Giving Tuesday
Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving and the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season, when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live.
We have two days for getting deals – Black Friday and Cyber Monday. On #GivingTuesday, we have a day for giving back. Together, people are creating a new ritual for our annual calendar. #GivingTuesday includes people of all ethnicities, religions and backgrounds. Together, millions of people demonstrate our common capacity to give.
#GivingTuesday is a celebration of America’s greatest traditions: generosity, entrepreneurialism, community. Everyone has something to give. You can give time or expertise, monetary donations large or small, simple acts of kindness, food or clothing.
Join us…
Your gift provides families with strength stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
HABITAT RECEIVES $100,000 GIFT FROM HOME DEPOT FOUNDATION TO BENEFIT VETERANS VILLAGE
Thanks to a generous $100,000 gift from the Home Depot Foundation, Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida will join Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, Team Depot, on Saturday to celebrate Veterans Day and to continue building Veterans Village in Umatilla.
The grant allows Habitat of Lake-Sumter and volunteers to start work on the second phase of the building low-income homes for veterans.
Click here to read the full article.
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.
Habitat for Humanity Ramps Up Programs for Locals in Need
Free service helps low-income residents with disabilities better navigate in and out of their homes.
By SARAH WILSON, The Villages Daily Sun
For anyone making their way through life relying on the assistance of a wheelchair or walker, navigating stairs can be a struggle – especially when those stairs stand between them and the world beyond their front door.
Beulah Slaymaker, 97, was confined to her home for months earlier this year when she no longer had the strength to get out of her wheelchair and make her way down the four steps from the front porch of the Sorrento mobile home she shares with her daughter, Shirley Wencel.
Wencel had to cancel doctor appointments and switch to home health care for her mother after it became too unsafe for the pair to navigate their way down the stairs.
Then Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter stepped in.
Since January, program coordinator Shari Kuck said, Habitat has installed four ramps for disabled, low-income residents of Lake and Sumter counties at no charge to the homeowners, including one for Slaymaker in July.
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!
Estate Planning FAQ’s
How often should I review my estate plan?
No Estate plan is permanent. Estate plans should change as personal circumstances change. You should review your estate plan every two or three years at a minimum, or more frequently should your personal circumstances change significantly. For example, it is a good idea to review your estate plan with an attorney if you move to a different state, lose your spouse, get divorced, have additional children or grandchildren, or if your financial position changes significantly. Read the rest of this entry »
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”
Low Income Housing Does Not Harm Property Values, Study Shows
Low income housing units have no effect on nearby property values, according to a new study by real estate company Trulia. The finding comes at a time when there are some concerns around affordable housing through Florida.
Some of the most common concerns around affordable housing construction are tied to home values. But this study reaffirms a body of research that undermines those fears. And it works to counteract the so-called NIMBY mindset, meaning ‘not in my backyard’. A proposed tiny house development in Fort Braden was met with similar concerns earlier this year. Florida Housing Coalition President Jaimie Ross says too many picture slums when they hear the word affordable.
“Today’s affordable housing is built by the private sector, using the tax credit program predominantly. It’s beautiful housing, it looks just like market rate housing, meaning housing that’s not affordable. Has all the same outward finishes, beautiful design,” Ross said. Read the rest of this entry »
First home christened in Veterans Village in Umatilla
UMATILLA — Reed and Michele Vonhold stood in the kitchen of their soon-to-be new home in Umatilla on Monday and were already planning family get-togethers.
“Thanksgiving at our house this year now that I have my own, and big enough, kitchen,” Michele Vonhold excitedly announced to her son, father and brothers.
The Vonholds then walked through the rest of the house, talking about the placement of furniture and decorations.
“This is a dream come true,” Reed said.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Legacy or Trophy?
We all go through or lives collecting items and memories, or as I like to say trophies. We hang our diplomas on the wall, place our medals, pictures, and plaques on desks and shelves. The rational is simple: “I worked very hard to accomplish that” or “I am very happy Read the rest of this entry »
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.
In The Community: With Team Depot
Team Depot with Davies Family
The restoration of this home means more to us than you will ever know. The structure is more than 60 years old, built by hand by our father. We grew up with love, family and faith in that home. It is more than a house, it is our parents legacy.
No words can ever express how great we feel because of your unselfish and tireless efforts.
– Karen D. Bennett, Dorothy Harris & Thomas Davis
In August our team had the opportunity to partner with Home Depot for a critical preservation and repair project.
Thomas Davis lives in Coleman, FL in a home that had been in the family for over 60 years. This childhood home was a safe space that he cherished dearly – but he needed some help bringing it back to life. Considering his options, he filled out an application to take advantage of Habitat’s repair program. After the Habitat team met with Thomas and visited his home, we started work on preparing to approve his application – we joined forces with Team Depot as the sponsor and volunteer crew for the project to allow us to provide the funding and hands on labor needed to perform the job.
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
Veteran’s Village – Patriot’s Lunch and Groundbreaking
112 Turtle Run, Umatilla FL
Date: November 5th, 2016
Time: 11 – 2PM
Learn more here
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.
New Construction moves to Sumter County
LEESBURG — High impact fees in the county have made it impossible for Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter to continue building new homes in Lake in the coming years for those in need of affordable housing, officials say.
As a result, the Habitat’s board of directors made a decision to move all of its new construction to Sumter County after it completes the estimated 15 homes it has scheduled to be built in Lake in the next 18 to 24 months.
“It goes back to the fact that the impact fees in Lake County are more than 20 percent of the cost of an affordable house,” said Kent Adcock, Habitat’s president and chief executive officer. “So when you factor 20 percent of the cost of the house, it does not include the cost of the land. You may be talking 30 to 40 percent of the cost of the house is not even in the construction of the house. This calculation disproportionately affects the working poor who desperately need an affordable place to live.”
