Why I Volunteer: Nate Lotvedt

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

What motivates a person to volunteer? Extra time? The desire to help? In the case of Nate Lotvedt, there are several reasons.

“Finding time to volunteer is always tough, but when you accomplish the goal as a team, it’s worth it in the end,” Lotvedt said.

Lotvedt has been volunteering with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity for three years and has participated on the Tour de Habitat committee for two years. As project manager at Heritage Homes, Lotvedt is right at home spending time volunteering for the FM Home Builders Association as well.

Lotvedt says he enjoys volunteering with LAHFH because of the organization’s cause: providing housing for people in need.

“We’re helping local people – our efforts stay right here in the community,” he says.

Aside from helping others, Lotvedt says he enjoys getting to know meet people he’d normally not encounter.

“Volunteering brings out the best in everyone and presents new challenges along the way that force you to dig deeper, push forward, and get the most out of it,” he says. “I would encourage anyone to get involved.”

Get Fit With Habitat

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

Do you need a little bit of extra push to get GOING this winter? Sign up for Tour de Habitat on March 9 and start moving! It’s a fun day to spend with your team of friends, family, co-workers, or church groups and will benefit the community.

What We are Racing For

Besides getting some exercise, spend a fun Saturday afternoon leisurely pedaling and cheering on your teammates as you work together to make a lasting difference in the lives of local families. By raising funds from family, friends, businesses and church groups, you will raise not only much needed dollars to support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, but also awareness in our community about the families that are in need of a place to call home.

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s goal to raise $40,000 this year through Tour de Habitat to support the construction of homes with low-income families in Cass and Clay counties in 2013. We need you to help make a difference!

Members of Team Rocky’s Rockettes at the 2012 Tour de Habitat!

Start Planning for Tour de Habitat Now

The annual stationary bike race and fundraiser has teams of six riders taking turns to pedal for 15 minutes. Form your teams now and start training for the event on Saturday, Marcy 9, 2013 at Courts Plus Fitness Center in Fargo. All proceeds go towards building homes for families in need in Cass and Clay Counties in ND and MN. T-shirts will be given to all participants. Prizes will be awarded for the most money and most miles and more! You may even want to start a friendly competition with an opposing team to see who can earn the most money or pedal the farthest!

Members of Team Riders of the Purple Sage cheer on their team member at the 2012 Tour de Habitat.

Here are some tips to start planning for the race:

Form a team of six riders and designate a team captain.
Make it fun! Come up with a team name, create a theme, or even challenge another team.
Set Fundraising Goals: $250 minimum per cyclist ($1500 for the team). Then ask for help reaching your fundraising goal? Ask your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, book club members, business associates, Christmas card list, etc. to help you help Habitat.
Register the team by March 1, 2013 and set up your fundraising website at www.firstgiving.com/LAHFH. If you need assistance, call LAHFH office at 218-284-5253 ext. 2

From the Executive Director’s Desk

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

The impending winter weather has me wishing that it was summer and I could be spending time out on the Habitat build site with all of you spirited volunteers. Even though it looks like it will be an eternity before summer is here and we’re back on the build site, it really is only a few short months away. In the mean time, there are still lots of other ways you can help Habitat.

Consider doubling your impact with Habitat by giving during this year’s Giving Hearts Day on Thursday, February 14, 2013. The first $4,000 given to Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity during this 24 hour online giving event will be matched by Western State Bank- giving you the chance to stretch your donation twice as far. To make a secure online contribution to Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity and have it matched, simply go to www.impactgiveback.org on February 14 and search for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. As always, all donations are tax-deductible.

Want to do something more active? Consider joining (or forming) a team for Tour de Habitat. Each year Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity holds Tour de Habitat – a stationary bike race where teams compete against each other to raise money for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. Join Habitat for a fun afternoon on Saturday, March 9 at Courts Plus to leisurely pedal and cheer on your teammates as you work together to make a lasting difference in the lives of local families.

If volunteering is more your style, we still have lots of opportunities available. Consider joining a committee to help with the work behind the scenes. ReStore is always looking for volunteers- individuals or groups- to price donations, prepare items for sale, receive donations, cashier, and so much more. If you’re interested in volunteering with Habitat, send us an email at habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org.

With all of these opportunities to get involved with Habitat, I’m sure summer will be here before we know it. Thank you for your continued support of our mission to build homes, communities, and hope in Cass and Clay counties.

Rob Rich

Executive Director

Tour de Habitat 2012 Recap

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

9^th Annual Tour de Habitat
March 3, 2012

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s 9^th Tour de Habitat raised over $24,000 to support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to build simple, decent and affordable homes for families in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Members of Riders of the Purple Sage cheer on their team member.

Sixteen teams competed in the exhilarating stationary bike race at Courts Plus for the most miles and the most money raised. The top individual fundraiser was John Gunkleman with Good Old Boys, who raised $1,782.00. The team that raised the most money this year was the Riders of the Purple Sage with a team total of $2,433. Biker Builders took the award for most miles ridden as a team, with a team total of 59.7 miles. The top mileage for men was Darrick Guthmiller with Biker Builders who biked 11.4 miles. The top mileage for women was a tie between Darla Skaurud with Biker Builders and Tish McDonald with Good Old Boys who each biked 10.4 miles. The Team Spirit award went to the Handlebar Honeys.

Angie Ryan and Angie McCarthy of Habitat's Board of Directors team check in on Isaac Peloquin's progress.

Sponsors of this year’s event were Olson-Legatt Roofing, Valley Lights, Red River Plumbing & Heating, ND Interior Designers, Home Builders Association of F-M, Coldwell Banker First Realty, Floor to Ceiling Carpet One, Ken’s Sanitation, 1^st Choice Apparel, and Courts Plus Fitness.

