We are honored by the encouragement of our community and want you to know about the great work your support has accomplished.

Despite a time of economic hardship, Athens Area Habitat was able to expand our services and broaden our impact. This steady expansion and ever growing list of families served is not only a testament to the vital role of our programs, but also a demonstration of the dedication our community has to positive change.

We have great plans for 2010 including beginning a new Habitat neighborhood of seven homes, an apartment complex renovation that will provide affordable housing options to a currently underserved income bracket, expanded events, and much more.

Consider making a tax deductible donation to Athens Area Habitat for Humanity to celebrate the accomplishments of 2009 and encourage the development of 2010. Together, we can impact our community in a significant way.

Athens Area Habitat wishes you well as we move into the New Year and look forward to working in partnership to better our community one family at a time.

Upcoming Events:

• Committee of 1,000 Celebration: January 28, 2010 (6:30pm – 8:30pm). Join the Committee of 1,000 to attend. Don’t forget to RSVP by January 20, 2010!
• Home Is Where The Heart Is Art Auction: February 18, 2010 (5:30pm – 7:30pm)
• Home & Garden Show: February 27 & 28, 2010
• Run/Walk for Home 5K: April 2, 2010

2009 Year In Review:

• Committee of 1,000: Built the first ever Committee of 1,000 Home, which was partially funded by the members of the 2008 and 2009 supporters. The Rahming Family thanks all the Committee of 1,000 Members for making their home a reality!
• Won Most Original Float in the Downtown Parade of Lights
• Began work on Carpenter’s Circle development, with home construction to begin February 2010.
• Completed first ReHOUSE project
• Initiated ReNew Athens
• The Silver & Archibald Run/Walk for Home 5k presented in partnership with the Athens Area Homeless Shelter raised over $8,000 towards a new home.
• The EHARP completed 17 ramps.
• A Brush With Kindness completed 10 emergency home repairs.
• The 2nd Annual Move to Improve Block Party brought together community members and organizations to celebrate National Homeownership Month
• Athens Area Habitat participated in the Community Service Expo offering new service opportunities and cultivating approximately 200 interested volunteers
• Athens Area Habitat celebrated 21 years of serving the community with a benefit show.
• The (k)larity Group Race for the Dream 5k engaged over 200 participants in supporting the affordable housing mission
• The 2nd Annual Jittery Joe’s Fall Classic Century expanded into a Fall Festival with a festival, vendors, and more.
• Partnerships created with: H&R Block, Housing for Housing, Athens Transit, Fairway Outdoor Advertising, Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support, Comcast, Tate Print & Copy , Sigma Chi
• First Annual ReStore Commercial Contest resulted in many creative entries and two featured commercials.
• Congratulations to our 2009 Habitat Homeowners: Diala Rahming, Katrina Smith, Kendra Beck, and Tina Steele
• A dynamic workforce of over 3,000 volunteers utilized throughout the year

Well it was back out to Howard Dr to finish up a few details on a combo wheel chair Ramp / Brush with Kindness project. Stacey (a long time NC HFH regular) and Mike (a soon to be Athens HFH regular) replaced a wooden porch which surely would have been a health hazard if left to rott much longer. I watched from a distance as they calculated rises, runs, landing distance and compound angled cuts. You would have thought they had been building stairs their entire careers! Way to set the bar for your future Habitat assignments guys... Thanks for coming out in the cold and slush to make a real difference in someone else's life.

Winter Solstice Monday: Facts on First Day of Winter

Monday is the winter solstice and the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It's all due to Earth's tilt, which ensures that the shortest day of every year falls around December 21. But it's not all about astronomy.

During the winter solstice the sun hugs closer to the horizon than at any other time during the year, yielding the least amount of daylight annually. On the bright side, the day after the winter solstice marks the beginning of lengthening days leading up to the summer solstice.

"Solstice" is derived from the Latin phrase for "sun stands still."

The solstices occur twice a year (around December 21 and June 21), because Earth is tilted by an average of 23.5 degrees as it orbits the sun—the same phenomenon that drives the seasons.

During the warmer half of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, the North Pole is tilted toward the sun. The northern winter solstice occurs when the "top" half of Earth is tilted away from the sun at its most extreme angle of the year. But, though the winter solstice is essentially the darkest day of the year, it's not the coldest.

Read more about the Winter Solstice here.

(by Brian Handwerk for National Geographic News)

Build Site Update 12/19:

The build is still on! Please delay your arrival until 10am tomorrow.

Call the office with any questions regarding the build.

GoodSearch for Athens Area Habitat!

What if Athens Area Habitat earned a donation every time you searched the Internet? It can!

GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up!

Just go to www.goodsearch.com and be sure to enter Athens Area Habitat for Humanity as the charity you want to support. And, be sure to spread the word!

ReStore Hot Item of the Week:

This dining table and chair set are a match made in heaven! The chairs are still wrapped and the glass table shines like new! This table and chair set will modernize any kitchen or dining room!

Come on and check it out!

Mention this posting and receive 10% off. Please visit
Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.
We are located at 532 Barber Street (across from the tracks)
Athens, GA 30603

When it gets near the end of a build, it's always a challenge to effectively employ 13 hard working, horse riding carpenters. As fast as I could come up with a task, the UGA equestrian team completed it (and correctly I might add). We cleaned the lot, sorted the lumber pile, finished the siding, added decking and railing to the porch, graded for proper drainage and generally got the house to its final form. After Bo gets a driveway and some plants in the ground over the next few weeks, this one will have a fork stuck in it. Thanks go out to McAllisters Deli for supplying the yummy sustenance for Saturday's build!

