Tag Archives: build

Concordia Students Organize Playhouse Project for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

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The Playhouse Project was organized by Concordia’s Habitat for Humanity College Chapter Board.

Students at Concordia are kicking off their homecoming week in a special way this year- student groups are teaming up to build and decorate children’s playhouses for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.“We’re excited to take part in the Playhouse Project at Concordia,” said Rob Rich, Executive Director for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.  “Concordia’s Habitat for Humanity College Chapter approached our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate about collaborating on project that would bring together students to help families in need in our community.  The sale of these playhouses will support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to eliminate substandard housing in Cass and Clay counties.”

Concordia’s Habitat for Humanity College Chapter will host the Playhouse Project at the Knutson Campus Center on the Concordia Campus on Saturday, October 6.  The event is slated to begin at 9 a.m. with the hopes of completing the build by the end of the day. Facilities on campus have graciously offered to move the houses around the Concordia campus to be displayed through their Homecoming weekend.

Each house will be built and painted by a student organization.  The designs for all the houses will be the same structure, but the student organizations are planning to each paint their homes with a fun theme.  Concordia’s Student Government Association (SGA), Student Environmental Alliance (SEA), Dance Marathon, Women’s Lacrosse Team, Better Together and Habitat for Humanity College Chapter will all be participating in the Playhouse Project.

Following Concordia’s homecoming, the custom-designed and decorated playhouses will be available for purchase at the local Habitat ReStore at 210 11th Street North, Moorhead.  Proceeds from the sale of the playhouses will support Habitat’s mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Hosts “Diva Day”

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A group of women volunteers work on insulation as part of Thrivent Build’s Diva Day.

If you happened to drive past 1534 1st Ave South in Fargo yesterday, you probably saw a lot of pink shirts. Yesterday was a special build day on the Thrivent Builds with Bound South build site in Fargo- Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity partnered with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to host a “Diva Day”. This special women build day gave women a chance to learn new skills through hands on work by helping build a new home for a local Habitat family.

“Thrivent Build’s Diva Day is great opportunity for women to come together to help solve the housing crisis of a local family,” said Katie McCormick, Program & Marketing Manager for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.

 

Women were treated in true “diva-style” and enjoyed lunch, beverages and souvenirs. “Diva Day” is all about empowering women while addressing the need for affordable housing in our community.

All smiles at Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s first Diva Day!

“It was great to see so many fun women- and a few men- come together to work on the home,” said Jackie Mattfeld, Volunteer Coordinator for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. “We had an awesome time and got so much done!”

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity would like to thank the volunteers from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Widmer-Roel, Diva Connection and members of the NDSU Women’s Club for their work on the home.  The group spent the day installing insulation and hanging plastic in the home.  Check out all the pictures from the day’s work on Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s Facebook page.

Interested in volunteering on this home?  For questions or to learn more about how you or your organization can volunteer with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, please visit our website or give us a call at 218-284-5253 ext. 2.

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity receives funds from recent Habitat 500 bike ride

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People from across the United States collectively pedaled 67,500 miles in one week this past July as part of the 20th Anniversary Habitat 500 Bike Ride.  Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity was one of the organizations receiving a portion of the funds raised through this year’s Habitat 500 bike ride event. The Habitat 500 is a 500-mile bicycle ride with 135 bikers and 40 volunteers that traveled through south-central Minnesota this past July 14 – 21 — all in order to raise funds and awareness for the need for safe, decent and affordable housing.

The Habitat 500, an annual fundraising bike ride organized by Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, gives riders the chance to build a cycle of hope for families around the world from the seat of their bicycle. This year’s 20th Anniversary fundraising goal was to raise $300,000; the event has already surpassed this goal by raising over $365,000.  Breaking all past fundraising records for this event has helped create additional affordable housing opportunities for low-income families throughout Minnesota and the world.

Habitat 500 riders are required to raise a minimum of $900 to participate in the ride, but many raised much more. Each rider designated their funds raised to Habitat for Humanity affiliates of their choice.  Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity received a total of $2,139.61 from this event that will directly impact home construction for more families in Cass and Clay counties.

“The money raised by the Habitat 500 for the affiliate will support the two homes Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity is building in Fargo this year,” said Rob Rich, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Executive Director. “We are thankful to Team Double Aces: Moorhead Ace Hardware owner Mandy Peterson and Ace Hardware manager Sarah Volness for representing Lake Agasssiz Habitat for Humanity on the ride and using this unique opportunity to raise money for our organization. Their personal connection to our mission is heartwarming.”

Since the Habitat 500 bike ride’s inception in 1993, over $4.86 million dollars have been raised for Habitat for Humanity home construction, contributing to the 2,000 homes built by Minnesota affiliates.

