2015 Annual Report from Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County
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Dedication of the second Habitat Pinellas home. Cover: David Morris, 90 years young, began volunteering for Habitat building homes that change lives since 1985 Pinellas in 1991 and has been a part-time site supervisor since 1997. “My daughter Then... benefitted quite well 1985 BOARD OF DIRECTORS from being in our Bill Daniel, Board Chair home. It allowed us Debbie Chambers, Vice Chair to function the way Helen Edwards, Secretary Beverly Jones, Treasurer we needed to. She’s Fred Burney currently in the Gabe Cazares military and in Emily Dipple Building Homes That Change Lives Since 1985 Pat Farmer college. I’ll never Victor Gavel For 30 years, Habitat Pinellas has worked with hundreds of local businesses and government officials, and Bob Gemmer astonishingly, hundreds of thousands of community volunteers who believe in the mission of Habitat for leave this house. It’s ours forever.” Dorothy Gillum Humanity. With each swing of a hammer and every nail pounded, the work has been a labor of love Don Hafner that has united all those who have invested their time, expertise and monetary gifts. And for each of the Jerrie Hendrix 343 homes we’ve built to date, the impact of our work extends far beyond completing construction. Bruce Lavorey For 30 years, community support has helped break the cycle of poverty for these families. The Evelyn Lassiter financial burden of living paycheck to paycheck has been eased by an affordable monthly mortgage. CYNTHIA IVY, Homeowner. Since completing her sweat equity hours and moving into her own Marty McGinn home in 2008, homeowner Cynthia Ivy has continued to volunteer over the past seven years to Gail Michael They no longer have to decide between paying rent or putting food on the table or gas in the car. help other families and build 10 more homes. As the housing program coordinator for CASA, And with their “forever” homes, Habitat families no longer are forced to chronically move to escape Cynthia has encouraged CASA residents to apply for the Habitat program. Three of the women George Oldring increasing rent and bad landlords. Their children no longer have to adapt to new schools and making new she’s encouraged have gone on to become Habitat homeowners. “I was a homeless person and Jon Peterson friends with every relocation. Many Habitat families describe the “peace of mind” that their homes have brought them. a domestic violence survivor,” said Cynthia. “I know what it’s like to have sleepless nights and not Bridget Rahim-Williams It’s a lasting impact that not only provides a secure family home, but has also been found to spur better performance of have stability. When I was working my sweat equity, my daughter wasn’t old enough to help me, Barry Robinson so all the hours were on me alone. That is why I help out other Habitat homeowner candidates Ken Smith children in school, improve health and inspire a more positive outlook for the future. who don’t have anyone to help them.” Bill Symons We extend a sincere thank you to our local community who has supported Habitat Pinellas for the past 30 years. Pat Turner-Sharpton Together, we have built homes, not houses. Homes that change lives. ...and Now 2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS BACK IN THE DAY Julie Klavans, Board Chair Jason Clement, Vice Chair 1985 Mary-Ellen Howells, Secretary • In 1985, there were only 89 U.S. Habitat the leadership of volunteer executive John Nicely, Treasurer affiliates. Today, there are over 1,400. director James Schwarzlose. Chuck Aldrich • Established on January 14, 1985, • The first executive director for the newly Kerry Clapper Habitat Pinellas received its official established affiliate was Tom Webster. “We used to be cramped, all living in Will Conroy affiliation status on April 20, 1985. • The first Board chair was Bill Daniel. one bedroom. Now we live in a three Scott Daigle Organizing efforts began in 1984 under • The first groundbreaking took place on bedroom house – a real luxury!” Tamara Davis March 29, 1985. JANE DUNAWAY, First Homeowner. Our first Joe Faw The first Habitat Pinellas home built for the Dunaway family. “It’s nice to see the change in the executive director, Tom Webster, recounted a Matt Frey • The first volunteer day took place on six lots at the corner of 13th Street N. lives of prospective homeowners.” conversation with the first Habitat Pinellas family March 30, 1985 with volunteer Ron Scott Gault and 4th Avenue N. from the City of St. Retired – Jane Dunaway and her sons, Robert and Tim. Rocks felling a tall dead pine tree. TOM OBERHOFER, Volunteer. Thomas Goeglein Pete for $50 per lot. You read the right! Eckerd College economics professor Tom Jane worked for minimum wage at a local nursing home. “Shortly after moving into her house, Jane Michael Kilpatrick • The first volunteer group was from Oberhofer has been volunteering on Habitat The first Habitat Pinellas homeowner called me over one day. She had her bills