--Tom

Athens Area Habitat wins Most Original Float at the Downtown Parade of Lights!

Thank you to the volunteers who helped with this fun project!

The Annual Holiday Benevolence Market will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6 from noon to 3 p.m. at First Christian Church in downtown Athens-Clarke County. It's a free event where 'shoppers' can go from booth to booth and make donations to various organizations in the community. It's a great one-stop shop if you're thinking about giving back during the holidays.

The Athens Annual Holiday Benevolence Market brings together 13 area congregations and more than 30 local non-profit agencies in a collaborative effort to raise funds, increase awareness and spread holiday cheer throughout the community.

UGA Habitat for Humanity presents the 10th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk:

Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 9:00 AM

Registration: Race Day registration is $20 per person. There will only be a limited supply of
shirts for late and race day registration so arrive early. Packet pick up begins at 8:00 AM.

Where: Stegeman Coliseum parking lot, UGA Campus

Course: Start and Finish located at Stegeman Coliseum. Course on UGA Campus, contains paved roads. Course map available race day.

Refreshments: Provided after the race.

Questions: Contact Justin Bargeron by email at jb2020@uga.edu

Proceeds benefit UGA Habitat for Humanity

Join us tonight at 7:00pm for the Downtown Parade of Lights.

Come see Athens Area Habitat’s float (and many others) which supports this year’s theme of “A Gift from the Heart.”

Annually, more than 60 entries compete for such prizes as "Most Original Float," "Best Use of Theme," and "Best Use of Lights." The award,"Most Spirited!" is judged during the parade itself, and the best overall float will receive the "Mayor's Award."

The parade begins on the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets ending in front of City Hall for the traditional tree lighting ceremony, hosted by none other than Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The results are in! Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry to the 1st Annual Athens Habitat for Humanity Restore Commercial Contest! We were thrilled with the participation and all of the creative entries, but there can only be one winner. Based on student voting, the results are:

1st place: "Habitat Hunt"

2nd place: "Be Our Guests"

3rd place: "Superheroes"

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity wishes you a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Think you know all about Thanksgiving? Check out some fun facts, find out how football became a part of thanksgiving, and learn more about the first Thanksgiving courtesy of the History Channel.

ReStore Hot Item of the Week:

Christmas is coming soon! Don't forget about the ReStore when you are shopping for Christmas decor. We have Christmas tress, stockings, lights, garland, and more! Mention this posting and receive 10% off your purchase.

The ReStore is located at 532 Barber Street in Athens.

A View From The Builder: Tom's Blog

The past few weeks have been filled with progress on multiple projects. Beau is nearing completion on the new house for the Rahming family and I've been trying to knock out some of the Brush with Kindness jobs that have stacked up like a cord of wood in my office. We had a fantastic group of UGA students on Saturday to help re-roof a house for a needy family while others built a new front porch. Like Marlon Perkins and Jim Fowler of the Wild Kingdom show, uber-volunteer David lead the roof crew while I watched from the safety of the front yard.

Later in the week, I was joined by my always faithful intern, Katie who has been transforming the Habitat Homecoming float into a Christmas float along with Tom, Jessica and Adam. I appreciate all of your efforts tremendously (since painting is my least favorite activity after roofing).

Volunteers rock!

--Tom

ReStore Hot Item of the Week:

This great dresser is in excellent condition and selling for only $175. Hurry in today! Mention this posting and receive 10% off.

*Item must be purchased in person at the ReStore

We are located at...

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber St (across the tracks)
Athens, GA 30603

1st Annual Commercial Contest: Deadline extended to Monday, November 16th @ 5:00pm.

It's not too late! Use this weekend to create a commercial for the ReStore. The winning commercial will air on tv!

The rules: No longer than 29.5 seconds for TV purposes. Humor usually receives the most attention, but is not a necessity. Please keep content clean. DVD's are preferred. Drop off videos at the Habitat for Humanity office located at 532 Barber St. Athens, GA. 30606. Along with video, please provide both an e-mail address and phone number. The contest is open to anyone!

1st Place - $60 Cash Card. Plus, commercial will be aired on local Athens, Ga. TV.

2nd Place - $40 Cash Card

3rd Place - $20 Cash Card

Have questions? E-mail wgwalker16(at)gmail.com.

This contest is put on by students in Leadership MGMT 5980. Management Majors of the Terry College of Business. University of Georgia.

It's Friday the Thirteenth!

Check out this informative article from the Red & Black for a little history behind the superstition!

The general consensus is... Bunco Night was tons of fun!

We had lots of beginners mixed with seasoned pros which made for a lively bunch of ladies! Thank you to everyone who came out and made this event such a success. Due to popular demand, be on the lookout for another Bunco Night presented by Women Build.

I had the pleasure of "having" to play to even out a table and I had an absolute blast. It was my first time playing and now I am hooked! I wanted to personally thank everyone for making the event so much fun. It was truly a pleasure meeting each and every one of you. And thank you to my partners who helped me work my way up the ladder from that last table!

