Site for Habitat for Humanity Duplex in Milford May be Wetland

Habitat for Humanity lot on Tonella Road, Milford, New Hampshire. Photo Courtesy of Don Himsel and The Telegraph.

by Hattie Bernstein, The Telegraph

MILFORD – Six months ago, Bob Hughes envisioned celebrating his 32nd birthday on July 23 in his own home, with his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Brianna, 13, and Jordan, 10.  Instead, the family is on the verge of homelessness.

The Hugheses were one of two families selected by Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity to become owners of a Milford duplex the volunteer group planned to build. The other family is currently renting an apartment in town.  The land for the duplex, to be built at 42-44 Tonella Road, was purchased a year ago.  The lot was cleared of debris over the winter. And volunteers, including Hughes, were waiting for the go-ahead from a surveyor who was to tell them the best location to place the house and the septic system.

Families chosen by Habitat must agree to donate 350 hours of “sweat equity” to the construction of their homes, and Hughes, a handyman technician, was itching to get started.

“In April, we started cleaning the lot in Milford,” Hughes said. “Volunteers came once a week.”  When the lot was cleared, the brush pile stood 12 feet high, 20 feet wide and 30 feet long. “It was frozen, and for weeks, we chopped, breaking it into piles, burning it and finally they got the surveyor in,” Hughes said.

That was when the bubble burst.

“We thought the surveyor would come in, get the soil tested and we’d be ready for the foundation,” Hughes said. Instead, the surveyor raised some concerns about wetlands and suggested that the group get another opinion. “The guy who sold Habitat the land told them there was a 25-foot buffer on wetlands, and the rest was buildable,” Hughes said. “What we found out was that it was all wetlands, and there was no place to put a foundation, absolutely no place.”

Recently, Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity issued a press release announcing the Milford construction project had been put on hold because of “discrepancies” in reports from soil and plant experts. But Robert Todd, of Todd Land Use Consultants in New Boston, said Richard Kohler, his certified wetlands scientist, reported tests show “the soil is saturated.” “I surveyed the lot next door two years ago, and I saw a lot of wetlands,” Todd said. “I told Rick to be on the lookout for wetland conditions, to be forewarned.”

It’s a bitter bill for the nonprofit dedicated to building and renovating houses for families who need some help to become homeowners. And it’s worse for the families. The Hughes family has been without a permanent residence for three years.

In 2007, just before Christmas, their Hudson landlord said he was selling his house and gave the family 30 days to move out. They put their belongings in storage and moved to Hughes’ in-laws’ apartment in Milford, planning to save to buy a house. Instead, they encountered more hardship: his mother-in-law lost her job; his father-in-law became seriously ill; and the couple used their savings to help with bills. Realizing they would never get ahead while helping their extended family, the couple moved to the Ann-Marie House in Hudson, a place for families in transition that provides shelter and financial education. The aim of Ann-Marie House is to help families set financial goals and become self-sufficient.

The Hughes were making progress.

Then Hughes’ father-in-law took a turn for the worse, and the family moved back to Milford to help. At one point, there were seven people living in his in-laws’ two-bedroom apartment. Hughes said he learned about the Habitat for Humanity program after he signed up to volunteer: It hadn’t occurred to him that he would qualify.

To be selected for the program, a family must have a low to moderate income and earn enough to pay back the mortgage.

The Hugheses applied and didn’t hear anything. They took a first-time home buyer’s course taught by a former Habitat volunteer. “He put our name on the list. It was one of the first lucky breaks I’ve had in the last three years,” Hughes said of the recommendation that put him in line for one of two homes that were to be built in Milford.

His luck turned bad, again, however, several weeks ago when he learned about the surveyor’s report. Around the same time, his mother-in-law told the family they would have to move in 30 days, since she was buying a mobile home and giving up the apartment. “We have to be out by July 25, and because we don’t have a rental history; it’s hard to get a place,” Hughes said.

