Habitat for Humanity, Millstone Basin Area

Monday, February 18, 2008

Habitat for Humanity Marks a Decade of Using Pancakes to Build Houses

Volunteerism is a large part of the Habitat for Humanity efforts – so, it seems, are pancakes as this year marks the 10th annual breakfast in support of Habitat’s building efforts.

“We welcome people to get involved with Habitat. Our volunteers are the people who help us to make a difference in the community,” said Glenn Fannick, president of Habitat for Humanity Millstone Basin Area.

The upcoming annual pancake breakfast is one the many special events that helps Habitat for Humanity Millstone Basin Area continue to help area families in need. The popular breakfast will be held again this year at St. Anthony’s Church Parish Hall, Maxwell Avenue and Franklin Street (Rt. 33), Hightstown, N.J., from 8:30 am to noon, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008.

Tickets can be purchased at the door only at $6 for adults and $3 for children – with no family being charged more than $20.

According to Michelle Lewis, the chair for special events, the event is a way to raise money for Habitat’s home-building efforts in and around Hightstown and East Windsor, a way to share a great breakfast with friends and a way to keep the organization known in the community.

As in previous years, the Rev. Pat McDonnell, the pastor of the parish, has opened the doors of St. Anthony Church hall as the venue for the event.

In order to coordinate the day, many people volunteer year after year. They offer not only their time and support, but they also help in keeping the spirit of the pancake breakfast alive.

People like those from the West Windsor Lions Club who help by sponsoring a 50-50 raffle each year. Lions Mike Lynch, Harley Pickens and Shep Bell again plan to lend a helping hand in this year’s raffle. There's Marie Gerland, a representative for Perritt Labs, who will again set up a product-testing station which gathers data on such things as medicine bottle safety. HFH will receive a donation for each person who participates.

The affiliate's youth group will be raising funds by offering for sale the popular “house pin” costume jewelry as well as “my plans for Saturday” T-shirts.

Jeanne McCarthy, the former Youth United Coordinator, and her replacements Kelly Spors and Chris Newmarker are working with youth teams who will also help in set-up, the serving of meals and clean-up.

New volunteers Barbara Harrington and Natalie Livoti along with Fannick and Lewis worked to solicit sponsorship from area businesses, both new and longtime supporters. Another new volunteer, Pat Zappavigna, lent a hand with many more phone calls. Their calls, visits and emails acted as friendly reminders to help keep the event in the minds of participants, who in turn invite other people to come out.

The ads were perfectly positioned on placemats by long-time volunteer Susan Mauro Miller, of Hightstown’s Visual Media Group, who uses her professional skills in support of the organization.

Both Denise Milot and Cathy Jackson have agreed to run the actual breakfast again this year. The dynamic duo oversees the purchasing, prepping and cooking of the foods. Both Denise and Cathy have done an excellent job in the past. On the day of the event, the pair will also “spearhead the decorating and the set-up of the hall,” said Lewis. Teamwork is a vital part of the success of the pancake breakfast.

In the past years the annual pancake breakfast has brought in well-over 300 participants and organizers are hoping for a record turnout this year.

For more information about the breakfast or for ways to support the local efforts of Habitat for Humanity visit habitatmba.org or e-mail info AT habitatmba DOT org.

-- Posted by Tracy J. Tyner

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Friday, August 10, 2007

Youth United Update - August


Hi to Youth United! here's our first Build project ALERT, followed by other news updates.


IMMEDIATE NEEDS!!! THIS IS A SPECIAL BUILD HELP REQUEST FOR YOUTH 16 AND OVER!!!


1) SATURDAY MORNING ONLY, August 11 - 8:30-1PM to complete some finish work on the Moss home. We need your help to install the interior doors, paint them and install all the fixtures.


2) AUGUST WEEKDAYS - Starting this week, until the Moss home is done: our adult build supervisors are looking for youth to assist them during someweekdays between now and when school starts. Please email me <> and let me know what days and times you are available. Again, there are many final jobs for our contractors that youth can assist with.


PLATES AND PLANNING NEWS!

Youth Ages 12 and over - SAVE A SEPTEMBER SATURDAY (date to be set)

Storage clearing and moving plate collection- We would like to find youth to help clear our new storage area of build equipment some Saturday morning in September. That same day, we plan to move the plate collection to our new storage area. We will set up tables at the new storage site to package plates as they are sold.


Plate sale and packaging

I'll provide the name of our volunteer youth leader in charge of the collectors plate collection sale on eBAY. To help with the storage clearing, the plate collection move or packaging email Jeanne.



COME TO THE EVAN AVENUE HOUSE BLESSINGS!!!!

Date: Tuesday, Aug. 28th, 7-8pm


You are invited to join us for two house blessings -- Katherine Moss and family/Sharon D'Alessio and family homes are moving to completion. Please come and congratulate our newest families!!


DIRECTIONS - House Blessings - Evan Avenue, East Windsor


Directions are under Current Project Site


PARTY!! Volunteer Recogitnion -- Attend to celebrate all of our accomplishments.

When: Saturday, September 22, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Location: Elks Lodge No. 1955 110 Hickory Corner Rd, Hightstown, NJ 08520

Please contact Rosa if you and/or your group are interested inhelping with the party planning.


PREPARING FOR FALL 2007! "YOUTH ON BOARD" (16-25)

We are looking for a few youth members to join the HFH affiliate board andattend meetings, starting in the fall. We wiil have both non-voting youthboard members (16-18) and voting members (18 and over).You can help us define the new youth board member role by attending our September meeting, 2nd Thursday, September 13, at 7:30 PM at 1st United Methodist Church, 187 Stockton St., Hightstown, NJ


MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT YOUTH LEADERSHIP

Each fund rasing project for the affiliate that you, your family or groupsets out to accomplish is an opportunity to learn about and experienceleadership.


Youth United 2007-2008 Calendar and To-Do list:


  • Update the Youth United (YU) email list -- if you have new members to invite, just email Jeanne

  • Set up your own school or group fund raising goals and schedule and let us know your plans

  • Attend Youth United meetings at the monthly HFH board meeting - our affiliate events (including youth teams for spring 2008 pancake breakfast)

  • Be a motivated member of our "Youth on Board" program - plan events/helpthe board

  • READ ALERTS - keep up with our email schedule - youth will have chances tolend a hand for home rehabs and other Build Team needs- Ages 12-15 - Queenship of Mary youth will build sheds and will let us know if youth 12-15 can help with these. Again, contact me if you're interested.

  • Add YU event pictures for our website. Digital pictures are being collected, so please email me those to me.

  • Finally, continue to promote outstanding youth participation for the upcoming school year!http://www.habitatmba.org/YouthUnited.htm

Enjoy the week, and I look forward to seeing you soon! Celebrations and parties are a great way to meet other youth!!!


- filed by Jeanne McCarthy, Youth United leader

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