- Laura Dempsey

Thank you to our food sponsors:

Marti's at Midday, Hilltop Grille, Ike & Jane, Dondero's Kitchen, Mama's Boy, Shiraz.

Thank you to our prize sponsors:

Arbor Salon & Spa, Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast, Athens YMCA, Five & Ten, UGA Alumni Association, Phickles

We were Spotted! Check out more photos courtesy of the Athens Banner Herald.

Bunco Night was presented by Women Build. Click here to find out more about the Women Build program!

Bunco Night is here! and its not too late to sign up...

Registration is $25 per person and includes wine, food, and a chance to win some fantastic prizes! Register as a table of four and receive a discount.

Call 706-208-1001, visit www.AthensHabitat.com/WomenBuild or just show up tonight to register!

In addition to bunco prizes, we will be raffling some great items. Raffle tickets are only $10 a piece (or 3 for $25). Check out these terrific prizes!

Free night stay at Hotel Indigo
$50 gift certificate to Arbor Salon & Spa
Free facial by Mickey Wisenbaker at Arbor Salon & Spa
Free night stay at Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast
3 month membership to Athens YMCA
$50 gift certificate Five & Ten
UGA Holiday serving platter courtesy of UGA Alumni Association
"Bark Like you Mean It" t-shirts courtesy of UGA Alumni Association
UGA rolling cooler
Beauty basket from Heery's Too

Bunco is a breeze to learn, so whether this is your first time playing or a regular event with friends, join us tonight for a fun evening at the Taylor Grady House (634 Prince Ave) at 6:00pm .

It's Veterans Day!

A little history:

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” - officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars."

In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.

The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

(via the United States Department of Veteran Affairs)

Homecoming Parade:

(photo via the Red & Black)

(Photo via Athens Banner Herald)

The eagerly anticipated annual Homecoming parade is here! The parade kicks off at 6pm downtown Athens.

Watch for the Habitat for Humanity float and give us a big cheer! We'll be tossing candy, t-shirts, and other goodies!

ReStore Hot Item of the Week:

This decorative bedroom set is in awesome condition and in need of a nice home! Selling for only $450 and it includes: matching dresser, cabinet, end table, headboard, bedrails, mattress and box spring. Mention this posting and receive 10% off. Visit the ReStore to check availability of this item.

A View From The Builder: Tom's Blog

I guess it was only fitting that on Halloween, it would be Ms. Moon that brought out a group of the finest students from Clarke Central to paint a Habitat house. As most can attest, painting (especially priming) is about as much fun as a trip to the dentist but these students attacked their task with youthful energy and positive attitudes. Singing echoed throughout the house which made those working on carpentry projects outside in the pouring rain want to keep going. If anyone doubts the character of high school aged kids these days, you need to be around a group like this one. The last thing heard while packing up was "Ms. Moon, may we do this again?" And with that, volunteering just became a part of their lives forever. Get hooked and come build with Habitat!

--Tom

Mr. Green catches attention in the Athens Banner Herald:

View an audio slideshow of Mr. Green at work

A chair with a broken seat, another missing a leg and a cradle with splintered wood held together by metal clamps take up most of the space on Lee Green's work bench.

He pushes aside sandpaper, a can of varnish, nails and bits of broken molding to reach the wood glue he needs to fix the latest project he's working on.

It's Green's own little slice of heaven.

"I wake up just to come here in the morning," said Green, 56. "This is an awesome job, because it's right down my alley."

Green began working at ReStore, the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity's thrift store, three months ago thanks to an Athens Community Council on Aging program that places older people at nonprofits and government agencies to be trained for new jobs.

The program is open to citizens 55 and older, though its funding stipulates that the program give first consideration to veterans and the disabled.
Green had a stroke in 2006.

"It all fit together perfectly," said Michelle Brinson, the director of the Senior Community Service Employment Program. Because the program aims to place older workers in "green" jobs that match a client's work history, skills and interests, Brinson thought Habitat's ReStore was the perfect place for Green.

Green uses building materials like scrap wood to fix broken pieces of furniture that will sell at up to 90 percent of their retail value.

"I normally try not to spend too much time on one piece," Green said. "I only work four hours a day. If it's real bad, I just say, 'Hey, I'll use this piece to fix something else.' "

The thrift store kept 150 tons of reusable material out of landfills last year, according to Spencer Frye, Athens Area Habitat for Humanity executive director.

ReStore accepts a variety of donations, from books and clothes to furniture and building materials. "It's a place where the community can donate lots of things and also buy items that might otherwise be in a landfill," Frye said. "A lot of our customers are low-income clientele, so it kind of provides a dual service to the community that we're trying to help."

ReStore is good for two reasons - it helps keep useable items out of the landfill, while making money for Habitat - and Green's work helps both of those goals.

Green's work allows ReStore to accept more items - things that are used to the point that they need a little work to be valuable again - and make already useful items more attractive for sale at the 12,000-square-foot warehouse on Barber Street, according to Frye.

Green moved to Athens at 20, when the Job Corps sent him here to help build the University of Georgia's library. He later worked installing custom cabinets at Athens Lumber Co. He now uses those skills every day.

"Mr. Green - even though he's elderly - has got a lot to give to the community," Frye said. "He has transformed the way that store operates."

Each of the pieces of furniture that Green has worked on sport a bright green tag that lets people know the furniture has been repaired. They even bear his name.

