“I’m thankful for my home. It’s the place I look forward to going after work, after vacation, after running errands… in fact, whenever I’m not home, I’m pretty much looking forward to going there. It’s where I spend time with my husband, where I can walk around with or without socks without grimacing about crumbs between my toes. I’m Queen of my castle.

I decorate it to my liking, clean it to my chagrin, and I can even leave dishes in the sink if I’m in a hurry — and then wash, dry and put them away like I’m on FIRE today. Thank you very much. I love my home — I really love having people over for dinner or for the football game. I love making people feel at home in my home and it makes me feel great when my mom comes over and exclaims how tidy my kitchen junk drawer is.

I am also thankful for my neighbors. This Christmas, we came home to multiple boxes of chocolates, dog treats (for the dog) and even a collection of flavored olive oils (although I personally think that last gift was a re-gift!). Our neighbors say hello on sight and I even borrowed two eggs from Judy next door when I made lasagna a few weeks ago (the ultimate in friendly neighboring!).

I say all this because, while I may not be well-versed in all the awesome and encouraging Habitat statistics about children who do better in school when living in a Habitat home, I do know how much my home means to me, how important it is to feel part of a community, to feel safe. And I’m glad to be a part of something that provides an answer to that longing inside us that calls for home. Keep up the good work!”

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 construction service on-site, 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 programs and volunteer opportunities in Maryland. 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!

Click HERE to Buy Your Tickets

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.

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;
• MarylandAgriculture Education Foundation (MAEF) Educational Garden Award 

This year’s Garden Preview Party also features live music from world renowned recording artists, Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein.

Together Jimmy and Moondi made international waves with their first CD release “2:10 Train.” Join us in celebrating their February 2012 release, “Home From The Mills” which has been getting rave reviews.

“These two gifted artists, armed only with their instruments, voices, and a good bunch of songs, have produced a record that is a joy to listen to. Thanks, Moondi and Jimmy, for reminding us that less truly can be more.” — Emmylou Harris

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.

Click HERE to Buy Your Tickets

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.

Thank you to this year’s sponsors!

Transamerica
Richardson LaGrant Group with Re/Max Advantage Realty
Cotton Duck Title Company
WBCM
Arris, a Design Studio, Inc.
Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn, P.A.
COPT

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 owning a Habitat home 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 volunteer 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.”