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.

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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.