"With the tags, we can show the board of directors how much Mr. Green saved from the landfills and how much money he generated for Habitat projects," Frye said.

Green is hoping those numbers will help him secure a permanent place at ReStore.
"I love it here," he said. "I'm tickled to death every day that I get to give things a second life like I have."

ReStore is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. To learn more about the Senior Community Service Employment Program, visit the Web site www.accaging.org.

(By Jennifer L. Johnson via ABH)

ReStore Hot Item:

Visit the ReStore to see this beautiful dresser in great condition. This item has been refurbished by Mr. Green. Mention this posting and recieve 10% off! Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

Sometimes that flipping of the calendar gets the better of us, but Bunco Night is coming up soon!

The Women Build Program of Athens Area Habitat for Humanity will host a Bunco Night on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 6pm to 9pm at the Taylor Grady House.

Registration is $25 per person and includes food and a drink ticket (alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Sign up as an individual or register a full table to receive a discount! Bunco is a simple dice game that can be learned in minutes, so beginners are welcome. Whether this is the first time playing Bunco or a regular event with friends, everyone is welcome for night of fun to support the Women Build Program.

The Bunco Night is part of the initiative “Investing In Our Community” to raise a full house sponsorship this year.

More about Women Build here.

A View From The Builder: Tom's Blog

After a few weeks of rainy, soggy days we finally scored a big break and had a fantastic build opportunity this Saturday. Members of Sigma Phi Epsilon, students from the UGA Law school and a few "turbo-volunteers" came out in force to put the vinyl siding on the Rahming house. Thanks to some good starter courses and prep work by Bo's team the previous week, we were able to put about 75% of the siding up with zero ladder or hammer mishaps! You kept smiles on your faces while making professional quality work look easy. Go Builder Dawgs!

--Tom

Special thank you to Stevie B's Pizza for providing lunch to the hardworking volunteers.

1st Annual Athens Habitat for Humanity Restore Commercial Contest:

Create and send in a 29.5 second commercial promoting the Habitat Restore.

The rules: No longer than 29.5 seconds for TV purposes. Humor usually receives the most attention, but is not a necessity. Please keep content clean. DVD's are preferred. Drop off videos at the Habitat for Humanity office located at 532 Barber St. Athens, GA. 30606. Along with video, please provide both an e-mail address and phone number.

The contest is open to anyone!

Entries Due November 15, 2009.

1st Place - $60 Cash Card. Plus, commercial will be aired on local Athens, Ga. TV.

2nd Place - $40 Cash Card

3rd Place - $20 Cash Card

Have questions? E-mail wgwalker16(at)gmail.com.

This contest is put on by students in Leadership MGMT 5980. Management Majors of the Terry College of Business. University of Georgia.

ATO Fundraiser: http://www.smartestbulldog.com/ato

ATO alumni have launched a new trivia game website featuring UGA football information. For every person who signs up here they will donate $1 towards the funding of a Habitat home.

Try it today! Compete against others to win prizes and stay high on the leader board!

Remember that community fundraising effort by Taqueria La Parilla?

During the month of September, Taqueria La Parilla raised $3,004.87 for Athens Area Habitat for Humanity. All of these proceeds benefit affordable housing efforts in this community. Thank you to everyone who visited their restaurant during September and enjoyed their delicious food.

And thanks again to Taqueria La Parilla for investing in their community!

The 2nd Annual Jittery Joe's Fall Classic Century was a success!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Jittery Joe's Fall Classic Century and Fall Festival. The rain couldn't deter all the dedicated riders who enjoyed the scenic route and we were fortunate to be able to move the entire Fall Festival (including the moonwalk) into Terrapin!

A special thank you to all the community partners who made this event a reality:

Terrapin, Jittery Joe's, Buffalo's Southwestern Cafe, Swagger Inc, The Hub Bikes, Women Build, Tifosi, the Athens Banner Herald, Flagpole, The Oconee Leader, Old Guard Graphics, Wells Fargo, Silver and Archibald, PowerBar, ReTool, TSE Construction and Management

Check out Spotted photos from the Athens Banner Herald!

Don't worry, it's not too late to register.

You can still register for the Jittery Joe's Fall Classic Century!

Registration opens at 8:30AM on Saturday, Oct. 17th. Registration is $35 per person and includes a t-shirt and Terrapin Beer tour (21+) or a water bottle.

Members from the UGA Equestrian Team came out this past Saturday to volunteer on a the job site. This hardworking group helped with roofing and many other tasks to help complete this Habitat home.

Special thanks to Subway on Lumpkin St for donating lunch to these hardworking volunteers!

Register today and save!

Pre-registration for the Jittery Joe's Fall Classic Century ends tomorrow!

Two course options (62 mile and 31 mile), Family Fun Ride (6 miles, only $10 for everyone in the family), Terrapin Beer Tour, Velo Swap, Family Fall Festival with t-shirt tie dying, a moonwalk, cookie decorating, bean bag toss, ladder golf, popcorn, music by 4EverBlue, food by Buffalo's Cafe, prizes, games, and more!

Register here today!

Don't worry if you miss the pre-registration deadline, as always, you can register on the day of the event as well.

