I recently had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Dave Schultz, financial director for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Anne Arundel County. The day consisted of finishing work for the Tanner family’s new Habitat home–a busy day to say the least! Everywhere I looked, Thrivent volunteers, Red Hats and Habitat staff were scurrying this way and that to make sure the tasks were completed. I was lucky to pry Mr. Schultz away from his work just long enough for him to tell me more about Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.

Dave Schultz- Welcome Home Tanner Family!

“Our main mission,” Dave said, while peeling paint from his exhausted hands “is to help provide somebody that needs a home with a new Habitat home.” Thrivent Builds has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake for over eight years and completed eight different homes. Through the coalition of Anne Arundel County’s Lutheran churches, $12,000+ in fundraising and more than 150 volunteer opportunities have contributed to the redevelopment of 40 Pleasant Street in Annapolis. In addition to their group’s fundraising accomplishments, Dave told me, “Our volunteers gain a lot (from the experience). They get together in fellowship, develop new relationships, and learn new building techniques which can be applied in our own lives.”

Together, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity are working to promote safe, decent and affordable housing in our communities. Our deepest thanks goes out to Dave Shultz, Thrivent Builds volunteers, and all of the Thrivent Builds supporters. Good luck, God bless and Happy New Year to every one of you!

Since 1999, Habitat for Humanity has restored twelve homes in the area and has partnered with local residents and churches to develop a safer and more unified neighborhood. The ceremony celebrated the culmination of a project that brought new homeowners into the community who are dedicated to supporting the revitalization of the Clay Street neighborhood. Some who had even grown up in the area and are making their return. Josh Cohen, the Mayor of Annapolis, was in attendance to provide keys for the new homes and to congratulate the new residents.

Clay Street has impressive historical significance and was once considered the “Harlem” of the mid-Atlantic.  The area was known for jazz and comedy clubs, and was home to many boat builders and business professionals. Urban renewal programs and the construction of public housing projects led to the area’s disintegration and eventual decline of community spirit.

Recognizing the strong need for restoration in the area, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake purchased several properties along Clay Street to be rebuilt or renovated. Habitat for Humanity then offered these properties to qualifying homeowners at a no-interest mortgage rate that is typically lower than what the homebuyers pay for rent in substandard housing.

Habitat for Humanity homeowners dedicate as many as 350 ‘sweat equity’ hours of volunteer service to on-site construction, Habitat office work, or other qualifying businesses. They participate in homebuyer education classes aimed at preparing them for successful homeownership and lifelong fiscal responsibility.

All Habitat residents placed in the renovated housing along Clay Street are strongly dedicated to the revitalization of the community and will be a great resource in creating a unified, renovated and safe neighborhood area. This project brings a renewed sense of hope for the community and sets a strong pathway for future development and growth.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is a Maryland charity and affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International that provides housing for deserving citizens in the Greater Chesapeake region, including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and Anne Arundel County.

Habitat for Humanity offers countless volunteer opportunities and programs in the Maryland area. The Clay Street restoration project is just one recent example of the work that Habitat Humanity performs to improve quality of life in the community by revitalizing entire neighborhoods.

To all of our volunteers, donors, homeowner families and supporters everywhere, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake wishes you the happiest of holidays!

Our offices will be closed Friday, December 23 through Monday December 26 and Friday, December 30 through Monday, January 2 in order to celebrate the season with our families and friends.

Please contact us with any needs by close of business, December 21, 2011. Thank you and enjoy the holidays!

Think spring!

Take a break from winter’s blast and enjoy beautiful gardens, live music,
hors d’oeuvres and great company at our 2^nd Annual Preview Party
at the Maryland Home and Garden Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds on Friday, March 2^nd, from 6-9 p.m.

Be the first to enjoy an exclusive look at fantastic garden displays before the show officially opens to the public.

Get your tickets HERE

For the first time this year, we will have the Home and Garden Show award
ceremony at the preview party, featuring the below awards:

• Best of Show with silver bowl presented by Maryland Nurserymen’s Association (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in each division);
• Landscaper Award presented by Chesapeake Home magazine;
• Pinnacle award – landscapers vote for their favorite garden
• American Horticulture Society Award;
• Horticulture Society of MD Award;
• Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation (MAEF) Educational Garden Award

Dance to live music by popular area bands!

Order tickets online for a special rate: Early bird special tickets are $50 online; $60 at the door. Tickets will be available at “will call” the day of the event.

Great news! Your ticket includes admission to the Preview Party and admission for one full day at the Maryland Home and Garden Show on the day of your choice.

Get your tickets HERE

More information about the Maryland Home and Garden Show

GET INVOLVED to help build Habitat homes! Sponsorships are available at a variety of levels. Please contact Madeline Manlove at mmanlove@habitatchesapeake.org or 443-297-5219 for information.

All orientations are approximately one hour.  Attendees do not need to bring anything.

Tuesday, November 8^th at 6 PM
McElderryPark Community Center
611 N. Montford Ave., Baltimore, MD 21205                                                 

Wednesday, November 16^th at 3 PM
Enoch Pratt Library -Brooklyn Branch
300 E. Patapsco Ave., Baltimore, MD 21225

Saturday, November 19^th at 10 AM
Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
2424 McElderry St., Baltimore, MD 21205

The first step toward becoming a Habitat homeowner is to attend an orientation session.

Tuesday, September 6 at 6 p.m.
McElderry Park Community Center
611 N. Montford Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21205

Wednesday, September 14 at 3 p.m.
Enoch Pratt Library – Brooklyn Branch
300 E. Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21225

Saturday, September 24 at 10 a.m.
Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
2424 McElderry Street, Baltimore, MD 21205

All orientations last approximately one hour. Attendees do not need to bring anything except a smile (and perhaps an interested friend)! Please share this information with someone you know.

MECU (Municipal Employees Credit Union) provides an array of financial services to Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, including mortgage financing and servicing, MECU membership for our homeowners, and financial support for Habitat for Humanity International’s home construction initiatives.

PayPal, Inc. is the “Welcome Home” sponsor of the 300th house to be built by Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake (HFHC).

The PayPal team has started to build at 2447 Jefferson Street in East Baltimore and will continue through the completion and dedication of the home later this summer.

“Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is thrilled to have a partner like PayPal commit to building our 300th home,” said HFHC CEO Mike Mitchell. “It is a testament to a community-focused, socially responsible company that PayPal has chosen to partner with a growing nonprofit so that we can leverage our ability to do more together. PayPal is making a huge difference by this contribution of resources not only for one family, but for the entire community, as well.”

“Our employees love being active in the communities where PayPal operates,” said Gary Marino, SVP of Global Financial Services at PayPal, Inc. “The Bill Me Later business was built here in Maryland, and the opportunity to support Habitat for Humanity is a great way for us to give something back. We are all excited to be working with Habitat for Humanity as they reach this landmark goal of their 300th house here in Maryland.”

September 16, from 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is honored to once again be chosen by Erie Insurance as the beneficiary of their annual Charity Golf  Tournament.

This event is sold out!

Thank you, Erie Insurance!

Queenstown Harbor 410‐827‐6611
310 Links Lane
Queenstown, MD 21658

Registration 7:30 am
Breakfast 7:30-8:45 am
Shotgun Start 9:00 am

Lunch and Awards to follow

Questions/Comments:
Erie Insurance
Mary Okerson or Michael Foley
301-680-7461