CONTACT:  Ed Lopez
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EMAIL: ed.lopez@nashabitat.org

ARTS FOR CHARITY EVENT TO BENEFIT
GREATER NASHUA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Nashua – Arts for Charity, an event sponsored by Ceaser Photography, Sara Prindiville Photography, Warm Stone Studio, and Studio 99 Nashua will take place on the weekend of Friday June 19^th, Saturday June 20^th, and Sunday June 21^st of 2009 at Studio 99 Nashua, in the Picker Building, 99 Factory Street Extension, Nashua, New Hampshire (03060).  All proceeds will benefit Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity.

On Friday the 19^th a Wine and Cheese Reception will be held from 7:00pm to 9:00pm – music will be provided by The Bryan Thomas Trio.  On Saturday the 20^th and Sunday the 21^st the event will be open to the public from 12:00pm to 5:00pm each day.

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity President Jerry Harrow emphasized the commonalities between those who are sponsoring this event and the organization: “The supporters of Arts for Charity, like the volunteers of Habitat for Humanity, are concerned about living in a vibrant community in which everyone has a simple, decent place to live.  Though each individual may contribute in their own unique way, together we build a stronger community in which people can live and grow and achieve their full potential.”

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.

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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 email Ed at ed.lopez@nashabitat.org.

Vicki Hatfield (inside door on left) observes as the Mena Family poses for a picture for Greater Nshua Habitat for Humanity. Photo by Marie A. Matthews.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Mena Family was one of the first two families selected to partner with Habitat for Humanity in the construction of a home after the organization of the Nashua affiliate

Nashua - When the Mena Family first found out about Habitat for Humanity’s 0% Interest Mortgage they were a bit skeptical: Elizabeth Mena says that Habitat for Humanity seemed like “an unbelievable blessing.”  She remembers having many doubts.  “When we met the Habitat for Humanity team everything sounded so great…”  Elizabeth laughs as she looks back: “as typical Colombians, we felt it was too good to be true!”

The Mena Family celebrated the 10^th anniversary of their partnership with Habitat for Humanity this past March.  They are now half-way through a mortgage that helped finance the home they built together with other Habitat for Humanity volunteers. 

Habitat for Humanity has had a Nashua affiliate since December 1, 1994 and it initially focused on small projects such as home repairs.  The Menas were among the first two Nashua families to build an entire home with Habitat for Humanity; the two families shared a duplex on Tolles Street.  

Vicki Hatfield, a member of Habitat’s Family Selection Committee remembers how the Mena’s were chosen among a pool of applicants. “The Tolles Street project was our first. We had three qualified applicants for two homes. The Menas were our absolute first choice.  When we were selecting families they were living with other family members and their two daughters had a closet as their bedroom.”  Vicki feels that the Mena family has been a successful partner with Habitat for a number of reasons: “They were very enthusiastic; both adults, along with their 15 year old son, were at the job site almost every weekend. Prior to applying for a Habitat home they had been trying to buy a house at auction on Tolles Street. They were outbid at the auction.”  (more…)