Ed Lopez, president of Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity, said he hasn’t thrown in the towel completely. “We want to see if there are alternative solutions,” Lopez said. A town official said experts planned to review the surveys, and Lopez said Milford officials will give the property “a fresh look.” “The market was not the best when we purchased it. It was expensive,” Lopez said of the $105,000 lot, close to the downtown.

But Hughes, who is two weeks from having no roof to put over his family’s head, is perfectly clear about the surveyors’ reports.

He doesn’t expect a miracle.

“In a nutshell, we have nowhere to go … even though we have jobs and a good credit report. We explain the situation, and they say, ‘No.’”

Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 603.673.3100, ext. 24, or hbernstein@cabinet.com.

]]> http://www.nashuahabitat.org/2010/05/05/join-us-at-facebook-twitter-flickr-volunteerup-linkedin-and-youtube/feed/ 0 http://www.nashuahabitat.org/2010/05/03/open-volunteer-positions/ http://www.nashuahabitat.org/2010/05/03/open-volunteer-positions/#comments Tue, 04 May 2010 02:21:00 +0000 admin http://www.nashuahabitat.org/?p=1610

Several volunteer opportunities are now open at Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity.  These include: Administrative Assistant, Government Relations and Advocacy Committee Member, Fundraising Committee Member, Assistant Office Manager, Safety Committee Member, Technology Committee Member, Fundraising Committee Leadership, Site Selection Committee Member, Transportation Coordinator, Transportation Assistant, Annual Bake Sale Volunteer, and Newsletter Distribution Manager.

Interested?   Email us at office@nashuahabitat.org.  You can read more about these positions…
 

VOLUNTEER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 

Description

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is looking for volunteers to help with administrative work in the office: answering emails, populating a database, answering the phone, taking messages, answering questions for walk-ins, and other miscellaneous duties. Some minor training is required. 

Skills

Office Administration: Experience in database entry and maintenance, strong written and oral communication skills.

Requirements

We need volunteers who can work regularly and commit to a regular schedule. We are seeking volunteers who can fit one of three schedules between Monday and Friday: 10am to 4pm, 10am to 2pm, and 1pm to 4pm.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND ADVOCACY COMMITTEE MEMBER 

Description  

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers that are willing to assist the organization in the process of acquiring building permits, variances, and in tackling other similar issues at the town and city level in the Greater Nashua Area.  Members of the Government Relations and Advocacy committee will also address state and federal issues that affect our affiliate.  

How does Habitat work with the government?

• Our Government Relations and Advocacy team works with legislators and housing regulators to increase support for affordable homeownership and eliminate poverty housing.
• We monitor public policies related to housing, community and international development.
• We advocate policy choices that increase access to decent, affordable housing for people around the world.
• We accept government funds for infrastructure, utilities, capacity building or training, and house building. We accept these funds so long as they have no conditions that would violate Habitat’s principles or limit its ability to proclaim its Christian identity.

We are looking for volunteers willing to endeavor in these areas of work on behalf of our Greater Nashua affiliate.

Skills

Communication: Volunteers in this committee will need to work on some of these issues during business hours, so a flexible schedule in the Monday through Friday business-hours time-frame is desirable. Experience with city, state, and federal government work is helpful, as well as any academic backgrounds in political or government studies.

Requirements

A willingness to work with the organization when issues arise and to coordinate with other volunteers when necessary in this pursuit, as well as a willingness to communicate with Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity’s volunteers and supporters to encourage their advocacy on behalf of the organization when specific issues arise and are being address by Habitat for Humanity. 

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE MEMBER

Description

The Fundraising Committee is looking for members who can make a commitment to attend monthly meetings in order to help plan, coordinate, and participate in the organization and management of fundraising events. Volunteers in his role should be willing to assist the Fundraising Committee Chairman in seeking donations for events such as raffles, an annual Bake Sale, silent auctions, etc. The volunteer should also be willing to help organize fundraising events, such as dinners, yard sales, etc., and should be willing to participate in managing these events with other volunteers on the date of the event. The committee is in need of volunteers willing to commit to this work for a year or more, in order to maintain continuity and help train new volunteers in these responsibilities.

