Want to Get Involved?
What is a Team Build?
Exactly what it sounds like! A group of people from a company, church, or club who want to get together to work with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter on a local housing project.
Benefits of Partnering
- Get to know your employees, club, or congregation members on a more personal level.
- Assist in projects that provide a better future for other individuals.
- Provide a deeper connection to the area around you.
- Create a more stable environment for those in need.
- Share an experience that you can take back to the office, club, or church.
- Co-brand your company, club, or church with Habitat – Let us assist in getting your name out in the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Habitat Ranked “Best Nonprofits to Work For”
ATLANTA (Sept. 26, 2017) — Leading affordable housing organization Habitat for Humanity is the best nonprofit in the United States for employees and volunteers, according to an inaugural ranking published by job-hunting site Indeed. Habitat secured the top spot among U.S. nonprofits based on more than 1,200 reviews from current employees, past employees and volunteers.
Click here to read the full article.
Habitat’s Domestic Global Village Hosts FEMA Assessment Teams
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter’s Domestic Global Village (DGV), a hostel-like volunteer center in Eustis, is currently hosting 12 FEMA Corps members. The FEMA Corps members are under a 10 month contract as a specialized AmeriCorps NCCC team member and will be assisting in the area to participate in disaster response and recovery projects including: helping residents complete applications for disaster assistance; assessing and reporting damage to public facilities; educating local communities on available resources; assessing community needs and spear-heading partnerships with local nonprofits and government agencies.
Click here to read the full article.
Habitat helps out after Hurricane Irma in Florida
Non-profits team up for Hurricane Irma relief
(Eustis, FL) Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, in partnership with Lake Cares Food Pantry, the Cross Church, and Second Harvest Food Bank, will offer free cases of bottled water, baby supplies, and food on Monday, September 18th and Tuesday, September 19th. Local community volunteers will be onsite to assist with the distribution, excited to help residents throughout the area who are still without power.
Distribution will take place from 9AM-12PM Monday and Tuesday at 710 South Bay Street, Eustis Florida. Monday’s distribution will consist of water and baby supplies only while Tuesday’s distribution will offer food, water, and baby supplies.
The donation of water came from the Lake Geauga Habitat for Humanity out of Chardon, Ohio where the local Habitat affiliate has been accepting donations of water all week for transport to the area.
Over the next few weeks Habitat of Lake-Sumter will mobilize resources to support local community members with repairs to homes damaged by the storm. To donate or volunteer visit www.habitatls.org or call 352-483-0434.
Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity to help Hurricane victims
Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity is accepting donations of cases of bottled water for shipment to the Habitat affiliate in Central Florida in response to Hurricane Irma.
Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter will accept the water at its distribution center near Eustis, Florida, and distribute it to needy individuals and organizations affected by the hurricane in that area.
Click here to read the full article.
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter will Match Donations for Hurricane Relief
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter will be accepting donations in support of hurricane Harvey recovery from September 6th-20th and has pledged to match the collective donations dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Community members can donate by cash, check, or credit card at any one of Habitat’s four ReStore locations, online at habitatls.org/donate-hurricane-harvey, or by calling 352-483-0434.
Click here to read the full article.
Sponsor of the Month: Wells Fargo
Thank you Wells Fargo and The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, along with local bank employees for rallying around the Veterans Village! On September 9th, local employees will be onsite volunteering at the Veterans Village, working on homes that Wells Fargo and The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation helped fund. We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for helping our Veterans build strength, stability, and self reliance through shelter.
Wells Fargo support thousands of national and community-based nonprofits annually to help revitalize and strengthen communities. They are among the top corporate cash donors among U.S. companies, donating $281.3 million to 14,900 nonprofits in 2016 to support financial education, community development, affordable housing, education, disaster relief, clean technology, job training, environmental education, and other critical social, economic, and environmental challenges around the world.
Wells Fargo and the Wells Fargo Foundation provide monetary support, expertise, and volunteers to national and local nonprofit organizations and causes that align with our business priorities, values, business expertise, and geographies. They focus philanthropic activities on creating long-term, strategic relationships with nonprofits and other organizations to create innovative, sustainable solutions to meet local needs. Their team members help make an even bigger impact through their passion, time, and expertise.
Veterans Village Photo Tour
Sponsor of the Month: Garney Construction
Members from Garney Construction joined us for a Team Building day in support of our Veterans Village. Team Builds are a great way to support the community, promote team moral, and gain exposure for your company or club. Through Garney’s Team Build they made a financial investment as well as a physical investment, through hands on volunteering to rally together to support our Veteran families and supply them with a beautiful place to call home. A big thanks to our partners at Garney Construction!
