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PHfH in Action:
Home In a Box UPDATE!
Norm Bungard visited the area where
our Home in a Box was sent and shared his trip:
... 1502
miles and seven days after leaving home, I pulled back into my parking lot.
In the interim, I visited Habitat sites in the Katrina devastated Gulf Coast
towns of Pascagoula, Gautier (phonetically pronounced GO SHA (long o and a),
Bay St Louis and Pass Christian. Three counties; Jackson, Hancock and
Harrison. A new role in Habitat is goodwill ambassador and this was just the
chance to launch that program. I had long wanted to visit Jackson County
where Habitat Pinellas sent the HOB House in a Box that some of you worked
on. Our house has not yet been reassembled, but I visited two such houses in
Gautier, in a subdivision that will include 16 houses when complete. the
Jackson affiliate has 5 HOB completed and five in storage.
 The
Numbers
220,384 Mississippi houses damaged
345 Habitat houses being completed or underway (this figure is
on-site builds)
500 Homes in a Box sent to Katrina victims throughout the area
1250 Habitat houses to be built in Mississippi in next 3 years
for those affected by Hurricane Katrina
My first stop was in Gautier where I met Latan Griffin, the Executive
Director of Jackson Habitat and about 35 others who were working on two
houses. Several were there from Kessler AFB. It was there that I met Rebecca
Chambers Borden, her 14 year old daughter LaTyphanie and 13 year old son
Royce. Rebecca is Habitat homeowner and her story is textbook. But she is
not. Each homeowner is wonderfully unique and she has a personality and work
ethic that makes all Habitat proud. I want to tell you her story but
space and time doesn't permit it. Ask me. Phone me. Ask me to visit your
church or synagogue or civic club. You will not be disappointed. The day I
visited, Dec 2, she actually received her certificate of occupancy and she jumped for joy. She had
been in the house since Dedication. Yes, there's a story. She was very
animated throughout our hour long visit and interview. I asked what her
first thought was when she got the keys to her house. "IT'S MINE!" was the
immediate response.
Oh yes, I will share my full plate of the literal kind. I DID have wonderful
southern AND cajun food. There's several stories, including swamp cabbage at
a landmark restaurant.
More later,
Norm Bungard
HfHPC Volunteer & Advisory Board Member
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Current
Announcements:
Habitat
Pinellas Awarded $200,000 from Bank of America
 November
2006
Given to nonprofit organizations who
are working to improve their local communities and create vibrant
neighborhoods, the Neighborhood Builder Award was awarded to Habitat
Pinellas in recognition of our mission to eliminate poverty housing in
Pinellas County. In addition to $100,000 awarded annually for two years,
senior staff will participate in leadership training.
(PHOTO CAPTION: Habitat Pinellas Staff attends the award ceremony at the
Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg,)
Breaking
New Ground with the Episcopal Community
September 2006
A groundbreaking ceremony, on Saturday, September 23rd, marked the
beginning of a home for a Clearwater family of three and the start of a
partnership between Pinellas Habitat for Humanity and the
Clearwater Episcopal Deanery.
The partnership started several months ago,
when the men’s group at St. Anne of Grace in Seminole decided to build the
frame for a home as part of Pinellas Habitat’s Hurricane Katrina relief
effort, Operation Home Delivery. After presenting the idea to the 14
churches in the Deanery, 12 churches decided to team up to sponsor a home
for a family right in our Pinellas community instead.
“Never before has an entire deanery come together to do something like
this,” said Dudley Savage, St. Anne of Grace Church member and coordinator
of the Episcopal effort. “We initially wanted to build a “home in a box” for
a Katrina-affected family. The Holy Spirit had bigger plans,” he said,
explaining how the churches exceeded their $25,000 goal within two days of
fundraising. The churches went on to raise a total that well exceeds the
$50,000 cost of a house sponsorship. Additionally, site preparation work,
a/c installation and flooring have been donated.
Construction on the home for the Casey family will continue over the next
few months. The Deanery group, calling themselves Episcopalians for
Humanity, is aiming for 100 percent of the volunteer labor to be provided by
Episcopalians from the sponsoring churches. Future homeowner Michael Casey,
36, and his family also will be working on the home on Palmetto Street in
Clearwater. The Caseys were accepted into the Pinellas Habitat for
Humanity’s program in June 2004 and have been working on their 400 sweat
equity hours.
The
Episcopal churches have provided 90 percent of the funding for the home.
