Events

When people think of "Events", most people think about "The Build". But Habitat has different kinds of events; Building Projects, Fundraisers, and Public Relations. All are essential to our goal of providing affordable housing in Southwest Riverside County.

Building Projects

Habitat is currently selecting families and restoring houses through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Habitat is expecting to purchase and restore ten homes from this program and as of April 2010, five families had received homes.

Fundraisers

1,000 Friends Campaign is underway. The on-going campaign's initial goal is for 1,000 people to donate $50 each to pay for one of the houses at Habitat Way. The second 1,000 friends will contribute to future builds.

The Realtor House Program brings together professionals from the Real Estate field with the goal of funding a Habitat house. To date, over $35,000 has been raised. If you would like to contribute to this program, click here for a sponsorship form.

Press Releases
Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley Wins
Local Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (PHWA)
Inland Empire non-profit wins award for offering enhancing health and well-being for employees. 
Temecula, Calif. – Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley was recently honored with the Local Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award sponsored by the California Psychological Association and in support of the American Psychological Association.  The award is presented to organizations that demonstrate a commitment to programs and policies that foster employee health and well-being while enhancing organizational performance.  Awards may be given to large, medium and small for-profit companies, non-profit organizations and government, military and educational institutions.  The award is based on the organization’s workplace practices in the following five areas:

• Employee Involvement
• Work-Life Balance
• Employee Growth and Development
• Health and Safety
• Employee Recognition

The application process for local awards includes an application process, interviews with management and staff, tours of the applicant’s offices and facilities and surveys from employees.  Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley was pleased to accept the award and states, “Habitat for Humanity as a National non-profit organization is very good to their employees, associates and volunteers.  Our local affiliate is made up of Board Members and Senior staff that very much care about the health and well-being of anyone associated with our organization.  We are honored by this award look forward to continuing offering the best for our employees, volunteers, sponsors and community constituents.” 

Founded in 1991 by a handful of local residents, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley is currently working in the areas of Temecula, Perris, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta and Menifee.  For more information on Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, call (951) 296-3392. 

Bringing Help and Hope to Haiti
Earthquake destruction is no stranger to Southern California.  When an event happens like it did in Haiti on Tuesday, January 12th, you can only hope that the world would rally help for you and your family.  Now is your chance to assist victims in Haiti with full confidence that 100% of your donation will be received by people that truly need it. 

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley is now accepting cash donations at both of their ReStore locations and their administrative offices.  Taking the lead from Habitat for Humanity International, the local affiliate will collect donations and 100% of the money will be sent to the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Haiti. 

All donations are tax deductible.  Below are all three locations where donations can be delivered or mailed:

Mail to:
Habitat for Humanity
27475 Ynez Road, Suite 290
Temecula, CA  92591
951-296-3362

Both Restores are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am until 5pm.  For more information on how to donate through Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, please call (951) 296-3362 or visit www.habitat.org.

Volunteer Opportunity – “Give a Day, Get a Disney Day”
Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley has teamed up with Disney under their “Give a Day,
Get a Disney Day” program.  Disney is working to connect volunteers to community need.  They are thanking the volunteer by giving them a free ticket good for one day admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland Theme Park.

Beginning January 1, 2010, you can volunteer for a day and get a free ticket to Disney Parks.  Go to www.DisneyParks.com and register as a volunteer.  Once you have registered, you can review the Volunteer Opportunity Portal and select one that interest you and commit to serving.  After you serve and your attendance is verified, you will receive a voucher.

Go to www.DisneyParks.com, review the program and sign up now.  Ticket quantities are limited.  The program runs from January 1, 2010 and continues until all tickets are distributed or December 15, 2010 whichever occurs first.

Note:  Limited Opportunities available for ages 16 and under.

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley is especially thankful to the City of Temecula and the Lake Elsinore Storm for their efforts in creating family fun at a Friday night baseball game on July 20.  Future Habitat homeowners, Board Members, staff and supporters gathered in support of the event which benefited Habitat with a portion of ticket sales.  The future homeowners not only enjoyed the game but also had the opportunity to mingle with their new neighbors – something quite exciting to them since they will be moving into their completed homes later this year.  “We are pleased have an opportunity like this to bring people together through such a fun and exciting venue.  On a personal note, there is even more joy in going to a baseball game when one goes with the ones they are privileged enough to serve.”  stated John Matson, Habitat Intern.  “Thanks to supporters like the City of Temecula and the Lake Elsinore Storm, we will be able to get these families into their homes very soon. Events like these bring us one step closer and we are very appreciative” said Tammy Marine, Executive Director.