Garney is all about water. Clean water or dirty water. We move it. We treat it. We store it. Whatever your water needs, there is one simple solution – Garney.
Our relationship with water didn’t just happen. It’s been built project by project for more than half a century. As we’ve made the water flow, people across the country have come to depend on us for quality, integrity and the customer satisfaction that comes from getting more than your money’s worth. We are one of the nation’s leading water and wastewater contractors because we deliver more than water. We deliver excellence.
Garney. Advancing Water.
To learn more about Garney Construction visit them at http://www.garney.com/. To learn more about the Veterans Village or how to participate in a Team Build email danielle@habitatls.org.
LOCAL HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RECEIVES $7,000 GRANT FROM UPS FOUNDATION
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter has been awarded a $7,000 grant from The UPS Foundation to benefit Veterans Village, the 13-home development in Umatilla.
Habitat officials say the grant will be fund accessibility features for two houses, which will include a universal design concept with custom ramps and roll-in showers for veterans who may have a physical impairment.
Click here to read the full article!
Out of Reach – The High Cost of Housing
The National Low Income Housing Coalition recently released their Out of Reach 2017 – The High Cost of Housing report. Below are a few info-graphics that give us an overview of the state of housing in the U.S. If you are interested in reading the entire report or using the interactive map features to learn more specifically about Lake and Sumter Counties, please visit the LIHC’s website: www.nlihc.org/oor
Habitat for Humanity honors Central Florida veterans with their own “village”
Sponsor of the Month: Ace Hardware Umatilla
CARTER’S ACE HARDWARE is committed to providing solutions to our customers, community, and associates with honesty and integrity. This year we are excited to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, right here in Umatilla, as a house sponsor in their Veterans Village!
Local, family-owned businesses are the heart of Lake County. Roy Carter and his family have owned and operated various stores dating back to 1964, the year that he and his business partner Ken Reutebuch purchased Tavares Ace Hardware. They established a goal to provide customers with the highest level of service and quality products at competitive prices. Read the rest of this entry »
Florida Community Loan Fund & Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter FL
“FCLF assists Habitat for Humanity facilitate an extraordinary vision of not only building affordable houses, but sustainable communities.” – Kent Adcock, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, FL
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, FL (Habitat) is an ecumenical, Christian ministry dedicated to partnering with families and the community to create simple, decent, affordable housing for people living in sub-standard and overcrowded conditions beyond their control. Habitat for Humanity of Lake County completed its first home in 1990, and in 2007 the organization merged with the Sumter County affiliate. The organization is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.
Click to read the full article here.
Habitat to Americorps: A Volunteer’s Journey
At twenty years of age, what does the strong, independent woman look like today in America? Is she well spoken and hard working? Does she desire unique experiences and the ability to give back to her community? Well, Monica Couture, a young woman from Lake County has shown to be all of these things. And Habitat for Humanity has just been one pit stop on her way to changing the world, one project at a time.
Sponsor of the Month: Rotary Club
Over the next few months Rotary Clubs from Lake and Sumter county will pull together to donate over $12,000 towards affordable housing. The Wildwood Rotary club is supporting our new home we are building in Wildwood, Florida for the Jackson family and the Villages Evening, Villages Noon, Leesburg Evening, and Leesburg Noon clubs will be supporting one of the next four homes being built at the Veterans Village in Umatilla, Florida. As sponsors of these homes, Rotarians from all over will join together to roll up their sleeves and support our Habitat homeowners. Below are a few photos from the first work day, with many more to come. THANK YOU ROTARY!!
What Women Built
This year’s Women Build Week was a great success at our Wildwood home! A HUGE thanks to all of our volunteers. We had over 50 volunteers onsite helping support the Jackson family in their dream of home ownership. Over the four days, women from all over our community Read the rest of this entry »
Lowe’s lends a hand to Habitat for National Women Build Week
In celebration of National Women Build Week, area Lowe’s employees are joining Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter on their current building project in Wildwood.
Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 to empower women to advocate for affordable housing.
Click here to read the full article.
Habitat and Lowe’s Heroes to frame new Wildwood home
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter and Lowe’s Heroes are celebrating the 10th annual National Women Build Week by framing the components of a new affordable home from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at 301 Hazel St., Wildwood.
Click here to read the full article.
Veterans Village: A Project Update
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- All of the first four homes now have their beautiful metal roofs in place.
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- Sneak peak of the master plan of the neighborhood. This is not the final plan, but is a work in progress. Take note of the Memorial Circle, this is where the flagpole and engraved bricks will be located. The square nearer to the water is a gazebo and sitting area for the community.