Willingness to do work on behalf of the volunteer committee at the Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity office during business hours is welcome: the committee is also in need of volunteers who can help write promotional items such as flyers at the office.

Skills

Fundraising

Requirements

The most critical requirement in this volunteer role is continuity: the committee needs help from volunteers willing to work on a handful of events over the course of a year. Anyone who is willing to volunteer to meet some or all of the functions described above is welcome.

ASSISANT OFFICE MANAGER

Description

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is looking for a volunteer who can commit to a fairly regular schedule each week at the office as well as to learning office operations comprehensively enough to help supervise volunteer Administrative Assistants. The volunteer Assistant Office Manager must be able to fulfill all the tasks a volunteer Administrative Assistant could fulfill: handling email traffic, fielding phone calls, responding to walk-in inquiries, completing some database work, and distributing mail. The position requires this knowledge in case there aren’t enough volunteers to cover those tasks at any given time. A schedule can be adjusted with ample pliability for any interested volunteers, but we do need support in maintaining some regularity. The volunteer Assistant Office Manager will need to train volunteers regularly. 

Skills

Office Administration: Experience with Microsoft Word, email programs (Microsoft Office, Gmail, etc.), internet browsers and searches is necessary. Management experience is helpful.

Requirements

At least one full six-hour day a week between Monday and Friday. Any additional time volunteered will be greatly appreciated.

SAFETY COMMITTEE MEMBER

Description

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers who are willing to join this committee to support the Building Committee, and the A Brush With Kindness Committee in their efforts.

The Safety Committee is a sub-committee of the Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity Building Committee. This committee is responsible for safety process on the Habitat build sites, as well as any work that could present potential lead paint issues, or other similar issues. When necessary, this subcommittee will also tackle any safety issues that arise in warehouse and ReStore efforts.

The volunteers on the committee work to refine the process used to raise the awareness of the people on the build site about safe work practices and reducing risk on the build-site.

Skills

Safety, Lead, Construction: Familiarity with Lead-Paint issues, as well as safety measures at construction sites is critical in this effort, as well as a willingness to acquire and read manuals from Habitat for Humanity International as they are released.

Requirements

Familiarity with construction and paint safety issues. A willingness to read Habitat for Humanity International publications on these subjects and to share this information with volunteers. This committee is being organized from scratch – so it will be helpful if anyone volunteering for a role in this committee is willing to take a leadership role. This is not a requirement but something that would be helpful.

TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MEMBER

Description

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity’s Technology Committee is seeking volunteers to assist in several aspects, one of the most critical being assisting affiliate leaders and volunteers where knowledge and understanding of online tools is outdated, incomplete, or short, at first by helping complete a number of tasks but with a long-term goal of providing training and guidance until self-sufficiency in these areas is met.

The technology committee manages the office computers and other equipment. We provide technical direction for the website (content is provided mainly from the public relations committee). Overall, our goal is to make the jobs of everyone in the organization easier.

If you are technically inclined, you’re welcome to assist us in our efforts (see the online volunteer form). We generally do not adhere to any specific programming language or paradigm. We draw on the skillset of our volunteers and we encourage exploration in new technologies. We try to focus on de facto standards, but we’ll use more obscure technologies if we have the volunteers to support them and they help us serve our mission. Being an all-volunteer non-profit, we definitely focus on low-cost solutions.

Currently in the office we run Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux. Licenses to many software products have been made available to us at a reduced cost through TechSoup. Many of our computers are donations from local individuals and companies.

The website is created with WordPress. WordPress is written in PHP and it stores its data in a MySQL database. WordPress Plugins used include Akismet, Breadcrumb NavXT, cformsII, Google Sitemaps Generator, postcasa, and Viper’s Video Quicktags. Web hosting is done using Apache through TotalChoiceHosting, and email is through Google Apps. 