Brought to you by:

Athens Area Habitat, Jittery Joe's, Terrapin Beer Co, The Hub Bikes, Swagger Inc, Buffalo's Southwest Cafe

Sponsored By:

PowerBar, Old Guard Graphics, Tifosi, Athens Banner Herald, Flagpole, The Oconee Leader, ReTool, Silver & Archibald, Eberhardt & Hale, TSE Construction & Management, Wells Fargo, Barron's Rental

RESTORE HOT ITEM OF THE WEEK:

This red leather chair is in great condition and selling for only $25! It is the perfect chair to sit, relax, and enjoy some football on TV! Mention this posting and receive 10% off. Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

Thinking about volunteering? Check out this video!

Video services donated by Video Atlanta.

In 1985 the United Nations declared the first Monday in October “World Habitat Day” in order to recognize the vast housing need in cities around the world. Habitat for Humanity knows that good housing is key to helping a child turn into a productive adult. Now more than ever we need your support. Habitat for Humanity has a tried and tested partnership approach that makes families in need of shelter a key part of their own housing solution.

• 10 million people die each year from substandard housing and living conditions.

• A child in inadequate housing is 10 times more likely to contract meningitis, respiratory problems or asthma than his or her counterparts in adequate housing.

• Children living in overcrowded conditions are less likely to graduate from high school.

We work hard with volunteers and donors who invest time and money into the partnership—so that families in need of housing can help build, then buy, their own home on terms they can afford. Habitat for Humanity uses World Habitat Day as a call to action for individuals and organizations to change the reality of poverty housing and to work together to find housing solutions for those in need. On this year’s World Habitat Day, we urge you to consider how you can further engage in the solution, particularly in terms of supporting our mission.

Maybe you’ll be moved to:

• Join our email list and gather information to become an online advocate and receive alerts regarding how you can help speak up for those whose housing plights so often go unheard.

• Contact our Public Outreach Director to find out how to be involved.

• Make a donation to Athens Area Habitat

At Habitat for Humanity we know that we alone cannot end poverty housing. It will take collaborative efforts from the public, private and nonprofit sectors in order to deliver serious impact. Your support will make a difference. With your help we can change the reality for future generations in our community and around the globe.

RESTORE HOT ITEM OF THE WEEK:

This retro couch is in great condition! Mention this posting and receive 10% off. Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

A View From The Builder: Tom's Blog

During and after the great flood of 2009, Habitat folks completed a long overdue "Brush With Kindness" project. The roof we repaired for a well-deserving family was successfully leak tested under the wettest skies of the year. German volunteer Lars, renamed the program to "A Brush with Pain" after putting in a couple of new sky lights with his feet. He survived (thanks to a well placed nail and rafter), the home owner is sleeping indoors again and I have gained a new found respect for professional roofers. On to the next mission!

--Tom

September is almost over!

Don't forget that for all of September Taqueria La Parilla will donate a percentage of their sales to Athens Area Habitat! Be sure to stop by early this week!




Check out two locations!

Athens
2439 Jefferson Road
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-4977

Watkinsville
1431 Capital Avenue #101
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 310-999

Happy Fall Equinox! It's officially the first day of fall!

The September Equinox explained

What happens during the September equinox?

The sun crosses the celestial equator and moves southward in the northern hemisphere during the September equinox. The location on the earth where the sun is directly overhead at solar noon is known as the subsolar point. The subsolar point occurs on the equator during the September equinox and March equinox. At that time, the earth’s axis of rotation is perpendicular to the line connecting the centers of the earth and the sun. This is the time when many people believe that the earth experiences 12 hours of day and night. However, this is not exactly the case.

Dispelling the “exactly 12 hours of daylight” myth
It is important to note that day and night during the September equinox is not exactly equal length. During the time of the September and March equinoxes many regions around the equator have a daylight length of about 12 hours and six-and-a-half minutes. Moreover, the day is slightly longer in places that are further away from the equator and the sun takes longer to rise and set in these locations.

According to the US Naval Observatory the dates of “equal” day and night occur about February 25 and October 15 at a latitude of five degrees in the northern hemisphere. They occur around March 17 and September 26 at a latitude of 40 degrees. On the dates of the equinoxes, the day is about seven minutes longer than the night at latitudes up to about 25 degrees, increasing to 10 minutes or more at a latitude of 50 degrees.

Historical Fact
A Greek astronomer and mathematician named Hipparchus (ca. 190-ca.120 BCE) was known for discovering the precession of the equinoxes, the slow movement among the stars of the two opposite places where the sun crosses the celestial equator. Hipparchus made observations of the equinox and solstice. Astronomers use the spring equinoctial point to define their frame of reference, and the movement of this point implies that the measured position of a star varies with the date of measurement. Hipparchus also compiled a star catalogue, but this has been lost.

The word “equinox” derives from the Latin words meaning “equal night” and refers to the time when the sun crosses the equator. In modern times this word is used to refer not only to the positions on the ecliptic but also the times of the year when the sun has reached them. The September equinox has been used as a reference point in many calendars in the past, including the French Revolutionary Calendar. Although very little is known about the ancient Macedonian calendar, some believe that the first month began after the autumnal equinox.

(via.)

UPDATE: Build for Saturday 9/19
will be rained out.

Thank you for your eagerness to volunteer but
please do not make the trip to the build site in
the rain! Contact volunteer@athenshabitat.com
to reschedule your time with us.

Call the office at 706.208.1001 if you have any
questions.

Happy Birthday Ms. Peggy!