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- On the interior all cabinets, countertops and appliances are in…all of the laminate flooring is finished as well.
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- Meet Reed and Michele – Reed served in the Coast Guard and was a light house tender in Michigan during two summer seasons of his duty. During his duty Reed and Michele met while dancing one evening and were married two years later. They were both born and raised in Rochester New York and moved to Florida in 1979 with their two children. As people of faith, they are actively involved with their church in Umatilla – so having the opportunity to move to Umatilla was a great blessing. Lee Owen, Habitat Board President introduced them to the project and now here they are!
What’s Next?
- In June we will be dedicating the homes for our first set of homeowners and celebrating them! We hope you can join us.
- In late June we will be laying the foundation for the next four homes.
- We will be finalizing the Master Plan and all the floors plans by our last round of building in December.
Interested in coming out for a tour?
Give Danielle a call 352-630-3318
Want to come out and volunteer?
Give Carlos a call 352-483-0434 Ext 119
National Women Build Week 2017
What is Women Build?
2017 marks Habitat’s 10th Annual National Women Build Week – a time that invites women to help make a difference and devote at least one day to help build decent and affordable housing in their local communities.
On May 9th-13th women from all over Lake and Sumter Counties will come together at our Wildwood New Home Construction Site to join an expected 17,000 women, including Lowe’s Heroes volunteers, across the country as part of Habitat’s 2017 National Women Build Week.
Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 to empower women to advocate for affordable housing and spotlight the homeownership challenges faced by many. Each year, Lowe’s provides the support of their employee volunteers, Lowe’s Heroes, and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills so they can feel equipped to take part in the builds.
How to get involved…
Sponsor of the Month: Lowes
Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 to empower women to advocate for affordable housing and spotlight the homeownership challenges faced by many. Each year, Lowe’s provides the support of their employee volunteers, Lowe’s Heroes, and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills so they can feel equipped to take part in the builds.
Local Business Spurs Community to Give
Ro-Mac Lumber and Supply recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida on their Veterans Village – encouraging local clubs, business, and individuals to give towards the cause throughout the entire month of March, with Ro-Mac providing matching funds up to $10,000.
Click here to read the full article.
Local bank builds veterans home
United Southern Bank employees, executives, and board members are helping Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter build one of 14 houses at the Veterans Village in Umatilla.
“We are honored to be able to continue our partnership with Habitat and to build affordable homes for our veterans in the city of Umatilla,” Mike Stephens, United Southern Bank senior vice president, says in a news release.
Click here to read the full article.
Veterans Village in Umatilla ready for first homeowners
UMATILLA – Just six months after breaking ground, the Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter Veterans Village is nearly ready for the first homeowners.
The first three houses have already sold, and Kent Adcock, Habitat president and innovative CEO, said residents should be moving in by June. A retired military couple purchased the first home, which is designed for active, retired or widowed spouses of military veterans who fall within the economic threshold.
Why we build…
A house is just a place…until a family makes it a home. At Habitat our families are center – they are the reason we build… But the bricks and mortar are just the beginning. As the family moves into their new home they will learn, grow, and make memories in that home. I wish each and every volunteer, donor, and staff could have the opportunity to hear our homeowners stories and see the difference this chance makes for some folks. But since that isn’t the case, we will do our best to share the little snippets of love and hope that our homeowners feel as they come along.
Thanks for all you do –
Your Habitat Family
Volunteer Voices: The Legacy of Bob & Doris
Bob and Doris Meyer have been volunteering with Habitat for over 20 years, and have made some incredible contributions to the organization, touching the lives of many throughout their journey. Married for 43 years, the Meyer’s have taken their passion of constructing homes to every Habitat build, and are a testament to the dedication of our volunteers that constitute the success of Habitat.
The Meyer’s have called Florida their shared home for years, but they maintain a swift schedule traveling the world working on builds for Habitat. From Thailand, South Africa, to the United Kingdom, they have worked with over 30 affiliates in about 15 of the U.S. States. How did they decide that Habitat was for them?
Sponsor of the Month: Villages Home Decorating Club
The Villages Home Decorating Club is a social club comprised of over 650 residents living in The Villages who love learning, creating and sharing home decorating ideas and activities.
In 2013, the club decided to put their expertise into action and partnered with Habitat of Lake Sumter on their first outreach project, furnishing a home for a Vietnam Veteran in Wildwood.