Skills

Computer, Typing, Internet Tools: See above notes.

Requirements

A willingness to work with consistency, and for an extended period of time rather than individual projects. A willingness to work in the office with some regularity for a small amount of time each week would be welcome. Attendance of technology meetings, which can occur anywhere from once-a-month to every few months would help as well. 

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP

Description

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity’s Fundraising Committee is looking for volunteers who will be willing to support the committee in a variety of efforts.

Volunteers should have the courage to offer the opportunity for giving to others, know the intricacies of Habitat for Humanity and be able to answer questions regarding its principles, policies, and procedures, have good networking connections in the community, have creative ideas and plans to generate resources, be able to work with diverse people, and now how to put together a fundraising plan. Training in these areas can be provided.

 Some Responsibilities Include:

Shaping a comprehensive fundraising plan with the Fundraising Chairman that includes target sources and amounts, dates and assignments.

Working with the Fundraising Chairman and the treasurer to ensure that processes are in place for donor recognition, IRS substantiation and categorized record keeping by source of income and donor. Setting up appropriate sub-committees with the Fundraising Committee Chairman or work groups to handle efforts with churches, individuals, businesses, financial institutions, fraternal organizations, civic groups, foundations, etc.

Committee members will help the Chairman maintain records of where contacts have been made to avoid duplication of effort and seek a list of in-kind donations desired by the building committee as well as develop strategies to meet those needs.

Event coordination, organization, prize and donation collection (for raffles and silent auctions), are among the critical needs in this committee.

Skills

Fundraising: Please see above for full description.

Requirements

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity’s Fundraising Committee is looking for volunteers that are willing to commit to the organization and coordination of projects and that are willing to work on several events and functions over the course of the year.

SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBER

Description

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers willing to work in the Site Selection Committee’s efforts to acquire donated land. A large part of this effort requires work in the office: creating or using existing form letters, and organizing an effort to solicit land-owners in the Greater Nashua Area.

Skills

Writing, Mailing: A large part of this volunteer role is to engage in a campaign to find donated land through mail correspondence. Office skills, writing skills, computer and MS Word skills are helpful.

Requirements

This volunteer effort requires organizational skills, accurate record-keeping (in order to avoid duplicating efforts), and work that can be done off-site but would probably be more efficiently done at the organization’s office (due to the need to cover office supply expenses, etc.). Members of this committee are also encouraged to attend Site Selection meetings in order to become familiar with the overall effort to find land and properties to rehabilitate in the Greater Nashua Area.

TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR

Description

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is seeking a volunteer who owns a truck or several trucks and who is willing to coordinate with various Habitat for Humanity leaders, ranging from Building Committee leaders to Fundraising Committee leaders in order to coordinate the loading, transportation, and unloading of goods for a variety of events or duties.

The Transportation Coordinator should be able to organize a team of volunteers to manage this work when it arises. There is no set schedule for this, so the Transportation Coordinator should be willing to help create and manage a list of other volunteers willing to provide trucks and transportation assistance when the organization’s need to move items to and from different locations arises. This is an increasingly important need at this organization and a long term (one year or more) commitment would be appreciated.

Skills

Transportation, Driving: Managing volunteers that own trucks, managing the loading and unloading of goods at different events and locations on behalf of the organization.

Requirements

It would be preferable if a volunteer in this role could commit to helping in this capacity over an extended period of time – at least a year. The volunteer should own a truck or help line-up transportation support in this capacity.

Ideally, other potential truck owners and drivers will enlist to help assist the organization during specific events. The volunteer in the Transportation Coordinator role will help coordinate these volunteers when the need arises.

TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANT

Description

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers who own trucks to help the organization transport goods to events or construction sites.

These needs arise at different times and for both regularly scheduled events or unique events. Items that need to be loaded, transported, and unloaded range from construction materials to tables for events.