Athens Area Habitat would like to wish Ms. Peggy a wonderful birthday! She is one of our most dedicated volunteers and you have likely met her if you've been to the ReStore. Thank you, Ms. Peggy, for all of your smiles and support!

Athens Area Habitat is with the times. It's never been easier to follow our upcoming events and contact us! Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and AIM (BuildLouder).

A View From The Builder: Tom's Blog

Five of UGA's finest came out to support AAHFH this Saturday. With smiles on their faces, they attacked the long neglected ReStore parking lot and lawn. They removed debris from long ago builds, cut down limbs that were starting to take over half of the parking spots and spread 2 truckloads of mulch to create more much needed parking. I should also give credit for Alex and Andrew who braved the 24 foot ladder to de-gunk the gutters before they re-wired the phone and sound systems in the store. What a motivated and easy going group! We all appreciate your efforts to make our facilities shine.

--Tom

This record player and AM/FM radio is working well (despite missing a needle for the record player!). It sits in a well-kept wooden cabinet that is perfect for anywhere in the house that needs a little bit of music! The top of the cabinet closes to hide the player inside.

We are asking $75.
Mention this posting and receive 10% off! Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.


Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

Remembering and honoring 9/11 through service.

Students heed call to honor, volunteer for 9/11

Eight years, a war on terror and one presidential administration have passed since Sept. 11, 2001. And for his first 9/11 anniversary as commander-in-chief, President Barack Obama called for Americans to remember the tragedy with acts of service and volunteerism.

"No force for change is more powerful than that of Americans who are making a difference in their communites," Obama said in an Aug. 27 press release. "This Sept. 11, and in the days, weeks, and months that follow, let us recommit ourselves to service, renew America's promise, and work together as one people and one Nation."

Laura Dempsey, Public Outreach Director for the Athens' area Habitat for Humanity, said the community has heeded the president's call for service.

(read full article from the Red & Black here)

Athens Area Volunteer Expo is today!

The Volunteer Expo will take place from 4:00-7:00pm at the Classic Center in Downtown Athens and its free!

The Athens Area Volunteer Expo will put dozens of community non-profits and organizations on display for the community to visit in order for citizens to find the best volunteer opportunity in Athens.

Come say hello to Laura at the Athens Area Habitat booth!

RESTORE HOT ITEM OF THE WEEK:

Piano ready to rock n' roll for only $200! Mention this posting and receive 10% off! Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

Athens Area Habitat was Spotted! at The (k)larity Group Race for the Dream 5k!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Race for the Dream on Labor Day. The weather was perfect and we had about 200 runners out enjoying the morning run on their holiday. Results for the race can be found here thanks to Classic Race Services. Special thanks to ReTool for donating the prizes for the runners!

The (k)larity Group Race for the Dream 5k is coming up on Monday!

Join Athens Area Habitat as we race towards the dream of homeownership. Come out to run or to volunteer!

Labor Day
Monday, Sept. 7
8:00am
Milledge Avenue Baptist Church

Athens Area Habitat will be participating in the Athens Area Volunteer Expo!

The Volunteer Expo will take place next Thursday, September 10th from 4:00-7:00pm at the Classic Center in Downtown Athens and its free!

The Athens Area Volunteer Expo will put dozens of community non-profits and organizations on display for the community to visit in order for citizens to find the best volunteer opportunity in Athens.

Hope to see you out there!

A View From The Builder: Tom's Blog



With some help from three of the brightest minds at UGA, the Habitat team tackled another wheelchair ramp project. Sara, Sang and Suray selflessly sacrificed their sopping, sweat-stained shirts while sinking steel screws... Nuff said? Building on top of concrete seemed like a gift after digging holes for the last several Saturdays, but drilling in the concrete presented its own challenges. In true Habitat fashion, the volunteers overcame all obstacles and conquered!

--- Tom

Community Partner Fundraiser:

For all of September Taqueria La Parilla will donate a percentage of their sales to Athens Area Habitat!




Check out two locations!

Athens
2439 Jefferson Road
Athens, GA 30606
(706) 549-4977

Watkinsville
1431 Capital Avenue #101
Watkinsville, GA 30677
(706) 310-999

A fantastic group from the Navy Supply Corp School came out this Saturday to raise the walls on a Habitat Home. It was a beautiful day for building and the group worked like a well oiled machine!

Special thanks to Stevie B's Pizza for feeding our hungry volunteers!

Upcoming Event: Women Build Bridge Fundraiser
Thurs, September 10th @ 12:30pm - 3:30 pm
Watkinsville Community Center/ City Hall

Join the Women Build program for a fun afternoon of bridge! Everyone is welcome, so beginners don’t be shy. Registration is only $15 per person and will include refreshments, door prizes, and more! Please register by calling 706-208-1001 today.

Did you know...

Habitat for Humanity has been ranked as the largest private home builder in the United States and the 11th largest overall homebuilder according to Builder magazine‘s 2008 Builder 100 list.

Habitat for Humanity built 5,421 houses in the United States in 2008.

The Builder magazine ranking only represents Habitat’s work in the United States. Habitat also has a presence in nearly 90 countries around the world and last year served more than 55,000 families with new home construction, major renovations, repairs and other home improvements.

Stay Updated: Join the Athens Area Habitat mailing list to receive updates about upcoming events, community accomplishments, volunteer opportunities, business partner specials, and more.