Since then the club has sponsored an additional three families in Lady Lake and one in Fruitland Park (with a babies room!…so fun!), providing each one of them a unique and beautifully furnished home prior to their move in date. The club is looking forward to partnering with another family in Wildwood later this year.
Local Habitat CEO to meet HUD secretary, Dr. Carson, on Friday
Kent Adcock, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of Lake Sumter, has been invited to meet Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Friday during an exclusive presentation on the state of affordable housing.
Click here to read the full article.
2017 Massachusetts Maritime Habitat for Humanity (EM Winter Experience)
Our good friends from Massachusetts Maritime Academy sent us this video of their recent trip with Habitat…
Cagan Management Group Donates Appliances to Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter ReStore is making room in its store for a large donation. When the Bristol Lakes Apartment complex, owned and operated by the Cagan Management Group, was ready to upgrade the appliances in several units, property manager Linda Vandiver, decided to contact the local ReStore. “It seemed like a natural fit since Habitat for Humanity renovates and builds new homes in our area,” Vandiver explains.
Click here for the full article.
Matching Gifts through March
It is always a good time to get on board and donate to the Veterans Village… but if you’ve been on the fence or dragging your feet – the time is NOW! RoMac Lumber and Supply will be matching dollar for dollar gifts to the Veterans Village throughout the month of March (up to $10,000). Join us in saluting our Veterans and providing them a safe place to call home. Your gift will provide much needed support for neighbors in need. To learn more about the Veterans Village or ways to give, contact Danielle – 352-630-3318.
DONATE HERE
Sponsor of the Month: RoMac Lumber & Supply
In addition to the Matching Gift through the Month of March RoMac Lumber is a proud sponsor of two homes in the Veterans Village. The organization is deeply rooted in the community and is a wonderful partner. Here is a bit of their history:
Local Bank Builds Veteran Home
On Saturday, February 4th board members, executives, and staff of United Southern Bank were onsite at the Veterans Village to volunteer. United Southern Bank has been a longstanding partner of Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter and their vision of providing affordable housing to local Veterans.
Staff Spotlight: Meet Kerry!
Meet Kerry!
Q: What is your role at Habitat?
I am the Manager of the Groveland ReStore
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
Helping customers! I love to see how happy they are with their purchase, its enjoyable seeing the smile on their face! I also love working with my team – I have a great team.
Q: What is the most challenging part of your job?
Habitat for Humanity teams up with Noon Rotary Club for first project of the year
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter collaborated Friday with the Rotary Club of The Villages Noon to conduct their first project of the year in Lady Lake.
The project was to provide extensive landscaping, siding repair and painting for a home in Lady Lake.
Habitat of Lake-Sumter in Search of Veteran Home Owners
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida is in search of qualified Veteran home owners interested in living in the Veterans Village community in Umatilla, FL.
Home Is Where The Heart Is
Habitat of Lake-Sumter is so grateful to have been a recipient of this year’s award through Publix Super Market Charities. The generosity of Publix will fund over 25 preservation and repair projects throughout Lake and Sumter Counties this year.
Over the years, Publix associates have generously volunteered to assist with building homes. Recently, the Publix Serves initiative has helped associates devote time to making a difference, and many have spent Publix Serves Day performing tasks such as painting, carpentry, and landscaping in order to support local affiliates in their communities.
The house that love built
For two young boys and their mother, today’s warmest Christmas gift has been simmering for months.
It started with a chance encounter.
It fostered because of a community that cares, including a club of Villagers who have made compassionate acts a habit and a hometown bank full of employees willing to help anyone, but soon realizing it was someone they knew well.
Habitat for Humanity home helps family of 4 in Eustis
EUSTIS —
A Lake County mom and her three children will finally have a home for the holidays.
- 3rd new home in Lake County built by Habitat for Humanity
- Home in Eustis went to mother of three
- Next home dedication will be in Lady Lake
Habitat To Celebrate Completion Of Family Home In Eustis
On Thursday, December 15th at 8:00am, Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter will be hosting a ceremony to celebrate the completion the Eisinger Family’s new home in Eustis. The celebration will be an opportunity to view the finished home, meet the Eisinger family, and enjoy light refreshments and good company. Habitat welcomes the public to attend the ceremony – To RSVP or for more details please call Shari Kuck at shari@habitatls.org or at 352-483- 0434 Ext 118.
Click here for the full article.
Domestic Global Village
Five college students traveled from France to Lake County to spend July through early September serving as volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. The Domestic Global Village, a European-style hostel in Eustis, became their “home away from home.”