Adcock said the organization is building homes for two families: one in Sumter County for an individual who has a disabled son to care for, and another in Lake County for a government worker whose family is unable to all live under the same roof because of high rental costs.
Veterans Village Relocates to Umatilla
After a considerable period of due diligence, Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter has decided to relocate its Veterans Village from Leesburg, FL to Umatilla, FL due to unsustainable project development costs for Workforce Housing for Veterans.
Habitat CEO Kent Adcock reported that a combination of increased development costs, combined with Impact Fees, have forced the affiliate to cut the size of the veteran’s project from 22 houses to 14, and to locate it to a site it has purchased in Umatilla.
Habitat has executed a purchase of The Cottages at Waters Edge, a 14 lot development in Umatilla. The main reason for the relocation is due to the high costs of infrastructure and development. Adcock says the value for the Umatilla site is considerable as it offers ‘ready to build’ lots that have pre-paid impact fees which, when combined with other development costs, amount to a total project savings of over $20,000 per house. In order to be a good steward with donor and sponsor dollars, the affiliate has elected to decrease the Villages size while at the same time reducing the cost per unit. An added benefit will be the ability to have a Veterans Park & Gardens on Lake Enola located in the Village Subdivision.
CEO Adcock praises the City of Leesburg staff and City Commission for their overwhelming support for the project. “We could not have asked for better community partners from the city of Leesburg, but in the final analysis the development costs were simply ‘outside the envelope of affordability’. We regret that Leesburg will not be the site for our project, but we want everyone to know that the Veterans Village Project will go forward on the new site in Umatilla.”
Habitat will kick off construction of the Veterans Village at The Cottages at Waters Edge on November 5th with a special community groundbreaking event at the site on Highway 19. A Bob Hope impersonator, along with the LC Swing Band will re-enact the old Bob Hope USA Show in a free community performance sponsored by Your HomeTown Habitat. Part of the event will include raising the wall on the very first home in the veteran’s village.
Related Articles: Veterans Village Relocating to Umatilla – Daily Commercial
To learn more contact Danielle Stroud at danielle@habitatls.org.
Plans Revealed for Disaster Recovery Training Program
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter is branching out with a new, extensive disaster response training program to begin mid-2016 that will benefit Lake and Sumter counties, and the Central Florida region.
“I am most excited that this will prepare local volunteers with the skills to mobilize in the event of a disaster here in our local area,” said Habitat of Lake-Sumter CEO, Kent Adcock, who will serve as the president of Habitat Disaster Relief.
We will focus on locals and others across the country who come in for training and certification, then we will offer actual work camp experiences for those who want to work in an actual disaster response opportunity,” he said.
The local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International has been around 25 years, and has provided affordable housing to more than 220 deserving families in Lake and Sumter counties, so the disaster training project is unique for the local organization.
“I am not aware that this is a focus of any other Habitat affiliate,” Adcock said, adding Habitat’s house-building and rehab work remains strong.
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Homeowners get fixer-upper help from Habitat
Volunteers yanked down overgrown plants, power-washed away years of dirt and replaced rotted trim boards before they slapped on a new coat of paint at a home in Paisley.
Robert “Sonny” and Beverly McKay were among homeowners on the receiving end of Habitat for Humanity of Lake Sumter’s newest mission — community engagement — aimed at helping low-income seniors, veterans and disabled residents throughout Lake and Sumter County who are unable to maintain their homes.
A handful of volunteers were at the McKay home Wednesday providing some fixer-upper help.
“Mr. McKay is just a super nice guy. He has been a hardworking man his whole life and he just can’t get up on ladders and do what it takes to make a house look nice,” said Ernie Burley, site supervisor.
The McKays were thrilled to have their house painted a cream color with dark brown trim and to get new landscaping.
“They have done just a marvelous job and I’m just really impressed,” Sonny said. “I’m pleased with the way that they have done it and really appreciate it.”
His wife of 52 years is thankful, too.
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Wells Fargo Team Members Help Build Home
On Sept. 19, 14 employees from various branches of Wells Fargo Bank throughout the county rolled up their sleeves and started work on a new Habitat home for a family in Fruitland Park. Soon to be homeowners, Lovely and Jethro came out to greet and thank the volunteers as well as work alongside them.
To kick off the work day, Lake-Sumter District Manager of Wells Fargo Bryan Cornell presented a check for $10,000 on behalf of the Wells Fargo Housing Foundation to assist in funding the home.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Wells Fargo as a sponsor of this home. Without committed volunteers and community partners such as Wells we wouldn’t be able to achieve our mission of providing affordable housing,” said Kent Adcock, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, Florida.
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Habitat of Lake-Sumter receives a Mobile Response Unit in Partnership with Habitat International and Nissan
Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter wants to do more than build and restore homes — it wants to rebuild communities.
When it opened on Bay Street in 2013, the local Habitat’s Domestic Global Village was touted as a place where up to 100 “voluntourists” or college students could stay if they agreed to volunteer part of their vacations to work on a local Habitat project.
The 14,000 square-foot facility is furnished with bunk beds, a fully-equipped kitchen, bathhouses and even a 50-seat media center. But the facility has a dual role as a training site for disaster preparation and for housing volunteers should a catastrophe occur.
“It’s very rare and unique,” Danielle Stroud, associate director of development with the local Habitat, said of the only such facility in the nation.
Click Here for Full Article (opens in a new window)
Domestic Global Village Spotlight
Features work with our Home Ownership Program and a partnership with Hope Lutheran Church
through our Community Engagement Program.