The Tour de Habitat committee would like to thank all the participants, volunteers, and sponsors for making this year’s race exciting and successful. To view photos of the event visit our Facebook page.

Team Results	Money Raised	Miles Biked
Rocky & the Rockettes	$2,522	52.30
Riders of the Purple Sage	$2,453	47.00
Good Old Boys	$2,392	53.90
Habitat Board of Directors	$1,965	49.90
Barnesville Blaze	$1,846	45.60
Tireless Trekkers	$1,755	51.20
Biker Builders	$1,560	59.70
Road Warriors	$1,500	59.10
IdeaOne Telecom	$1,500	47.40
Super Sellers	$1,475	50.50
The “Trade Show” Heritage	$1,405	46.20
“Wii Not Fit” Heritage	$1,387.50	49.30
Handlebar Honeys	$1,066	51.40
Comstock Hoff Lutheran Church	$820	46.50
FM AM Rotary Lobstars	$674.99	51.00
Team Western	$358	55.18
Total	$24,519.49	816.18

Crunch Time Fundraising Tips

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

Are you signed up for Tour de Habitat 2012, but the money you need to fundraise isn’t growing on a tree in your backyard? Are you concerned that you won’t make your fundraising goal in time for Saturday’s event? Here at Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity, we have a few tips to help pump up your fundraising before the Saturday, March 3^rd event. Try out these 5 tips and see how much money you can raise:

1. Email fundraising Almost everyone has an email that they are checking constantly on their computers, smartphones or iPads. Send your First Giving link to all of your friends, families and colleagues. They will be sure to check your email and hopefully give a donation.

2. Post on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Posting your personal First Giving site on Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media websites that you use is a great way for your followers to quickly access your site and directly donate to this cause. In your post, explain that you are participating in Tour de Habitat and that all the money raised goes to support Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. Let your friends and followers know what your monetary goal is so that they can see how much you are raising for this event; this may entice them to help you reach your goal.

3. Matching funds Wouldn’t it be nice if you could raise your whole amount and then have a business match the same amount you raised? Many businesses are often willing to match proceeds towards events such as Tour de Habitat. It’s not too late to ask your company, your spouse’s company or a good friend that is a business owner if they would be willing to match the funds. They will see that you are working hard to raise your amount and then they can help out too.

4. Hold a fundraising “Blitz” Get your team of 6 members together and decide what businesses you would like to ask to donate – then go ask them! Dedicate one hour to go out to all the businesses that you want to ask. Often businesses are more willing to donate if they are asked face-to-face since it’s more personal and shows them that you are taking the time to come to them.

5. Have a fundraising contest with your team members Challenge each other to see who can raise their money first! Competition always adds some fun to fundraising and it’s a great way to get everyone excited for the day of the event. Maybe the team member that raises the least is the team’s waterboy or the person that raises the most gets fanned while they ride. You could also challenge another team that is signed up for Tour de Habitat. The losing team has to do 10 pushups after they bike…

We hope these tips help you reach your goal before Saturday, March 3^rd! Thanks for your support towards Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity. We look forward to seeing you at Tour de Habitat 2012 at Courts Plus!

Questions?

Call Jackie at 218-284-5253 x2 or email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org

Get Fit, Have Fun & Help Habitat!

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity

You know those pesky gawkers who always seem to “challenge” you from a machine over at the gym? While these folks can take a toll on your energy and enthusiasm, there can be a purpose to it. Interested? You chance is quickly approaching.

Each year, Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity hosts Tour de Habitat. This stationary bike race involves teams that compete against each other – all in efforts to raise money for Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity.

Each six-person team competes for most miles biked and most dollars raised for Habitat. This year, the fundraising goal for Tour De Habitat has been set at $40,000.

Elle Tayler, who participated in last year’s event, says she enjoyed being a part of such a meaningful cause.

Members of Tayler's team: "NDID Handlebar Honeys" at the 2011 Tour de Habitat.

“First of all, it feels amazing to be part of a meaningful cause. As for the actual event, it was a blast to see several groups being physically active and having fun with their team themes,” she said. “That was probably my favorite part – dressing up in our crazy costumes and meeting other teams.

You can still sign up! Through February 24, teams can sign up to participate in Tour De Habitat by setting up individual fundraising pages and get ready to spin your wheels! The event is held March 3 at Courts Plus in Fargo.

Each cyclist on the team is encouraged to collect $250 for their fundraising ($1,500 for the team). Reaching your fundraising goal isn’t difficult once each cyclist sets up their own fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/LAHFH. After reaching out to family, friends, coworkers and neighbors, the generosity is sure to start flowing. The fundraising page securely raises money online up to the day of the event.

Tayler said the fundraising website was easy to set up and use. Several friends and family members can easily be reached through Facebook and e-mail. In addition, it’s great for people to donate and use their credit cards online.

Taylor is an interior designer and believes in helping qualified families achieve their dream of having a place they can be proud to call home.

“Tour de Habitat is a good cause that assists families in our community with finding affordable, safe living. The event itself is a wonderful opportunity to bond with teammates and meet new people while also being physically active!” she said.

Building a team is easy!
Find 5 friends, coworkers, relatives, etc. and come up with a team name. Then register your team by having each member set up their individual fundraising page at: www.firstgiving.com/LAHFH and follow the Team Checklist.

Questions?
Call Jackie at 218-284-5253 x2 or email habitat@lakeagassizhabitat.org

Building Homes, Building Hope

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity: building simple, decent, affordable homes since 1991.

Tag Archives: Tour de Habitat