Participants during this year’s 20th Anniversary Habitat 500 biked 50 to 100 miles each day on the ride, often in 90+ degree heat. The route began in St. Louis Park from the build site of the 2,000th Habitat home in Minnesota.  The group next traveled to Hastings, New Prague, and Hutchinson (with a 100-mile loop), and continued on to New Ulm and Mayer before circling back to end in St. Louis Park.

Riders spent two nights in Hutchinson, where they had the opportunity to participate in the Habitat 500’s bike.home., a Habitat home that riders helped build. This year’s bike.home. is also Minnesota’s 2,001st Habitat for Humanity home.  Riders worked in partnership with the Crow River Habitat for Humanity affiliate and the Wolff family, a single mother with five children who was selected as a partner family, to celebrate the construction of this landmark home. Ride participants fundraised $40,000 through the Habitat 500 for the bike.home.

Photo of this year’s 20th Anniversary Habitat 500 riders, volunteers, and staff at build site of Minnesota’s 2,001st Habitat for Humanity home. Photo by Renee Cosgrove

Double Aces ride in Habitat 500

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Mandy Peterson, owner of Moorhead Ace Hardware, and Ace Hardware manager Sarah Volness are teaming up to ride the Habitat 500 for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.

Each year, Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota coordinates the Habitat 500. The Habitat 500 is a bicycle ride that covers 500 miles over the course of 7 days. Each rider raises funds for the Habitat for Humanity affiliates they wish to support. This year the ride will take place July 15th – 21st through South Central Minnesota

Along the way, riders visit Habitat affiliates, Habitat worksites and Habitat homeowners all while raising awareness about the need for safe, affordable housing.  This year is extra special because the Habitat 500 celebrating its 20th anniversary and the riders will help build the 2,001st Habitat home built in Minnesota, which is located in Hutchinson.

Riding as team Double Aces, Mandy and Sarah first heard about Habitat 500 from Mandy’s mom, Lorene Peterson who has volunteered for the ride by running Rest Stop 3 for the last 10 years. This may be the Double Ace’s first ride for Habitat but Mandy has a great connection with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity that compelled her to give back to the organization.

“We have a friend who received a Habitat house a few years ago and we know how much it has changed her life for the better,” explains Mandy. “Our friend now has a house instead of a rundown trailer to raise her two kids in.  She wouldn’t have been able to do that on her own- even though she works very hard and puts in a lot of hours at her job. ”

In preparation for the upcoming 500 mile bike ride, Mandy has been biking and weight lifting to stay fit and fundraising through Facebook and Ace customers, but so far her favorite part of her involvement has been raising awareness about Habitat for Humanity. Peterson says she is most looking forward to “meeting the veterans of the ride and seeing Minnesota a totally different way.”

We’d like to wish team Double Aces luck as they leave for their first Habitat 500!  If you’d like to help them, visit Moorhead Ace Hardware or click here.

Put your Pop to Work Father’s Day Weekend

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Put your Pop to work on a Habitat build site for Father’s Day!

Looking for something to do this coming weekend for Father’s Day? Celebrate with Habitat by putting your Pop to work and joining in on Habitat’s first build project of the season.

Volunteer with your dad or in honor of your dad to help build a home for a family in our community! This is a great opportunity for you and your family to spend some quality time together not only having fun, but also helping out others in need.

Habitat will provide lunch and the necessary tools. In celebration of Father’s Day, Dad’s Root Beer, courtesy of Old 52 and Cake-Pops will be given out as snacks all weekend.

SIGN UP TODAY!
Register online by visiting our website and clicking on Volunteer Up!

When: Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th from 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Where: Home Builders Care Build with Habitat – 902 27th Street North in Fargo

Habitat Names Rob Rich Executive Director

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Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity named Rob Rich the organization’s new Executive Director.  Rich has served as the organization’s Construction Manager since 2008.

“Rob is committed to Habitat’s mission of building homes, hope and community,” said Leann Wolff, President of Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors.  “Rob brings years of experience in construction and working closely with volunteers.  He is an asset to the organization and will lead Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity to build more homes and serve more families in our community.”

“Habitat is a remarkable organization and I have enjoyed the opportunity to work directly with our Partner Families and countless volunteers from the community who make Habitat for Humanity possible,” said Rob Rich, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Executive Director.  “I look forward to building on the success of this organization and addressing the need for affordable housing in our community.”

The organization also announced their plans to build 2 homes in Fargo during their 2012 build season.  The first is a single family home sponsored by the Home Builders Care Foundation of Fargo Moorhead.  This is the first time the organization will serve as the primary sponsor of a Habitat for Humanity home.  The second is a single family home sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  This will mark the 12th home built by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity as part of the Thrivent Builds program.