Ken Blanchard Foundation Assists Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley with Helping Hands Project
Recently, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley received help from the Ken Blanchard Foundation for the Helping Hands Program to assist a retired senior citizen in need. The project enlisted the help of over 20 volunteers from the Foundation to beautify a mobile home in Murrieta by repainting the exterior of the home.

With the Blanchard Foundation’s help, the project, which was knocked out in practically two hours, gave the Murrieta senior a sense of relief over a task that she could not have afforded to do on her own. “The Foundation not only put their hard work into this project – they put their hearts into it. This was a truly impressive group of students coming from all over seeking a MBA through the Ken Blanchard program. As a part of their program, they approached us to do a project simply because they wanted to help. They give true meaning to the term community service – I was inspired by their unselfishness and their desire to give back!” stated Tammy Marine, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat started doing the Helping Hands program in 2005 to give assistance to seniors, the physically disabled, and low-income homeowners by performing small home repair and home improvement projects. It is one of many ways that Habitat tries to give a “hand-up” to the community. Often times it’s the small things, such as these Helping Hands Projects, that can have a profound impact on a neighborhood or community – it raises the area’s standard and shows that people care about other people’s needs. This particular project is one of over 15 projects that have been successfully completed in the two years.

Better World Together Foundation Awards Grant to Habitat for Humanity, Inland Valley and SAFE
Habitat for Humanity, Inland Valley, in partnership with Safe Alternatives for Everyone (S.A.F.E.), will embark upon the Building Futures Program thanks to a grant from Better World Together Foundation. This apprenticeship-type program will match at-risk youth with a mentor, provide education on basic job skills and then give the opportunity to participate in the actual hands-on construction of a Habitat home. Other integral components of the program will including exposure and education in safety awareness, project management, green building, recycling, and, most important: career exploration.

“ Pooling our agency resources, working together to provide homes to hard working citizens as well as exposing youth to job opportunities and community service is invaluable, states Melissa Donaldson, S.A.F.E. Executive Director.

“What an opportunity for everyone involved! This project is only made more exciting because of the partnership with the BetterWorld Together Foundation who clearly shares our vision of multi-layer assistance to families in need. This project is a model for agency collaboration” says Tammy Marine, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

“ BetterWorld Together Foundation is a 501 c3, private family foundation created by Paul Goldring Garrett. We are inspired by and dedicated to the idea that the world needs everyone’s help. A central purpose of our Foundation is generating and implementing creative and novel ideas at a grass roots level. Our grant to Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, in partnership with SAFE, for the “Building Futures Program, is a tangible reflection of what we have dedicated ourselves to support.” Commented Cari Zamora, BetterWorld Together Foundation.

For more information on the Building Futures Program, contact Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley at (951) 296-3362 or S.A.F.E .at (951) 587-3900.

Best Buy Donates Appliances for Habitat Way Homes
Best Buy recently announced the donation of seven washers and dryers to the Habitat Way Project on Pujol Street in Temecula.  “At Best Buy, we are honored to be partnered up with Habitat for Humanity,” stated Benny Rincon, Jr., Community Relations Director for Best Buy.  “This great organization allows us to be more involved in the community and it helps us build lasting relationships,” Rincon continued.

“ The gift of the washers and dryers is characteristic of the generosity and community enrichment exemplified by Best Buy,” observed Tammy Marine , Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity.  “On behalf of the families that will occupy the seven homes to be built in Temecula, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude,” continued Marine.

Best Buy will celebrate the grand opening of a new store on February 23, 2007.  According to Rincon, the community is invited to “come be a part of our new #1076 Temecula store.”

For more information on how you can help, contact Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley at (951) 296-3362 or check out our website at www.habitat4inland valley.org. The Habitat Way project, which will provide homes for families in need, is currently in the land development stage and will begin construction in early spring of 2007.