Episcopalian youth groups will have an opportunity to inscribe prayers on
2x4’s to be used in the construction. When the dry wall is up, everyone will
be invited to write messages on the walls & ceilings. The home will then be
painted, thus sealing it forever in prayer.
Sponsoring churches include: St. Anne of Grace, Seminole; Calvary, Indian
Rocks Beach; Church of Ascension, Clearwater; Church of the Holy Spirit,
Safety Harbor; Good Samaritan, Clearwater; Good Shepherd, Dunedin; Holy
Trinity, Clearwater; St. Alfred’s, Palm Harbor; St. Andrew, Spring Hill; St.
Dunstan, Largo; St. John’s, Clearwater; St. Martin, Hudson. The land was
donated by the City of Clearwater.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and local Lutheran
volunteers building a home with a family of African refugees
July 2006
The Gibson family home will offer a
new beginning for a family who fled from Liberia
of refugees from Liberia, and solidified the thriving partnership between Pinellas Habitat for Humanity and
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Construction on the
Gibson home will continue over the next few months, with 50 percent of the
volunteer labor provided by Pinellas County Lutherans. Thrivent Builds with
Habitat for Humanity, an alliance between the two non-profits, helps fund
homes and rouse volunteer support. The partnership with Pinellas Habitat for
Humanity is part of a nationwide partnership that will fund 312 homes in the
United States this year.
Pinellas Habitat for Humanity volunteers build their first “Home in Box” for
survivors
 July 2006
Pinellas Habitat for Humanity donors and volunteers built a
“Home in a Box” on Saturday, July 8th for a
Mississippi family who weathered Hurricane Katrina, the costliest and most
deadly hurricane to hit the US. Pinellas Habitat for Humanity’s
first
“Home in a Box”
is part of Habitat International’s Operation Home Delivery, a Katrina
recovery effort to provide financial assistance to Gulf Coast Habitat
affiliates. Unlike first-response organizations, like the Red Cross,
Habitat’s efforts focus on recovery and rebuilding. Construction is
dependent on an infrastructure to support workers, families and communities.
Starting at 8 am with a pile of wood and nails, the three-bedroom, 1,092
square-foot home was assembled for fit, disassembled and packed
for shipment to a Jackson County, Miss. Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
Special thanks to all of our volunteers and supporters, including the
Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers and Raymond James Financial for
offering their parking lot for the build.
Read a letter from Habitat for Humanity of Jackson County, Mississippi
 Pinellas
Habitat Closes on Land Purchase for Largest-Ever Multi-Unit Project
June 16, 2006
Pinellas
Habitat for Humanity closed on a 2.6 acre parcel of land after eighteen
months of negotiations. Part of the former Highlander Village, a HUD housing
project, the land is the largest and one of the first to be
purchased by
Pinellas Habitat that is not a single lot in an established neighborhood.
A negotiated sale
with Housing and Urban Development through the Dunedin Housing Authority,
Pinellas Habitat purchased the land under its appraised market value using
grant money from Pinellas County Community Development. Pinellas Habitat plans to build a minimum of 18 affordable housing units.
The Housing Authority received a grant for the demolition of the former
housing project on Howell Street, but no funds to rebuild. By partnering
with Pinellas Habitat, the land will remain part of the affordable housing
pool and will address the authority and city commissioners’ desire to
provide home ownership opportunities to low income families for less than
$150,000. The partnership is the first with the city of Dunedin, echoing
partnerships Pinellas Habitat has formed with other Pinellas County cities.
 Blitz
Builders Accomplish Their Goal
June 2006
New Millennial Homes set out to
construct the 133rd Habitat Home in one week! Ready for a hectic week,
building sponsor New Millennial Homes was out at the crack of dawn to
start construction for the Habitat for Humanity Home Builders Blitz. The
whirlwind build was non-stop ever since. Pinellas Habitat is one of nine
Florida Affiliates participating in the nationwide build that is the single
largest blitz in Habitat International's 30 year history.
Click here for Blitz
pics.
Giving This Stuff a New Home
May 2006
 Signs are popping up around the county
announcing deconstruction projects. Ninety-four volunteers signed up for the
latest project and spent time removing cabinets and appliances to be donated
to and sold at Habitat Outlet. Find out more about deconstruction projects
at our volunteer page.
Welcoming a Sponsor
January 4 2006
 The
Pinellas Realtor Organization (PRO) Foundation Board has voted to sponsor
the construction of a Pinellas Habitat for Humanity home in 2006. Over the
years we have received support from PRO member realtors and many of our
volunteers are realtors, but this is the first time that the Pinellas
Realtor Organization has sponsored a house. Realty Executives supports local
Habitat affiliates nationwide and Coldwell Banker has already sponsored two
houses in Pinellas County.