Thrivent Build Home Complete!

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Today will be an exciting day in Fargo, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity will dedicate the 2011 Thrivent Build Home.  At 5:30pm this afternoon, the future homeowners, the Bichler family, will gather with representatives from Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, donors, volunteers, and friends to celebrate the completion of their future home.  The Bichler’s future home marks the 3rd home completed by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity as part of the organization’s 2011 Build Season.

Partner Family

The Bichler family stands in front of their future home- built in partnership with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

The Bichler family is eager to move into their new home.  Jennelle Bichler is a single mother of three children with special needs.  In 2005, Jennelle was in the process of adopting her daughter when she was diagnosed with 2 rare conditions which caused her to lose her sight.  She became completely blind days after daughter’s adoption was finalized. 

“It is an honor to partner with a family like the Bichlers to build a home,” said Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Shirley Dykshoorn. “Jennelle is such a strong woman who has been through a great deal. She truly deserves a place for her and her children to call their own.”

The Bichler family, like all families that partner with Habitat for Humanity, will not be receiving a free home, but instead will be purchasing the home with a 0% interest free loan that will be repaid over the course of the mortgage. Jennelle contributed more than 250 “sweat equity” hours working on her home and the homes of others as a requirement for becoming a Habitat homeowner.

The home was built as part of a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International, known as Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.  Thrivent Builds is designed to involve Thrivent members and Lutherans in helping provide a “hand up” to people who lack decent shelter, offering them a path to greater economic independence. Since 2005 Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity has constructed nearly 2,500 homes worldwide, with the most recent Thrivent Build home right here in Fargo. 

Thrivent Wall Raising 2011

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans representatives and the future homeowners raise a wall on the 2011 Thrivent Builds home in July.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has been partnering with the local Habitat affiliate since 2004. During this year’s build, all of Fargo’s financial representatives participated in the build, including Steve Oakes, Steve Asche, Al Fabricius, Paul Holtan, Carla Braaten, Shad Connor, Bruce Saum and Todd Schaffer.

At the dedication, there will be a short program where Shirley Dykshoorn, LAHFH Executive Director.  Jennelle Bichler, the new homeowner, as well as representatives from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will be available for comments.

If you’re interested in attending the Thrivent Build home dedication:

Where: 1205 2nd Ave South in Fargo

When: 5:30pm on Monday, November 14, 2011

For more information on Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity visit: www.lakeagassizhabitat.org

For more information on Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity visit: www.thriventbuilds.com

For more information on Thrivent Financial for Lutherans visit: www.thrivent.com

Observing World Habitat Day: Monday, October 3rd

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World Habitat Day is Oct 3rdMany people in the Fargo-Moorhead area know that Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity works to eliminate substandard housing within our community.  In fact, by the end of the current build season, we’ll have built 45 homes in the area.  But did you know that we also contribute on a much larger scale?

Each year, our local affiliate tithes to Habitat for Humanity International.  And thanks to those efforts, we’ve helped build roughly 28 homes in other parts of the world.  So as World Habitat Day approaches on October 3rd, we’d like to take the time to remember and honor the mission of our international organization.

Today, 1.6 billion people live in inadequate shelter around the world.  Habitat for Humanity has a tried and tested partnership approach that makes families in need of shelter a key part of their own housing solution.  We work hard with volunteers and donors who invest time and money into the partnership- so that families in need of housing can help build, then buy, their own home on terms they can afford.

500,000th house

Habitat for Humanity’s 500,000th house built, rehabilitated or repaired worldwide will be dedicated in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, on World Habitat Day, Oct. 3rd.

World Habitat Day is designated each year by the United Nations as a time to reflect on the dire need for adequate shelter around the globe.  This year’s date is extra special, as Habitat for Humanity will be dedicating its 500,000th house in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, and raising the walls on its 500,001st house in Paterson, New Jersey.  A significant milestone in the work Habitat for Humanity has done to alleviate poverty housing in this community and around the world.

The theme of World Habitat Day 2011 is “Housing cities after a disaster,” a serious and growing problem around the world.  From Haiti and Japan to New Orleans and Memphis, urban areas face different and great challenges when responding to disasters.  These dangers and challenges require effective and creative policies from governments and humanitarian groups around the world.

Construction Volunteers 2011

Volunteer hard at work on one of the 5 homes Habitat for Humanity is building in Cass and Clay counties in 2011.

Since our local Habitat affiliate doesn’t have a build day scheduled for the 3rd, we’ll be observing World Habitat Day on Wednesday, October 5th, at the Thrivent Build site in Fargo.  As our volunteers work on trim and cabinet installations, we’ll be reflecting on the mission and goals of Habitat for Humanity International.