Charity begins at home
Habitat for Humanity of Lake Sumter has helped families in need of safe and decent housing achieve the American dream since 1989, and now the organization is in the early stages of building Veterans Village and is looking into the future. Constructing a community of micro homes—affordable housing for seniors and millennials—just may be on the horizon.
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter wins $25,000 grant for Veterans Village
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter has been chosen as a recipient of a $25,000 Open Doors Homeownership Grant from CAHEC to assist in the costs of development of the Veterans Village in Umatilla.
Please click here for full article.
Groundbreaking held for Veterans Village complex
UMATILLA — More than a dozen veterans groups marched out to help their own celebrate during a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday for an affordable housing complex in Umatilla.
Veterans Village, a Habitat for Humanity project, will consist of 14 houses on more than 3 acres off of U.S. Highway 19 that will be home to veterans, spouses of deceased veterans and active military.
Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter officials said that two homes were already on the property when it was purchased. Concrete slabs have been planted for two more and those two houses are expected to be ready by June 2017.
Click here for the full article.
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Veterans Village Breaks Ground
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida is hosting A Patriot’s Lunch and Ground Breaking on Saturday, November 5, 2016 from 11am-2pm to celebrate their up and coming Veterans Village. We welcome the public to join us at this free, family friendly event: 112 Turtle Run Umatilla, FL 32784 (previously The Cottages at Waters Edge).
Click here for the full article
A Place To Call Home
The familiar adage “birds of a feather flock together” works well when referring to how people with similar experiences find a true bond when they’re together.
For many veterans, including those recently returned stateside, that proverb often helps facilitate a successful re-integration into civilian life and may be a key part of the soldier’s survival. Veterans will tell you there’s something validating and comforting about talking to other men and women who have been there and done that. These peers understand what it was like to face daily threats and understand the lasting impact of witnessing unspeakable acts of cruelty. A fellow veteran will also understand those memories trigger recurring bouts of past-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Click here for the full article
Chance conversation with bank teller culminates in Habitat for Humanity project
Amanda Strickler and her two sons are especially looking forward to Christmas this year. Construction on her new Habitat for Humanity home started Thursday morning and everyone hopes she will be celebrating Christmas in her home. The home in the Skyline subdivision of Lady Lake is the seventh Habitat Humanity Lake-Sumter home to be built in that area.
Citizen’s First Bank is the corporate sponsor for this home which includes providing many volunteer hours through its employees. After a brief dedication ceremony, the volunteers got right to work taking advantage of the time before it gets too hot to work.
Click here for the full article
Habitat to keep building in Lake due to impact-fee plan
Tension between Lake County government and Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter has subsided after county officials agreed to use state funds to cover impact fees for nonprofits building affordable housing.
The nonprofit previously announced it would build homes exclusively in Sumter County to dodge more than $10,000 in impact fees on single-family homes in Lake. The fees are used to help defray costs associated with growth such as new schools, roads and parks.
Prohibited by law from outright waiving the fees, officials unanimously approved of a plan this week to set aside State Housing Initiative Program funds to cover the cost of impact-fee waivers for nonprofits building single and multifamily homes.
Kent Adcock, Habitat’s president and chief operating executive, was pleased with the plan and happy to continue building in the county.
Click Here for the Full Article
County pumps up affordable housing efforts with infusion of money
TAVARES – Lake County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved changes to the county’s affordable housing program that will use state funding to pay impact fees for low-cost housing programs like Habitat for Humanity.
In addition, the board increased its overall affordable housing budget by 5 percent, or $195,907, for homeless rehousing. That money would pay costs to get homeless people into rental housing.
Click Here for the Full Article
Habitat makes changes to build more homes
BUSHNELL — Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter recently announced plans to make better use of donor money and better serve those in need of homes.
The Habitat board has plans to move future new home construction to Sumter County, where impact fees are significantly less than Lake County, which is where most of its new construction has been in the past.
And Habitat moved the proposed Veterans Village from Leesburg to the Cottages at Waters Edge, a 14-lot development in Umatilla, where the impact fees already had been paid by the developer.
“Both moves provide a better use of money donated by area residents,” said Danielle Stroud, director of development for Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter.
Click Here for the Full Article
AMVETS Post 2006 pays tribute to area veterans
Hundreds attended a tribute to American veterans May 21 at ViaPort in Leesburg. The event, sponsored by AMVETS Post 2006, drew a number of dignitaries, including County Commissioners Jimmy Conner and Timothy Sullivan, who is a retired brigadier general; Congressman Daniel Webster; Lake County Sheriff Gary Borders; Miss Florida MaryKatherine Fechtel; State Representative Larry Metz; Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker, and many others.