Volunteers willing to provide their time in this capacity will be on a call-list and contacted for specific events or needs. 

Skills

Driving, Truck Space: Drivers should be willing to donate time to help load, transport, and unload materials for a variety of events.

Requirements

Volunteers must own a truck as the organization is not currently in possession of any truck space. It is preferable if the volunteer is able to bring assistance for the loading and unloading of goods.

ANNUAL BAKE SALE VOLUNTEER

Description

Each year Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity holds a Nashua Winter Holiday Stroll Annual Bake Sale. The Fundraising Committee is searching for volunteers willing to join the Fundraising Committee to help organize this event each year.

This volunteer role is responsible for working with the committee’s chairman in finding volunteers to man tables at the event, volunteers to contribute home-made baked goods, schedule donation pick-ups, man the Habitat information table at the event, etc.

Although the event takes place once a year, volunteers in this role are encouraged to participate in Fundraising Committee activities throughout the year, and to attend meetings regularly.

Skills

Volunteer Management: Volunteers interested in helping the Fundraising Committee should be willing to manage volunteers for the event, as well as help with any work at the actual event where we are short on volunteers.

Requirements

A willingness to work with the Fundraising Committee with some regularity throughout the year and attend committee meetings, providing more input and management work as the Annual Bake Sale event approaches. This volunteer should be willing to recruit volunteers for the event and to help cover any work at the event that the Fundraising Committee is unable to recruit volunteers for. Other Fundraising Committee members will help with this effort.

The volunteer should be able to donate the bulk of his or her volunteer time around the Bake Sale event time.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Description

The Newsletter Distribution Manager will work with the Public Relations Committee and the office team at Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity. The Newsletter Distribution Manager will be in charge of managing volunteers that have signed up to fold newsletters, add contribution envelopes to them, and organize them according to zip codes. This typically occurs four times a year, and roughly 2500 newsletters are sent out with a majority going to the Greater Boston Area and the rest of New England as well as a smaller portion being mailed anywhere from other states and abroad.

This volunteer role will require some coordination with the organization’s Treasurer and the US Postal Service to coordinate the bulk mailing process. Typically, each newsletter requires an evening of work with a team of about 20 volunteers and mailing the newsletter containers during the day through the US Postal Service’s Bulk Mail office.

 Skills

Management, Organization: Volunteers are already in place to work on this effort, this volunteer role will focus on managing them.

Requirements

The newsletter is released up to four times a year. The Newsletter Distribution Manager should be willing to manage this work four times a year and commit to the role for a year or more as it requires some training. The role requires some physical work, mainly in moving freshly released materials to and fro.

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity invites those attending the Winter Holiday Stroll to stop by its famous Annual Bake Sale. The event will take place on Saturday, November 28, from 5PM- 9 PM.  It will be held at the United Methodist Church on 154 Main Street, Nashua, New Hampshire (03060).  

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity’s bake sale has always been a well-known stop during the Nashua Winter Holiday Stroll.  This year the sale will include Arts and Crafts in order to help increase proceeds.  Starbucks Coffee has joined forces with the organization by supplying coffee and hot chocolate, which will be sold along with home-made baked treats.  Arts and Crafts to be featured include items from Karen’s Everyday Beaded Jewelry and Marie Lopez Photography, as well as items donated by Carol Farland.  Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is preparing to build homes for two families in the spring of 2010.  Proceeds are all directed toward the organization’s efforts to build and renovate houses, “so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow”.  

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. 

# # # 

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Ellen Svenson, please call Marie Lopez or Jennifer Breen at 603-883-0295. You can also email the Public Relations team at pr@nashuahabitat.org. 

CONTACT:  ED LOPEZ, PETER DOBRATZ                                         
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TEL. 603-883-0295                                                                                    
EMAIL: office@nashuahabitat.org  

(Read Some Trivia About the “@” Icon Here!)

