RECORDS MAKE A RUN FOR IT AT THE 2007 HABITAT 5K!

It was a record-setting day at the Sixth Annual Habitat 5K on Nov. 24. The race was organized by the Quakertown Rotary Club and held at Quakertown United Methodist Church. This year featured the largest turnout yet, with 206 runners for the 5K and 22 youngsters in the Kid's Fun Run. Capping the event was an amazing race run by Steve Gourley (29) of Sellersville who was the overall winner by over one minute, and set a new course record with a time of 15:59. Fourteen-year-old Heather Selheimer of Lansdale was the women's champion in a time of 19:34. Habitat for Humanity staffers Laura McClellan, Nancy O'Connor and Stefanie Clark took part in the race with Nancy's husband Dan and Stefanie's husband Anthony also competing. Rotary Club members, Bux-Mont Running Club members and Habitat for Humanity partner family Lee Dorn, volunteered at the event, making sure the runner's experience safe and fun....click for more.

> Click here for all race results!

Bucks County, PA -Nov. 16, 07- Newtown residents and soccer buddies, Katie Leininger and Delaney Smith, recently visited the offices of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County in order to deliver a contribution of $605. Though the pair both attend the same school, playing soccer together is what makes them close. So close in fact, that they decided to hold a joint birthday party and, at the inspiration of Katie’s brother, Alex, the young women asked guests to bring donations for Habitat in lieu of gifts. Five years ago, Alex made a contribution of $300; Katie and Delaney were thrilled to beat his score!

High resolution image available by contacting Mikaela (contact information is above).
At left: Habitat for Humanity Executive Director, Linda Andrews, and Resource Development Director, Trish Schoor, present Delaney Smith and Katie Leininger with a book and hammer-shaped lapel pins as a thank you for their birthday donation.

> Click for a printable PDF.

During the week of October 13 – 20, over 60 women honed their building skills at the Emerald Hollow community in Milford Township as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program. During this
“build-a-thon,” Women Builders contributed over 900 hours of volunteer labor and raised nearly $16,000! Blessed with beautiful weather, they were able to build five garages, install staircases, and lay block to complete the foundations of several homes. Working alongside Habitat for Humanity partner families who will purchase the homes at their completion, the Women Builders were able to bring eight families closer to their dream of homeownership.

The nation’s most famous woman carpenter, Amy Wynn Pastor (currently of the DIY Network), laid the hammer down on site during the last day of the build-a-thon and said a few words during the closing ceremony, “I love coming out here so much – it’s one of my goals to participate for an entire week with the Women Builders. Hopefully next year!”

State Representative Marguerite Quinn also visited during the build-a-thon, saying in a speech that Women Builders are the start of a community-building “ripple” through our neighborhoods that is on it’s way to raising awareness and funds for affordable, safe homes for all Bucks County residents. ... click for more

WHAT'S BIG AND RED AND CAN CHANGE LIVES?

Bucks County, PA – (Oct. 3 07) – The Thrivent Builds Mobile! The mobile is a bright red mini-museum on wheels that tells the story of poverty and substandard housing in America and how you can be a part of the solution through Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.

An experiential exhibit housed in a 67-foot semi truck designed to increase awareness and understanding of substandard housing, the Thrivent Builds Mobile will travel to more than 15 states this year and features the real stories and images of people living in poverty housing. Videos, graphics and sets punctuated by dramatic lighting and sound round out the 10-minute experience that connects visitors physically and emotionally with the problem of substandard housing and offers opportunities to get involved in addressing this problem. ... click for more

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR PROGRAM IN FULL SWING AT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY!

Bucks County, PA – Sep. 7, 07 – On a recent hot and sticky August day, 14 members of the Bucks County Association of REALTORS® (BCAR) joined forces to volunteer their building skills in the Emerald Hollow community in Upper Bucks County. The group build day was part of the association’s continued partnership with Habitat for Humanity through the Neighbor to Neighbor program.

Despite the hard work and sweat, participant Michael Strickland from Addison-Wolfe in New Hope was happy to share his enthusiasm for the Habitat program:

“Habitat homes are a great option for folks that might not otherwise be able to afford a home in Bucks County.” This was Mike’s first build day at Habitat and was quite impressed by how organized the construction teams operated; “I had no idea we would be able to accomplish so much in one day.” Mike has a friend that participated in a Habitat for Humanity build on the Gulf coast and was eager to put his hands to work too. “Before Neighbor to Neighbor, I had no idea that there was a Habitat affiliate in Bucks County.” ... click for more

HABITAT WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS TO STAFF!

Bucks County, PA -24 October 2006- Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County recently hired Linda S. Andrews as Executive Director and Trish Schoor as Resource Development Director.

Andrews brings with her six years of Executive Director experience after working for the Bucks and Montgomery County chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Previously, she spent 20 years as an Administrator for the American Institute of Banking. Andrews began her career with Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer in 2001 during a NARI “blitz build” at the Habitat community of Emerald Hollow. She has been active in an annual toy drive since then, as well as the affiliate’s Women Build program since 2005.