Dixieline Lumber to Fund Home for Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley
Dixieline Lumber donated $100,000 to fund a fifth home for the Habitat Way project located on Pujol Street in Temecula. Dixieline Lumber, founded by the Cowling Family of San Diego in 1913, has a history of active community involvement. With over 1,250 employees, Dixieline is ready to meet the needs of homeowners, contractors, and builders in Southern California. According to Joe Lawrence, President of Dixieline Lumber, the company will be opening a new store in Murrieta mid-year in 2007.

“ We are overwhelmed with the generosity of Dixieline Lumber,” stated Tammy Marine, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley. “This company is truly leading the way in providing housing for those in need,” continued Marine.

For more information on how you can help, contact Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley at (951) 296-3362 or check out our website at www.habitat4inland valley.org. The Habitat Way project, which will provide five homes for families in need, is currently in the land development stage and will begin construction in January of 2007.

A new documentary that addresses the problem of poverty housing will be offered to NBC affiliates nationwide beginning Dec. 10. Habitat for Humanity is one of several organizations featured in the show that is working to eliminate substandard housing.

“ Building on Faith: Making Poverty Housing History” is presented by the National Council of Churches USA through the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission. The show not only highlights the problems of poverty housing, but looks at finding solutions through programs that empower individuals to make a difference, like Habitat for Humanity.

“’ Building on Faith’ is an important documentary that everyone should see,” said Chris Clarke, senior vice president of Communications, Habitat for Humanity International. “It addresses the issue and reminds us that we have the capability to eliminate poverty housing through cooperation and will power.”

The documentary includes interviews with Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford, as well as two of Habitat’s international board members, Jack Kemp and Nic Retsinas. In addition to his work with Habitat, Kemp has served as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and as a U.S. congressman for New York. Retsinas is chairman of Habitat’s board and director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. Erin Rank, president and DEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles is also featured in the program.

Other interviews are provided by former U.S. Sen. John Edwards; former U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania Bob Edgar, who is also general secretary of the National Council of Churches; Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners/Call to Renewal; Brad Hewitt, senior vice president of fraternal operations at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; and other religious leaders and housing experts.

The hour-long program, narrated by Linda Ellerbee, award-winning broadcast journalist and television producer, will show how providing a safe and secure home is a basic necessity for building a just and functional society, and how businesses, faith groups and nonprofits can work in partnership with government programs to eliminate poverty housing.

“ Building on Faith,” was produced by Mennonite Media for the National Council of Churches of the Interfaith Broadcast Commission’s time block on NBC. The documentary will be available at all NBC-affiliated stations beginning Dec. 10. Time and date of airing will be determined by each local affiliate.

Taking the Habitat Mission to the South
Thanks to the fundraising efforts of Van Avery Prep School, (see article below) Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, along with three other Southern California affiliates, will be sending a team of thirteen volunteers to Jackson, Mississippi to help with the rebuilding of the hurricane stricken Gulf Coast the week of August 21, 2006. With the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina quickly arriving, efforts still continue to provide simple, decent housing to those whose lives were drastically altered with the destruction wrought by the hurricane. The Habitat for Humanity Metro Jackson affiliate is one of the top 20 homebuilders in the U.S., building housing for more then 350 families since 1986. A work team of ten volunteers, sponsored by Centex Homes and led by Board Member Brad Eskildsen, will be providing the majority of the labor necessary for the project. The New Neighbors program will allow the Inland Valley team to complete an entire house in one week’s time, and mostly importantly, provide a place to call home for a deserving family affected by the Katrina catastrophe. Pictured are the Williams family, who will receive one of the homes. The story was also covered in the North County Times and WLBT.com.

Murrieta girls start early to help others
MURRIETA ---- Three Murrieta girls are proof positive that there isn't a minimum age limit for community service.

Together, Marrissa Leon, 10, Tori Maldonado, 10, and Brietta Maldonado, 12, raised more than $100 for the Inland Valley Habitat for Humanity by selling snacks at local soccer games. " They're having the best time with this," said Tammy Marine, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley. "It's the coolest thing to see young people helping out like this." They have a real spark for helping people, and I know without a doubt that these girls are going to be the community leaders of tomorrow.
For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/06/24/news/californian/murrieta/21_07_096_23_06.txt