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity has begun transitioning to a new website address, a transition that will unfold until December 31, 2010.  The organization’s new website address is www.nashuahabitat.org.  Over the next few months the organization’s website will still be accessible through both its former address (URL) and its new one, at least until the transition is complete. 

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity’s website address has been www.nashabitat.org since the organization began issuing press releases, newsletters, notices, and potential home applicant information and applications online.  The organization’s website also provides updates on construction projects, its leadership, and fundraising efforts.  Members of the community interested in volunteering will soon be able to register for volunteer hours with an online scheduling system to be released by next spring.  Those interested in donating funds to the organization can also visit the website to contribute online.  The organization is currently working on several projects to help improve fundraising as it prepares to build two homes in the spring of 2010. 

The organization adopted www.nashuahabitat.org as its new official website address during the last meeting of its Board of Directors.  All email addresses will transition as well: any correspondence sent to addresses ending in “@nashabitat.org” will be forwarded automatically to “@nashuahabitat.org.”

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. 

# # # 

If you have any questions regarding this topic, please contact Marie Lopez or Jennifer Breen at 603-883-0295. You can also email the Public Relations team at pr@nashuahabitat.org.

Ellen Svenson (far right) with fellow Habitat volunteers at the Nashua Stroll Annual Bake Sale. Photo: Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity.

Having Volunteered for the Organization’s Construction Projects First, Svenson Saw an Opportunity to Improve Fundraising for Habitat Through its Famous Bake Sale 

Nashua – Ellen Svenson began volunteering for Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity three years ago:  “Upon retirement, I started volunteering, working on-site for Habitat.  I enjoyed my weekends working with ‘the guys.’  I’ve always wanted to be involved with Habitat and liked its hands-on approach.  Since I began volunteering I’ve worked on building a ramp for a young man, refurbishing an office into an apartment, and doing the frame-work for a house that would be shipped south (to Alabama) to help a family hit by Hurricane Katrina.  It has been very rewarding.” 

Nowadays, Svenson also runs one of the organization’s most important fundraising events, The Nashua Stroll Annual Bake Sale.

For Svenson, it wasn’t just a matter of being involved in any volunteer activity either – she specifically chose Habitat for Humanity because she could relate to its mission: “I chose Habitat because I really believe that owning a house is one of the most important things for a person – an important change in a person’s life and the life of their family.”  Svenson believes this is the case because it gives them “something to work for… they become more involved in their community, and as a result better invested” in that community.  She believes it’s a path to becoming “a better citizen: it fulfills the American dream and makes me remember the joy I felt when I could own my own home, a ‘little piece of the earth…’ I guess it’s the geography teacher in me that makes me think that way!” 

Svenson describes herself as “a happy retired Social Studies schoolteacher.”  She lives in Nashua but spends most of her summers at her cottage in Alton.  During the spring and fall she takes classes at the Rivier Institute for Senior Education (RISE).  Habitat for Humanity is very lucky she hangs around Nashua in the fall: although many volunteers recognize her from construction projects, many more volunteers and local residents have become most familiar with her efforts in helping Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity raise funds through its Nashua Stroll Annual Bake Sale, which has become one of the Stroll’s favorite and most recognized stops.  

“How the bake sale started was a conversation with then Nashua Habitat Vice President Ron Dyer, who told me that he and then President Jerry Harrow sold hot cocoa and some store-bought cookies as they passed out information about Habitat on the night of the stroll.  I told him I thought that maybe we could raise more money that night by having a bigger bake sale and that I would gladly run the event. I also thought it would be a great way to tell people about Habitat.” 

Svenson began to think of the many ways she could improve this effort – not only by asking for volunteers to look through their family recipes and contribute freshly baked treats… she also began working on those small details that help bring attention to the effort itself: “I realized that we didn’t have display boards of the houses and projects that have already been built by Habitat… making displays was second nature to me!”  With that, Svenson revamped the entire annual effort: one baked treat at a time, she helped organize one of Habitat’s most popular fundraising events, and one baked treat at a time she has helped support Habitat’s mission to help improve the Nashua community “one house at a time.”