laying Oakhurst United Methodist Church in • Pinellas construction sites since 1993. For many Jason Miller was Jane Dunaway, who also was the on the table. Her electric bill was substantially less Seminole led by John and Vonnie of his 22 years of volunteering, he has been Dav Mosby first to pay off her mortgage in 2004. for a brand new three-bedroom home than for her Stemen clearing land on April 3, 1985. working a couple days a week assisting as a site Bill Protz supervisor. He chose building for Habitat over dilapidated apartment. She picked up her property • Habitat Pinellas has been tithing to • The first land acquisition was a sweet other volunteer opportunities because he likes tax bill, waving it like a flag, exclaiming, ‘It’s official! Mark Purtee Habitat Guatemala since 1985 to build heart deal that occurred on February 14, the physical nature of the work, the interaction I’m a real homeowner now!’ I do believe she is the Amy Rettig simple, earthquake-resistant homes – a only person I have ever encountered who couldn’t Habitat Pinellas’ first executive director Tom Webster 1985, when Habitat Pinellas purchased and feedback he hears from homeowners and Tracy West with his family and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter tradition we’ve maintained for 30 years. volunteers, and “sharing the joy of the build.” wait to pay her property taxes!” 2 3 we build homes, not houses community partners 2015 Highlights 2014 – 2015 Home Sponsors January. Habitat Pinellas marks it 30th Guatemala to With 2015 coming to a close, there is much to celebrate — lives have been changed and hope has been restored for 32 anniversary on January 14th. participate in a families throughout Pinellas County. week-long Habi- January. TheTampa Bay Beaches Home sponsors are critical partners in helping Habitat Pinellas make affordable homeownership a reality for the hard- tat Global Village Chamber of Commerce recognizes working families in our area. build. Habitat Pinellas with the “Large Nonprofit Habitat Pinellas depends upon the support of corporations, churches, businesses, civic groups and individuals to carry of the Year” award. June. The historic out our mission. Henry-Bryan February. Habitat Pinellas is awarded the During our 2014-2015 fiscal year, with the funding support of several businesses, faith organizations and individuals, House, which “Judges’ Choice Be More Encouraged” at Habitat Pinellas has dedicated 32 homes for families throughout Pinellas County! We are proud to partner with the was relocated the 10th annual WEDU Be More Awards following sponsors who graciously supported our 2015 home builds and improve the lives of these 32 families and from 4th Ave- luncheon. their children. nue N. to MLK February. Habitat Pinellas recognizes Street S. in St. 30th Anniversary Campaign Habitat Florida MSF Publix Super Market Charities HSN as it “Golden Hammer Corporate Pete, is dedicated Ark Royal Insurance Company Habitat Pinellas Faith Build Raymond James Partner of the Year” at its BLUEPRINT after a year-long Bank of America JMC Communities TradeWinds Island Resorts Afrika fundraising gala. renovation with “Golden Hammer” Award: Habitat Pinellas board Blueprint Afrika gala Kanes Furniture Valspar Championship presented by BB&T chair Julie Klavans, Bill Brand, president of HSN, February. The BLUEPRINT Afrika financial and build- Mindy Grossman, CEO of HSNi, Catalina Charitable Marketing Lightning Foundation Community Hero Program Wells Fargo ing support from Habitat Pinellas CEO Mike Sutton and Bill Van Chapman Family Foundation Lokey Automotive fundraising gala raises $156,000 for its Law, president, Raymond James Investment HSN Cares JMC Communities Advisors Division, 2014 recipient. Clearwater Toyota Mid-Atlantic Finance Company Wells Fargo home building program thanks to Right: Lynn McGhee of ConceptBait with his event sponsors and partic- and Wood “Best of Blueprint” designer award. EllMar Foundation Nielsen Whirlpool ipants. Special thanks Window Makeover and Historic SIXTEEN FAITH CONGREGATIONS PARTICIPATED IN OUR FAITH BUILD: Anona United Methodist to presenting at Maranatha Baptist Church. Church, 360 United Anona Multisite Church, Central Christian Church of Clearwater, Heritage United Methodist sponsor HCA Homes Workshop. Church,Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, Pasedena Community Church, St. Michael the Archangel September. The Chamber of Commerce Catholic Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Church Experience, Crystal Beach Community Church, Gulf Coast West Florida, July. A 10-week Church, Harborside Christian Church, Hope Luthera, Norwood Baptist Church, Prince of Peace Lutheran, as well as 14 “Faith Build” involv- of St. Petersburg honors Habitat Pinellas and St. Paul’s United Methodist Church local designers ing 16 local churches with a “Good ‘Burger” award based on and 20 artists concludes with the votes from the community. who contrib- dedication of a Largo September. The second Habitat Pinellas uted extensive home for the Acevedo ReStore opens on U.S.