E-mail:

A View From The Builder: Tom's Blog

The EHARP Saturday build was a huge success. Luckily the rain and mud which plagued the home construction build site did not give us any problems. David and his lovely wife Shawn as well as Matthew and Katie (super volunteers) jumped into the middle of the latest ramp project. With very little help from me, they dug through some of the toughest soil on earth and mixed 16 more bags of concrete to give this one a polished shine. Lino (one of our newest German exchange helpers) went from neophite to trainer in just two days. We are expecting huge things from him in the near future!

Athens Banner Herald Story by Jennifer Johnson

Group Needs Funding to Build: Donations to Women Build, Habitat for Humanity down

To Heather McElroy, there's a certain feeling of empowerment that women get from building a house together.

Women Build, an all-female group that works with Habitat for Humanity, always has an overflow of volunteers ready to swing hammers or wield paintbrushes. Like many Habitat projects, everything from the roofing to landscaping, painting to siding is handled by volunteers.

"Everyone wants to get out and build," said McElroy, special events co-chair for Women Build. "But we need money before we can do that."

Charitable giving is down, a symptom of the weak economy, and it's slowing the work of all Athens area nonprofits.

"People are just really worried about what they spend their money on right now," McElroy said.

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity first started to see donations drop about a year ago, according to it Executive Director Spencer Frye.

"I would say that pretty much all nonprofits for the past year and a half have been experiencing a fall in their donor dollars," said Frye.

Women Build and Habitat for Humanity need $65,000 per house before they can break ground.

The nonprofit relies on money donations as well as volunteers to help build their homes...

(click here for the full story)

Meet: Lino, Daniel, and Lars



Athens Area Habitat welcomes our new German volunteers!

These friendly young men are part of ICYE, an international non-profit youth exchange organization promoting youth mobility, intercultural learning and international voluntary service. They will be here for one year volunteering with Athens Area Habitat, impacting affordable housing efforts and learning new skills.

Look forward to seeing Lino, Daniel, and Lars at the build site, the ReStore, and out in the community!

A View From The Builder: Tom's Blog

The folks at Digital Insight lent us a hand today as we began construction of yet another Habitat wheelchair ramp project. The ground was extremely compacted so digging post holes was a real challenge (Brad had blisters on his blisters). Maureen learned the intricacies of the miter saw as Brandon kept us on task through wit and subtle yet effective poking. I appreciate all of your hard work (as well as your sweat, tears and occasional blood). Come back when you heal up!!

HOT RESTORE ITEM OF THE WEEK

Tan Futon with wooden frame for only $150! Mention this posting and recieve 10% off! Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

Welcome back students!

Athens Area Habitat is glad you're back in town. While you're getting settled in, don't forget to check out the ReStore for some great finds to furnish your home!

Also, be sure to check out our volunteer options for the fall. Signing up to volunteer with us has never been easier. Check out our newly updated volunteer page to get started! We have ongoing volunteer opportunities to fit every interest.

As always, feel free to contact Laura Dempsey, our Public Outreach Director, with questions about getting started. You can contact Laura via email, phone, or chat.

Do you love volunteering with us? We'd love to hear about it!

Send your volunteer testimonial to volunteer@athenshabitat.com, and we may put it on the website! Share your experience with Habitat- whether it was building on the job site, working at the ReStore, or supporting an event.

New Features: Making signing up to volunteer easier than ever.

Now you can register to volunteer with Athens Area Habitat through Hands On Northeast Georgia! Just click the link to get started. There you can view available volunteer opportunities (including special events and Saturday builds) and sign up for available spots. Athens Area Habitat will be notified of your registration and you will be contacted with more information. Try it out!

The website is done!

Thank you SO much to AA1 Intelligence for the lovely redesign. Now it's easier than ever to find out more about upcoming events, current programs, ReStore treasures, newsworthy mentions, and more!

Take a look around, you might find something new and exciting!

(Pardon our progress as we work out some kinks with Internet Explorer 6. For a better browsing experience and complete compatibility with all sites, please upgrade to a modern browser such as Mozilla or the most current version of Internet Explorer )

HOT RESTORE ITEM OF THE WEEK

Floral Sofa & Chair. Only $125 for both! Mention this posting and recieve 10% off! Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

Mens Bake Sale
Tonight! (Fri, Aug 7th)
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Downtown Watkinsville

After an overwhelming positive response of both bakers and buyers for the first Men’s Bake Sale, the Women Build Program will be hosting another event for the “Men With Aprons” team!

The Women Build Program challenges men in the community to wear an apron and whip up some baked goods for the Men's Bake Sale on Friday August 7, 2009. This bake sale will be held in conjunction with the First Friday celebration in Downtown Watkinsville. The bake sale will include cookies, cakes, and cupcakes (and anything else that won’t melt!).

So stop by downtown Watkinsville tonight from 6pm to 9pm and pick up some tasty treats in support of Women Build!

Athens Area Habitat's 21st Birthday Bash is featured in Jake!



Rocking the (affordable) house

Earlier this summer, Atlanta-based Slush Fund Recordings (with the help of New West Records) threw down one of the best parties going on during AthFest.

This weekend, the label will put some more of its best and brightest on stage for a special show to benefit and celebrate Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, which this year celebrates its 21st birthday. The big show, set for Saturday at Tasty World, will feature Atlanta bands The Judies and Trances Arc, with Athen’s own Velveteen Pink headlining.