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Newsletters: PHfH
publications summarize the accomplishments of the Affiliate, reaffirm
its mission, announce near-term goals and plans, honor outstanding
contributions and achievements, and confirm our continuing efforts to
eliminate poverty housing in Pinellas County by building decent,
affordable homes for those in need.
"Habitat Visions", Winter 2005
"Habitat Visions", Spring 2005
"Habitat Visions", Winter 2004
"Habitat Visions", Spring 2004
The newsletters are stored in PDF
format, and can only be viewed with
Acrobat Reader. This program is free. If you don't yet have it on your
computer, you can download and install it by clicking on the following button:
Financials:
Pinellas Habitat 2006-2005
Habitat Pinellas 2007-2006 |
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Habitat In the News:
View recent articles about
Pinellas Habitat for Humanity that have appeared in our local media outlets.
December 21, 2005 -
Pinellas County Commissioners make decision on Mobile Home Parks
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Read the Story
September 30, 2005
- Editorial about Pinellas Habitat for Humanity purchasing land
in Dunedin, FL -
Read the Story
September 15, 2005
- The Dunedin Housing Authority has reached a tentative
agreement to sell part of its land to Pinellas Habitat for Humanity
to build up to 30 town homes.
Read the Story
June 28, 2005 -
Pinellas Habitat's newest
homeowners, the Brown family, are interviewed in this St. Pete Times
story.
Read the Story
June 13, 2005 -
Pinellas Habitat's newest homeowners, the Rutledge family, are
interviewed in this St. Pete Times story.
Read the story
April 18, 2005,
The 130 in 130 Blitz Build is featured on local TV
stations.
See WTSP-TV feature story
See WFTS-TV coverage.
February, 2005,
Article in the Florida Catholic.
Read the
Story
February 20, 2005,
Article in the Perspective Section regarding Habitat
International's firing of Habitat founder
Millard Fuller. Click
here
for a response to the article from Pinellas Habitat for Humanity.
February 3, 2005,
Pinellas Habitat for Humanity is featured in a story in the Tampa
Bay Business Journal.
Read the
Story
February 2, 2005,
An article on the theft of our equipment trailer appears in the
St. Petersburg Times.
Read the Story
February, 2005,
The Pinellas Habitat for Humanity Outlet Store Grand Opening is
featured in the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce Community & Commerce
publication. Read the Story
January 23, 2005,
An editorial letter is printed in the St. Petersburg Times,
commemorating our 20th Anniversary.
Read the Letter
January 22, 2005,
The Tampa Tribune features Pinellas Habitat for Humanity on its
editorial page. Read the Story
and
See the Cartoon
December, 2004,
An article on the Habitat Outlet store appears in Pinellas Life
Magazine. Read the Story
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Past Announcements:
December 8 2005
PHfH was chosen as a finalist for Tampa Bay Business Journal's
Non-Profit Business of the Year. Unfortunately for us the final accolade was
given to Lisa Eichenholtz Memorial Fund Inc.
at a gala dinner on Thursday 8th. PHfH will apply for
consideration again in 2006.
November 29 2005
PHfH dedicates it's 126th home, for the Blount family. The
Warrick Dunn
Foundation provided $5000 for the deposit and furnished the home
with the assistance of local suppliers.
June 29 2005
We held a Ground Breaking Ceremony at 759 15th Ave S in St.
Petersburg. This home is being built for the Odom family.
Thanks to Coldwell Banker for sponsoring this home!
June 25 2005
We dedicated our 124th and 125th homes at 4887 & 4897 163rd Ave
N in High Point. These are the new homes of the Cabrera and
Brown families. Thanks to Honeywell Women's Council for
sponsoring the home at 4887 163rd Ave N!
June 4 2005
We dedicated our 123rd home at 612 S Grosse Ave in Tarpon
Springs for the Rutledge family. Thanks to Macaroni Grill from
sponsoring this home. This home was dedicated in honor of
Marlene Murray.
June 4 2005
The Youth United Program of Pinellas Habitat for Humanity will
held a reception and gallery night to start the bidding on artwork
donated to Habitat by local youth artists. You can view and
bid on the artwork on our website the entire month of June.
For more information click
here.
May 21 2005
We dedicated our 121st and 122nd homes in Pinellas County.
The ceremony started at 10:30 at 2967 Fairfield Avenue South in St.
