HABITAT NEWS

Habitat for Humanity Shed Auctioned
Constitution-Tribune
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Chillicothe Area Habitat For Humanity board members Norma Hussey and Martha Berry dress a garden shed in holiday spirit in preparation for the shed's auction immediately following the Chillicothe Holiday Parade this Saturday. Proceeds from the sale will be used to help finance construction of the family home being built for 2009.

This fully-loaded shed, built by Vernon Wascher, measures eight feet by 16 feet and has French doors. The interior of the building is wired for three electrical outlets and also has a plumbed utility sink in place. The auction will be held on the west side of the Livingston County courthouse. All bidders are welcomed.

A Family Selection meeting was held October 6, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. at our 11th home on the corner of Martin and Gale.

Donations Aid Habitat Effort

CAPTION: The Chillicothe Area Habitat for Humanity chapter got a financial boost today in the form of a $1,000 check from Investors National Bank. The check was presented by bank president Charles Bigler (left), to Brenda Wright, Habitat chapter president (center), and Jim Houseworth, chairman of the development committee for the local Habitat chapter. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing.

C-T Photo/Catherine Stortz Ripley 05 27 09

CAPTION: The Chillicothe Area Habitat for Humanity chapter got a financial boost May 28, 2009 in the form of a $1,000 check from Chillicothe State Bank. The check was presented by bank president Mark Simmer (left), to Branda Wright, Habitat chapter president (center), and Jim Houseworth, chairman of the development committee for the local Habitat chapter. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing.

C-T Photo/Catherine Stortz Ripley 05 28 09

Habitat Doll House Sells
Published: Friday, November 26, 2008, C-T

CAPTION: The Habitat for Humanity doll house constructed by Vern Wascher was auctioned off Saturday by Col. Mike Miller prior to the 62nd Holiday Parade. Bill and Millie Breeden and their daughter and son-in-law Rachel and Rick Boley of Chillicothe purchased the house for an undisclosed sum.

Submitted Photo/C-T

Habitat for Humanity Opening Application Process
Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008, C-T

Livingston County residents are invited to learn about the application process for a Habitat home on Monday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 421 Elm St., Chillicothe. The 2008 Habitat family will be chosen based on three criteria: 1) ability to meet monthly payments, 2) demonstration of need for adequate housing and 3) willingness to partner with Habitat, including working 250 hours for their “sweat equity” down payment.

Applicants have until 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17, to complete and return the standard Habitat application and supporting documents to a Family Selection Committee member. The Family Selection Committee will use the next 30 days to check references, review background checks, interview applicants and make a final selection. “At the earliest we expect to announce the 2008 Chillicothe Habitat family by Nov. 18,” said Brenda Wright, chair of the committee.

In the organization’s continuing effort to raise funds, Habitat members say they are also searching for a partner to help fund this year’s challenge grant. Last year, a local individual offered to match new funds raised by Dec. 31, 2007, up to $2,500. Wright said that, like last year, a new playhouse will be auctioned in November to raise funds for Habitat. The playhouse will be built to resemble the 2008 Habitat house in Chillicothe and will be sold to the highest bidder after the Holiday Parade.

The Chillicothe Habitat for Humanity began in 1997. Nationally, Habitat got its start in Georgia in 1976 and is now working in 70-80 countries.

For more information about Habitat or to volunteer, visit the website, www.habitatchillicothe.org. Donations to the Chillicothe Area Habitat for Humanity are always welcome and can be sent to the Chillicothe Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 913, Chillicothe, MO 64601.

Chillicothe Elks Presents Habitat with Check
Published: Tuesday, August 26, 2008, C-T

CAPTION: On behalf of the Chillicothe Elks Lodge 656, Bill Tharp, exalted ruler, presented Chillicothe Habitat for Humanity president Brenda Wright a check for $500 Tuesday morning at the Constitution-Tribute Office.
(Click on photo to enlarge.)

C-T Photo, Laura Schuler

Playhouse to be Auctioned as Habitat Fundraiser
A new 6’x10’ playhouse will be auctioned soon to raise funds for the Chillicothe Area Habitat for Humanity.
11/05/07 (Story by Diane Davis, photo by Diana Wascher)

CAPTION: Retired airline pilot and woodworker Vern Wascher is finishing work on a large playhouse that will be sold after the holiday parade to make money for Habitat for Humanity. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

Built to resemble the 2007 Habitat house in Chillicothe, the playhouse will be sold to the highest bidder after the holiday parade on Sat., Nov. 17. Businessman and auctioneer Lonnie Sewell will call the auction on the west side of Livingston County Courthouse in Chillicothe.

Retired pilot and woodworker Vern Wascher is building the playhouse, which features a 7.5 ft. ceiling, finished exterior, two windows, shutters, Dutch door, drywall interior and porch with railing. He will also display the playhouse as part of Habitat’s parade entry, celebrating 10 years of Habitat for Humanity in the Chillicothe community.

Funds raised from the auction will help Habitat offset upfront building expenses. Jim Houseworth, past chapter president, said, “Vern has volunteered to build this house and pull it in the parade to help us raise money toward a $2,500 challenge grant. A local individual has offered to match new funds raised by Dec. 31, 2007, up to $2,500.” Also available at the auction will be five new white window blinds, 29” wide.

Meanwhile, Habitat’s Family Selection Committee is currently reviewing applications for the 2008 house and will make recommendations to the Board of Directors at a future meeting. By Christmas, the Chillicothe Area Habitat for Humanity will choose and announce a family for the 11th Habitat home.

For more information about Habitat, visit the website, www.habitatchillicothe.org. Donations to the Chillicothe Area Habitat for Humanity are always welcome and can be sent to PO Box 913, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Messages can be left at 660-247-3143.

Chillicothe Habitat Volunteer Honored as Community Service Unsung Hero for 2003

Eric Turner, Chillicothe Rotary president, emceed the community service banquet held Monday, March 31, at the Grand River Inn, and introduced the community service Unsung Hero for 2003.

"One of the reasons we are here tonight is to acknowledge an unsung hero in our community," said Turner. "We are all truly heroes in our own families. We strive to accept, daily, with high honor, the responsibility for providing, nurturing and encouraging our immediate and extended families and our circle of friends. Our unsung hero, along with the rest of us, does this quietly and consistently and with great fervor."

Turner painted a connection between membership in service organizations -- like the Rotary, Optimist, Kiwanis and Lions clubs -- and a community acknowledgment of its responsibility to work hard to make a better world. It can also be said of the unsung hero, Turner said. "There are those of us who quietly and consistently and without need or want for praise, seek to share above the everyday giving to our family of birth and of choice, our church and community. In so doing, we strive for a higher and much broader greater good to the community around us," Turner said.