With 21 years under its belt, Habitat has helped more than 70 area families over the years, and continues to keep its focus on constructing homes for those in need.

“Our main mission is affordable housing, “says Laura Dempsey, Athens Area Habitat’s public outreach director. “We build simple and decent housing for low income families in the area.”
One of the organization’s new initiatives, a thrift store name ReStore, recycles houses slated for deconstruction. Habitat has salvaged lumber, furniture, and other building materials and made them available for sale to the public. All proceeds stay within Habitat and support the affordable housing program, Dempsey says.

“It’s really special because we’re able to use our volunteer labor and our construction expertise. We break apart the houses piece by piece and salvage all of the materials that would normally go into a dumpster ... (and instead) are recycled back into the community,” Dempsey says.
“The sales of the ReStore help with our affordable housing program, and it also provides discounted materials for people in the community.”

On Saturday, though, it’s all about celebrating Habitat’s accomplishments in its 21 years – and encourage the community to help keep it going.

“The biggest thing about the show is that we’re really just excited about the 21 years, and we want people to come out and have fun,” Dempsey says. “There’s going to be free birthday cake, and it’s just sort of a party to get everybody together and excited. Hopefully we can spread our mission a little bit”

(Jake, by tommy mcgahee, 08/12/09)

Athens Area Habitat is in the Flagpole!

(check it out on p.21 or read the full article here)

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity's 21st Birthday Bash

w/ The Judies, Trances Arc, Velveteen Pink

Saturday, Aug. 8 at Tasty World Uptown

Very little is as effective a centerpiece to a successful birthday party than a righteous and flowing supply of cake. The Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, now in the midst of celebrating its 21st action-packed year of community service, has taken steps to get that party started, cake- and fun-wise. Both can be expected at its birthday bash at Tasty World on Saturday.

“We just want to celebrate and extend it to the community, and have everybody come and have a good time, and remember what we’re doing and why it’s important,” says Laura Dempsey, public outreach director for Athens Area Habitat for Humanity.

Cakes will come from local bakeries like Cecilia Villaveces Cakes and Creative Cookies and Creamery. The fun comes by way of Slush Fund Records’ presentation of Athens and Atlanta bands The Judies, Trances Arc and Velveteen Pink.

In its 21 years, Habitat has served 70 families in Clarke, Oconee and Oglethorpe counties with homes, according to Dempsey. And in the past year alone, Habitat’s ReStore, the Barber Street thrift store, prevented approximately 150 tons of material from getting cozy in landfills—a substantial jump from 2007’s 116 tons.

Further, Habitat instituted a number of new programs in the last year, like its ReHOUSE program (Recycling Home Owner Units Safely & Efficiently), in which volunteers work to erase residential decay, and its Brush with Kindness program, which seeks to restore neighborhoods on a small-projects basis.

“Our whole mission is built on community and partnerships and people coming together for a great cause,” says Dempsey. “Everything that we do is supported by the community. Without the support of all the organizations and business and volunteers, we couldn’t do what we do.”

One would be hard pressed to find a better reason to share birthday cake with the neighbors. Doors open at 9 p.m.

(Flagpole, by Valentina Tapia, 08/05/09)

Hot ReStore Item of the Week

Cream loveseat with beautiful stripe and floral design. Only $75! Mention this posting and recieve 10% off! Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

Athens Area Habitat is in the Red&Black!

Students Volunteer At Habitat for Humanity (read full article here)

The University is full of students willing to help people less fortunate than themselves, or at least that's what the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity has seen.

Athens Area Habitat Executive Director Spencer Frye attributes the willingness of the community to volunteer directly to the moral quality of the students at the University.

"This affiliate is extremely fortunate to have the University students and its organizations," Frye said. "They are extremely volunteer oriented. We are one of the few Habitats that have more labor than we need sometimes."

The most popular form of volunteer work for the organization is done by students eager to get their hands dirty at the build site, but swinging a hammer isn't the only way students volunteer their services.

The ReStore, a thrift store that raises money for Habitat's affordable housing program, provides another way students can lend their community a helping hand.

Located at 532 Barber St., the ReStore serves as the hub for the "Don't Dump it, Donate it" program, which takes donated home furnishings and sells them for a discounted price.

The store accepts all kinds of housing-related items including furniture, appliances, cloths, doors, windows and cabinets.

ReStore offers free pick-ups for those who want to donate, but don't have the time or means to transport their donations to the store.

Habitat raised $180,000 the past two years through ReStore.

In 2008, ReStore kept 150 tons of household materials out of the Athens landfill, said Laura Dempsey, public outreach director for Habitat.

Micheal Jamison, a graduate student from Marietta, works in the ReStore and says his typical day at the store begins at 8 a.m. by making a list of things that need to be done. He spends the rest of the day answering phone calls, helping customers find items and working the register.

"I like the idea that the things I do help the community," Jamison said.

Habitat builds about six houses each year for families in need. It builds three and four bedroom houses ranging from $65,000 to $75,000 - allowing approved families to own a new home for about $250 a month, interest free.

The Athens Area Habitat turns 21 on Aug. 8 and will have its birthday party at Tasty World. Habitat encourages everyone in the community to come celebrate the occasion.

With the continued help of University students, Habitat will continue to give families "a hand up, not a hand out" for many years to come, Frye said.

(Red & Black, by Adam Hicks, 7/23/09)