program. She completed all of the sweat equity hours and took part in all of the education classes that the program requires before you can own your own home. Once Tami and her two children moved into their home, she knew her involvement with Habitat was not supposed to end there.

“I don’t come from wealth, but that is not the only thing it takes to give back. I knew that I was passionate about giving back to Habitat – so I’ve tried to do that.”

Croft serves at Habitat Tuesday through Friday in the administrative offices and as a family advocate full-time. Most often she spends her weekends and evenings helping Habitat for Humanity’s community outreach efforts at different schools, campuses and surrounding areas with our Family Services Coordinator, NaCole Harris-Massengill.

Tami is one of the most dedicated and faithful family advocates that Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland has had the privilege to work with. She greets every homeowner she works with with the upmost care and intentionality. She walks with them from the beginning process of qualifying for a home, all the way through the move-in to help with any questions, suggestions and simply to be a guide. In almost every case Tami becomes one of their most treasured friends.

“I just get so excited for these families. I have been through the exact process that all of these families embark on; I can relate which makes it so much more rewarding. I’m not there to tell them what to do or not to do. I just want them to know someone is always fighting for them. I aim to be their friend, and I continue to plant the seed of faith that Habitat started.”

Through one conversation with Tami, it is so easy to see the pure joy and emotion that radiates to anyone that is around. There is something special about someone that chooses to spend their time giving back to others, and putting God’s love into action.Tami Croft is one of the best examples of exactly that.

“Habitat believed in me and now all I want to do is be a part of that same process for someone else, because my life was forever changed.” -Tami Croft