Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1998
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May 14, 2008 Habitat Spelling Bee Crowns Champion Spellers The Jefferson County WI Habitat for Humanity inaugural spelling bee, aptly titled “Can You Spell as Well as an Eighth Grader” was held on May 3 as a fundraiser for the efforts of the local affiliate. Nine teams competed to spell typical eighth grade spelling words correctly. Only one team could emerge as the champion, however, and the trophy was awarded to the Faith Community Church team consisting of spellers Michelle Ebben, Greg Stahl, and Rich and Tammy Doellstedt. State congressional representative Andy Jorgensen, and Chair of the Jefferson County Board of Supervisors, Sharon Schmeling, served as judges and provided extra entertainment by encouraging teams that misspelled to buy their way back into the game. The rules were modified slightly throughout the game to make it more challenging. The competition was feverish, but after two hours teams began to drop out one by one, leaving two top finalists: Faith Community Church and the Foerster Group. The final showdown occurred with a word appropriate for the Gemuetlichkeit City where the competition was held: Braunsweiger. At first try, Michelle Ebben, from Faith Community Church, spelled the word without a hitch, taking the championship. Event chairpersons, Laurie Anderson and Jen Weston, were pleased with the spelling bee’s success and plan on doing it again next year. Food provided by committee members and Captain’s Corner, was also sold to help raise funds. All money raised through this fundraiser will be used to build the next Habitat for Humanity home in Jefferson County. Habitat chapters work with donors, volunteers and homeowners to create simple, decent, affordable housing for deserving families in need. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a place to live in dignity and safety. The organization sees itself as offering a hand up, not a hand-out, as recipients of a Habitat home must contribute hundreds of hours in “sweat equity” toward its construction, as well as maintain a timely payment schedule on an interest-free loan. A home built by Habitat is not extravagant by any standard, and generally does not exceed 1,200 square feet. The homes are affordable because Habitat relies heavily on donated labor and materials. Concerns about Habitat houses lowering neighborhood property values are unfounded. Studies of low-cost housing show no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values, and it is Habitat’s belief that affordable housing actually improves neighborhoods and communities by increasing the tax base and building better citizens through cooperative efforts. Anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to Jefferson County WI Habitat for Humanity may do so at: JCWHFH, 10 Sherman Avenue East, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 1, 2008 MERCHANTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 10, 2008 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IN NEED OF LAND FOR NEXT BUILD Volunteers for the Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity had a joyful holiday season, completing their sixth house and handing over the keys to the Kenny and Amy Strege family just in time for Christmas. In the days since, however, the affiliate has been taking calls about the timing of the next build, but it does not currently own any land. “We have over twenty families on our waiting list,” Executive Director Lauren Cravens says. “But there are over 700 families living below poverty in our county, and we’d like to increase our activity to serve even more of them.” Habitat chapters work with donors, volunteers and homeowners to create simple, decent, affordable housing for deserving families in need. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a place to live in dignity and safety. The organization sees itself as offering a hand up, not a hand-out, as recipients of a Habitat home must contribute hundreds of hours in “sweat equity” toward its construction, as well as maintain a timely payment schedule on an interest-free loan. Contrary to popular belief, Habitat homes are not occupied by poor people on welfare who want to live in a fancy new house. A home built by Habitat is not extravagant by any standard, and generally does not exceed 1,200 square feet. The homes are affordable because Habitat relies heavily on donated labor and materials. Concerns about Habitat houses lowering neighborhood property values are unfounded. Studies of low-cost housing show no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values, and it is Habitat’s belief that affordable housing actually improves neighborhoods and communities by increasing the tax base and building better citizens through cooperative efforts. Donated land, or land purchased below market value, is the only way Habitat affiliates can keep costs reasonable for their homeowners. As a 501c3 non-profit, all donations to Habitat are tax-deductible. “We’re not too picky about location of buildable lots,” Cravens commented. “We have several different house designs created to fit a variety of lot sizes, and we can build in the city, in the suburbs, or in the country, as long as we are within Jefferson County boundaries.” The affiliate hopes to one day open a Habitat Restore, where donations of building supplies can be stored and resold to the public. This retail venture has proven advantageous to affiliates in other communities as it provides an opportunity for continuous funding of future builds. It is a large undertaking, however, and the Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity does not own a building suitable to house a Restore. “That’s on our wish list,” Cravens says. “Right now, we need land.” Landowners with a desire to assist Habitat for Humanity, or in need of a tax deduction, are encouraged to contact the Jefferson County office at: 920-397-7362. |