Petersburg. After the blessing of that home for the Nichols
family we went to 2849 6th Avenue South in St. Petersburg to bless
that home for the Frederick family. Thanks to HomeBanc and
Financial Services Roundtable for sponsoring these homes!
April 18-30 2005
Pinellas Habitat for Humanity 130 in 130 Blitz Build!
We blitz built our 130th home in Pinellas County in 130 hours!
About 50 people came out to celebrate with the Miller family at the
dedication of their new home.
More information
April 23 2005
The North Pinellas Habitat for Humanity Beach Party was held at
Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs. We all had a ton of fun.
Be on the look out for information on next year's Beach Party!
More information
March 12 2005
We dedicated a home for the Zamora family at 7825 53rd Way
in Pinellas Park. This home was sponsored in honor of E.Z.
and Arlene Jackson's 40th wedding anniversary and the land was
donated by the City of Pinellas Park.
February 3 2005
Pinellas Habitat for Humanity is featured in a story in the Tampa
Bay Business Journal.
See story
January 22 2005
Pinellas Habitat for Humanity celebrated our 20th anniversary
with a donor and volunteer recognition event.
For story, follow this link.
January 16-22 2005
We celebrated Building on Faith Week! During that week we
partnered with local congregation on a week long build. Thanks
to everyone who participated for making the week a success!
December 18 2004
We dedicated a home for the Linder
family at 1240 Melrose Avenue South in St. Petersburg. Thanks
to Publix Super Markets Charities and St. Petersburg Neighborhood
Housing Services for sponsoring this home.
December 8-11 2004
We had the Grand Opening Celebration for
the Habitat Outlet Store. We were very pleased with the turn
out and the feedback we have received from the community. The
Outlet store is now open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from
9:00-4:00.
November 13th 2004
We dedicated our 117th home for the Watkins family at 1136 13th
Avenue South in St. Petersburg (Map).
Representative Leslie Waters came to express her congratulations and
her support for Pinellas Habitat for Humanity.
November 6th 2004
The Youth United Walk-A-Thon was held at Taylor Park, 1100 8th Ave,
SW, Largo
(Map). Youth and adults from all over the county
participated to help raise over $2,000 for the Youth United Program,
which is designed to encourage youth to raise the money to sponsor
and build a Habitat house.
October 23rd 2004
We had a groundbreaking ceremony for the Homebanc sponsored
house at
2967 Fairfield Avenue South in St. Petersburg. This home
is being built for the Nichols family.
October 16th 2004
13th annual "Building Dreams" auction at the historic Gulfport
Casino. Macaroni Grill provided a wonderful dinner and
Halewood International/DS Trading USA provided the wine.
Thanks to everyone who attended for making the event such a success!
October 9th 2004
Wall raising ceremony for the
612 Grosse Avenue home in Tarpon Springs. This home is
sponsored by Romano's Macaroni Grill in honor of Marlene Murray.
October 2nd 2004
Groundbreaking ceremony for a home at
2849 6th Avenue South, St. Petersburg. Thanks to AmSouth,
Raymond James, Mass Mutual, Wachovia, State Farm, Florida National
Bank, and Aegon for 1/2 sponsorship of this home.
September 25th 2004
We dedicated our 116th house in Pinellas County at
2880 6th Avenue South in St. Petersburg for the Green
Family. Thanks to Cox Target Media/Valpak for sponsoring this
home! The land was donated by the City of St. Petersburg.
August 28, 2004
We dedicated our 115th home for the Dixon family on 909 Metto St in
Clearwater. This house was sponsored by Cox Target Media/Valpak.
The land was donated by the City of Clearwater.
June 26 2004
We dedicated our 114th home for the Ward family on 7801 53rd Way in
Pinellas Park. This house was sponsored by Northside Hospital &
Heart Institute/HCA. The land was donated by the City of Pinellas
Park
June 12 2004
We dedicated our 113th home for the Cabarris family on 1700 20th St.
South in St. Petersburg
May 29 2004
Dedicated our 112th home for the Riggins family on 3518 20th Ave.
South in St. Petersburg
May 22 2004
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Linder family on 1240 Melrose Ave.
South in St. Petersburg. This home is sponsored by Publix and St.
Petersburg Neighborhood Housing Services. The land was donated by
the City of St. Petersburg.
April 24 2004
The 4th annual Beach Party was held at Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs.
This event raised more than $17,000!
March 6,2004
We dedicate our 110th and 111th homes for the Sullivan and Farmer
families on Melrose Avenue South in St. Petersburg.
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