Says Andrews, “I am very excited to be at Habitat! I’m privileged to participate in an organization that so dramatically and positively affects the quality of peoples’ lives...click for more

LOCAL BOY ADOPTS BUCKS COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FAMILY
AND RAISES FUNDS FOR NATIONAL HABITAT EFFORTS

Kyle Schwartz of Richboro recently adopted a Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County Partner family as part of his bar mitzvah. As well as gifts and funds for a holiday meal for the adopted family, Kyle raised $1000, $800 of which is going to Habitat’s Katrina relief efforts and $200 is coming to Habitat Bucks... click for more

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD TWINS BIRTHDAY WISHES COMES TRUE AS THEY RAISE $653 FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY!

Philanthropic-minded Bucks County twins, Jake and Sophie, recently celebrated their seventh birthday. And although their party had the expected balloons, birthday cake and excited classmates, there was quite an unexpected and obvious omission: gifts!

Instead of the usual desires of elementary school-aged children – Play Station games! Bicycles! My Little Ponies! – these two youngsters had bigger and better plans for their birthday wish lists... click for more

the Kitchen, The Chef and The Book, a gala hosted by Yorktowne Cabinetry and The Fretz Corp., raised over $4,000 for the Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County – a hands-on, non-profit affordable housing organization that operates as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.

The black tie affair, attended by over 135 guests, was held at the Yorktowne Cabinetry Showroom in Ft. Washington (PA). Guest chefs included Georges Perrier, owner and chef of Philadelphia’s premier 5-Star/5 Diamond French restaurant Le Bec-Fin, and Walter Staib, Executive Chef of Philadelphia’s historic City Tavern – who gladly signed their cookbooks to help raise funds for the cause... click for more

Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County announces Bucks County artist, Kristy Krajnenko, as the winner of this year’s Holiday Card Design Contest! Krajnenko will have her artwork featured on Habitat’s holiday card to be sold for the benefit of Habitat via local merchants and at www.habitatbucks.org/shopproducts.asp. This unique fundraiser is also Habitat’s longest-running, at fifteen years.

“I hope that through my art, I am able to bring... click for more

$25,000 COMMITMENT MADE TO WOMEN BUILD PROGRAM

The Home Builders Association/Bucks Montgomery Counties (HBA) and GMAC recently announced their joint sponsorship of $25,000 for the Habitat Bucks Women Build program. Says Jim Goldstein, GMAC Mortgage district manager, “We’re pleased to be partnering with the Home Builders Association of Bucks and Montgomery Counties. The Women Build is a major initiative that will have significant positive impact on the community and I look forward to... click for more

The Faith Relations Committee of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County is planning its annual Building on Faith Week! Building on Faith provides an opportunity for members of area congregations to work together in fellowship to help provide affordable and safe homes for families in Bucks County. Participants have the opportunity to work on the construction of homes at Habitat’s Emerald... click for more

New Britain company, Gilmore & Associates, Inc. a local provider of Engineering and Consulting Services, designated March as Habitat Month! During the month, the company bought employees’ lunch in exchange for their contributions to the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County and then matched the amount collected. The check, totaling $2,040 raised by the Gilmore staff and even a... click for more

MISS PORTER'S SCHOOL VISITS AGAIN FOR COLLEGIATE CHALLENGE

Spring break usually indicates a mass exodus of youth to places where sand and waves rule the day. Thousand of students, however, will spend this year’s spring break in places ruled by digging and hammering. Miss Porter’s School of Farmington, CT will work with Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County at the Emerald Hollow Estates community to build homes and landscape the grounds... click for more

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF BUCKS COUNTY PLANS WOMEN BUILD

From Colorado to Pennsylvania, from Asia to Africa, women are taking the lead in the fight against poverty housing. Through Habitat for Humanity, women are building a legacy!
The Women Build program is designed specifically to recruit, train and empower women to build. Women-built projects... click for more

EMERALD HOLLOW COMMUNITY WELCOMES HOME THE LAST OF THE PHASE I FAMILIES

At this weekend’s Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County home dedication, the Dallison-Gearhart, Johnson, Kelsh and Schwartz families—once strangers, now neighbors—were each given a gift so special, no paper could wrap it. On the chilly afternoon of February 12, each family received the keys to their new homes.
“I feel like a princess,” said Angela Schwartz who, with husband Brian, welcomed visitors into her family’s home... click for more

T.H. PROPERTIES IS BUILDING HOPE LOCALLY AND ABROAD

T.H. Properties, the largest privately held residential builder in the Delaware Valley (The Meyers Group 2004), is quickly establishing itself as a philanthropic corporation affecting children and families throughout the world, from Trumbauersville, Pa to Cairo, Egypt.

Locally, THP is helping families in need become homeowners by working with Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. Through a partnership established in April 2002, THP has... click for more