{2012}
Caring Community From sponsors to the nearby church, from the immediate neighbors to Mayor Jerry Vehaun, the support for our Woodfin neighborhood epitomizes the term community. Jack Roberson donated a parcel of land bordered by Elkwood Avenue and Pelzer Street in Woodfin. Loans and grants from Buncombe County helped us develop the property. Silver-Line Plastics stepped up immediately to fully sponsor the first house and soon therafter AvL Technologies followed suit. Then Thermo-Fisher Scientific and Eaton both renewed their commitment to Habitat with partial house sponsorships. Then, the Roberson family called again. Jack’s son Russ Roberson, his wife Cynthia, and their children Alex and Emilee, pledged to sponsor a Woodfin house in honor of Russ’s mother (Jack’s wife), Betty Roberson. One family moved in to their Woodfin home last year; the others will purchase their homes from Habitat in 2013. Lots of Land As part of our Building a Way Home campaign, we are capitalizing on (relatively) low land prices and buying land to build the next 150 Habitat houses. We’re asking folks to “Adopt-a-Lot” for $10,000 to help offset the cost of purchasing and developing a lot for a Habitat family’s home. Donors receive sponsorship benefits such as permanent signage in our ReStore, listing on the lot sign and neighborhood sign, and much more. We are grateful for the 6 individuals who have already stepped forward to Adopt-a-Lot in Swannanoa, and we welcome others who wish to partner with us in this way in 2013.
Musical Milestone When Warren Haynes (L) presented a $210,000 check to Lew Kraus, he did more than make a big gift; he made history. That check pushed the total proceeds from the annual Warren Haynes Presents: The Christmas Jam to over $1 million! More than 22 families have safe, decent, affordable homes thanks to Warren Haynes, his wife Stefani Scamardo, and all the musicians who perform in the annual benefit concert. Creative Competition The ReStore successfully launched its first ReStore ReUse Contest. John Cram, Tom Gholsen, Joel Johnson, Matt Siegel, and Scott Stetson judged the 30 entries including the winning art studio (pictured). Vital Volunteers At the center of our work is a group of “core” volunteers - folks that regularly volunteer on a construction, deconstruction or home repair site, in the ReStore or office, or as a member of a committee. Dedicated to Habitat, these 291 core volunteers collectively contributed more than 39,500 hours of service in 2012!