Current Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity President Ed Lopez is impressed with the event’s growth over time: “Board members love volunteering for the Annual Bake Sale, as do many of our regular volunteers – I am aware of how the amount of donated baked goods has increased over the last three years and it’s great to see how excited people are to bring a family recipe to the table – I know my own wife (Marie Lopez, also a member of the Board of Directors) has really been looking forward to bringing her own baked goods.  This is also an exciting event for Habitat volunteers because it’s right at that time of the year when many are kicking off the Holiday Season: it’s become a benchmark family event for them each year.  But the growth and success of this event is ultimately felt most on the fundraising end of our organization.”  Svenson adds: “The first year we raised over $500 dollars and we have grown since then.”  Last year, the event more than doubled the amount of money raised, easily surpassing the $1,000 mark.  This year they are aiming for $2,000.

“This year not only will we be selling hot cocoa and cider and baked goods, but we are also including a crafts table due to the fact that my crafts teacher, Carol Farland, of Nashua, has given me many of her items to sell that night.”  Marie Lopez Photography and Karen’s Everyday Beaded Jewelry, for example, will also be there contributing proceeds from any sales of their work at the event.  

For the foreseeable future, Svenson plans to remain active in leading this effort on behalf of Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity – something the organization appreciates a great deal because in addition to raising money it has also offered a great opportunity for volunteers to get to know each other.

“I really enjoy organizing this event because it gets people involved.  In fact, we have had many repeat volunteers over the years.  The Perry family, for instance, have shown up every year to help.  Dave and Pegi Perry have donated baked goods, craft goods and their two sons, Dave and Dalton are expert salesmen!  My friends and family have also been very generous, contributing their time and baking cookies, cupcakes and fudge for the sale.  The people who bake, make crafts, and volunteer that night are wonderful people who know that ‘one person can truly make a difference’ in this world of ours and are happy to be able to give.”

The Nashua Stroll Annual Bake Sale takes place at the United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 28^th, from 5PM- 9 PM.  The Church is located on 154 Main Street, Nashua, New Hampshire (03060). 

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

# # # 

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Jennifer Breen at 603-883-0295. For further publicity information email the Public Relations Committee at pr@nashuahabitat.org. 

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity President Ed Lopez. Photo by Marie Lopez.

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity has announced newly elected officers on its Board of Directors.  Ed Lopez, of Nashua, who has been serving as the organization’s Public Relations Chairman, has been elected President of the Board of Directors.  Marie Lopez, also of Nashua, has been re-elected Secretary of the Board while Chris Houpis, of Amherst, has been elected Assistant Secretary of the Board.  Vice President Peter Dobratz, of Derry, and Treasurer Karen Files, of Milford, are each in the middle of their first two-year term as officers on said Board. 

Each brings a different set of experiences to the Board’s officer team. 

Chris Houpis, a software executive at Kronos, which is based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, has served in the Public Relations Committee at Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity.  He has also served in a number of non-profit organizations over the last few years, including service as a past president of the Manchester Queen City Rotary, service as chairman of the Board of Trustees at the New Hampshire Institute of Art, and membership in the Software Association of New Hampshire.  

Marie Lopez is the owner of Marie Lopez Photography and was, until recently, working for Lowell City Hall, in Lowell, Massachusetts.  She served as part of the city’s Management Information Systems Department.  She is currently completing Political Science and Photography studies at the University of New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Institute of Art.  Currently, she manages the organization’s main office at 63 Temple Street, in Nashua, with Jennifer Breen.  She has also served in the Public Relations Committee. 

Ed Lopez has worked for US Senators Hank Brown and the late John H. Chafee.  In 1998 he was a candidate for Rhode Island Secretary of State and until recently served in the Military Intelligence Branch of the United States Army Reserve’s Individual Mobilization Augmentation Program, at the Joint Analysis Center in Molesworth, England.  He is currently completing a doctorate in Intelligence Studies at Durham University, in England. 