We invite you to join us for this humbling, yet very rewarding experience.  There is still time this season to join us on a build site.  Visit our website for a complete list of available volunteer dates.  For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s work around the globe, visit www.habitat.org.

With your help, we can change the reality for future generations in our community and around the globe.

Habitat for Humanity Women Build: Women Empowering Women

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Today will be an exciting day in West Fargo, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity will dedicate the Women Build Home.  At 5:30pm this afternoon, the future homeowners, the Hamilton family, will gather with representatives from Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, the Women Build planning committee, donors, volunteers, and friends to celebrate the completion of their future home.

Dedication ceremonies are always exciting, but as the 2011 Women Build Home, this home is different.  Women Build is a program through Habitat for Humanity International with the mission to bring together women from all walks of life to address the housing crisis facing millions of women and children worldwide.

LAHFH Women Build volunteers

Volunteers flex their muscles at LAHFH’s 2011 Women Build site.

The Women Build program started in 1991 with a group of women in Charlotte, North Carolina who completed the first women-built Habitat for Humanity house. With this event, the seeds for Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program were planted and became an official Habitat for Humanity International initiative in 1998.  In 2007, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity completed the first local Women Build project by building a twin home in South Fargo.

Women Build believes that decent, affordable housing is not a feminist issue.  It is a quality of life and basic human dignity issue facing families everywhere.  Women Build is about empowering women to take action against poverty housing conditions.

North Dakota First Lady volunteering with Women Build

North Dakota’s First Lady, Betsy Dalrymple, lends a helping hand on LAHFH’s 2011 Women Build.

Women Build is not about excluding men.  It is about including women and opening new doors of opportunity.  Men are often involved in training programs and build projects in supportive roles.

Women Build events have helped to construct more than 1,900 houses worldwide, with the most recent Women Build home right here in West Fargo.  The West Fargo Women Build home was built by over 150 local women who rolled up their sleeves and offered their service to help a local family realize a dream of affordable homeownership.  The build was planned and organized by an all women committee of volunteers.  The home is the 4th Women Build home completed by the local affiliate and second home completed by the organization in 2011.

Even though construction on the Women Build project is complete, you can still support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. The local Women Build would not succeed without donations and the committee welcomes any and all donations from you and/or your organization. To invest your valuable time and energy, you can check the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity website for work days on other build sites. To support Women Build financially, visit the Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity website or contact us via phone or email.  Check with your employer to see if they have a matching donations policy.

Women Build Partner Family on the build site.

If you’re interested in attending the Women Build home dedication:

Where: 326 6th Ave. W. in West Fargo

When: 5:30pm Monday, September 26, 2011

 

For more information on Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity visit: www.lakeagassizhabitat.org

For more information on Women Build visit: http://www.habitat.org/wb/

Celebrating 20 Years of Building Homes, Hope and Futures

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A home is an amazing thing. It’s a shelter, a refuge, a sanctuary. To the families that Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity has helped over the past 20 years, it’s also a dream come true.

It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago we started building simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with families in Cass and Clay counties. So here’s a little bit about us, where we came from and where we’re heading. 

Raising the Roof

Volunteers work together to raise the roof on a LAHFH Build

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity began in 1991 when Concordia College Pastor Phil Holtan heard former President Jimmy Carter speak about Habitat for Humanity. Inspired by his words, Holtan began a Habitat chapter on Concordia’s campus. Interest in Habitat quickly grew and Holtan decided a local affiliate was needed. On June 1, 1991, Habitat for Humanity International officially accepted Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity as the 609th affiliate in the U.S.

In October 1991, Habitat’s Board of Directors selected the affiliate’s first partner family. Three months later, construction was completed and the first Habitat home in Cass and Clay Counties was dedicated with more than 75 people in attendance.

This past summer, Lake Agassiz Habitat celebrated 20 years of building in Cass and Clay counties. Since its 1991 beginnings, Lake Agassiz Habitat has served 40 families in five communities around the area. 2011’s Barnesville Build will mark the sixth community Habitat has served.

Habitat 20th anniversary ribbon cutting

Habitat Board Members, staff, and volunteers are joined by Chamber Ambassadors and local mayors at the 20th Anniversary ribbon cutting.

For the 2011 build season, the organization received a record 150 requests for applications. Of the 41 applications Habitat received, five families were chosen to receive new homes. We’ll begin work on the last of our 2011 builds on September 10 with the wall raising for the duplex.

So what have we learned these past 20 years? Well, a lot. But one lesson sticks out. What we do transforms lives. We’re building safe, affordable, well constructed homes. Those things are life-changing to these families.

Want to learn more about Lake Agassiz Habitat and how you can get involved? Visit www.lakeagassizhabitat.org.