“We are each excited to continue working with Habitat for Humanity in these new capacities – but in our organization we rely on a working Board of Directors – which means that no matter what title we carry, for whatever period of time, we are all equally immersed in a tremendous amount of work.  We face a daunting challenge to raise funds in our current economy – which we need to do in order to help create affordable housing for qualified families, and this is a challenge all members of this Board are wholeheartedly and equally committed to,” said Ed Lopez. 

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is preparing to begin a construction project in the spring of 2010.  “At the moment we are preparing to build homes for two families in Milford and we want to urge members of the Greater Nashua community to help us raise the necessary funds, volunteer help, and materials necessary to make this project a great success.  We have at least two more homes to build right after that.  Those families and their friends are contributing as many hours of labor as our other volunteers.  We offer a ‘hand-up, not a hand-out’ so our pursuit for support helps sustain a mission that nurtures the values of hard-work and a team effort within the community,” said Board Secretary Marie Lopez. 

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Chris Houpis is a member of Saint Philip Greek Orthodox Church, in Nashua.  Marie and Ed Lopez are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also in Nashua.  Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. 

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Jennifer Breen at 603-883-0295. For further publicity information email the Public Relations Committee at pr@nashuahabitat.org.

November 04, 2009
TEL. 603-883-0295                                                                                
EMAIL: office@nashabitat.org

An Annual Tradition Returns to the Stroll for a Good Cause

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity will return this year to the Nashua Stroll with its famous annual Bake Sale. The event will take place on Saturday, November 28^th, from 5PM- 9 PM.  It will be held at the United Methodist Church on 154 Main Street, Nashua, New Hampshire (03060).  Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity’s bake sale has always been a well-known stop during the Nashua Stroll.  Despite affordable sale prices on a large variety of home-made pastries and hot chocolate, last year’s proceeds exceeded $1,000.  This year the organization is hoping to double that amount and will include the sale of crafts in order to help increase proceeds.  Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is preparing to build homes for two families in the spring of 2010.

The organization seeks volunteers for baked good donations and to help run the event.  The proceeds are all directed toward the Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity and the organization’s efforts to build and renovate houses, “so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow”.  Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.  

If you are interested in baking something for the sale, or volunteering to help at the bake sale, please contact Ellen Svenson at 603-883-0295 or at office@nashabitat.org. 

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Ellen Svenson, please call Marie Lopez or Jen Breen at 603-883-0295. For further publicity information email Ed Lopez at pr@nashabitat.org.

TEL. 603-883-0295                                                                           
EMAIL: jerry.harrow@nashabitat.org

GREATER NASHUA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CELEBRATES UN WORLD HABITAT DAY

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is proud to join the United Nations, communities throughout the world, the United States, New Hampshire, and all organizations who are supporting World Habitat Day in their efforts to “reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter.”  World Habitat Day will take place on Monday, October 5, 2009. 

Public Relations Chairman Ed Lopez stated that “the Nashua affiliate of Habitat for Humanity and its President, Jerry Harrow, have been particularly busy over the last few weeks raising awareness of the need for adequate shelter in the Greater Nashua area”.  

World Habitat Day takes place every first Monday of October and has been designated as the day for the entire world to reflect on these issues.  Over the last few weeks Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity has intensified its efforts to increase its pool of applicants for home ownership.  The organization anticipates building three homes between 2010 and 2012.  The organization has also hosted events in the area since the spring to help Greater Nashua area residents understand their efforts in the community – this included a publicity campaign celebrating a local family’s partnership with the organization that reached its 10-year anniversary in May, as well as a Community Fun Day at Greeley Park.  The neighboring Manchester affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Deborah Wyndham Concert on October 4th to celebrate World Habitat Day.  

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat for Humanity invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Jerry Harrow, please call Ed Lopez at 603-883-0295 or 603-438-6961; you can also email Ed at ed.lopez@nashabitat.org for the most immediate response.