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"SOME GIFTS DON'T COME WRAPPED"

On Saturday, December 20, two Quad City families received the keys to a gift they'd been working towards for more than a year- a home.

 

 

Amber VanThournout's three excited children eagerly gave tours of their new two story Habitat home to the dozens of volunteers, sponsors, and friends who gathered for the morning's home dedication ceremony and open house. Sponsors included Quad City Area Realtor Association and their affiliates, Scott County Housing Council, Wells Fargo, Northwest Mechanical, and Roy E. Murray Foundation.

 

At noon in East Moline, a gracious Cathy Jones greeted guests at the dedication of her family's home, Habitat's 60th, which was sponsored by Alcoa. Hugs, laughter, and stories from the five months of construction filled the 1,100 square foot home built by Cathy, Alcoa employees, and Habitat volunteers. All the hands who made the home possible were in attendace including East Moline Mayor John Thodos, Alderman Roseann Cervantes, and lot donors Tony & Linda Gomez.


Habitat Board Member and City of Rock Island employee Mary Chappell summed up the memorable day, saying "Some girfts don't come wrapped."

 

 

AND THE WINNER IS....

It's a tie! For the first time in the event's three year history, two winners will share the title of "Ms. Habitat". They are Susan Ingold from Alcoa and Jill Weaver from Modern Woodmen of America. Both are active Habitat volunteers.

Four other contestants competed for the title at Habitat's signature fundraiser on October 18. They were Ron Danner of Ryan Companies, John Marx from the Dispatch/Argus, Rock Island's Mayor ProTem Dennis Pauley, and Bill Palos of Re/Max River Cities. Judges included Dana Wilkinson of Paragon Interiors; community volunteer Judy Krieter of Davenport; Jim Russell of Russell Construction; Esta Helpenstell of the Amy Helpenstell Foundation; Jan Windmiller of Windmiller Design & Development; and Brian Hollenbeck of Renaissance Rock Island.

More than 220 were in attendace at the organization's biggest fundraiser to date, which also featured a silent auction, appetizers, and a moving address by Habitat partner family-turned volunteer Linda Creighton. The evening was hosted by honorary Chairs Mike & Kim Whalen of Heart of America Inns & Suites and Andy & Debi Butler of Butler Insurance and major sponsors were Iowa American Water and Whitey's Ice Cream.


"TODAY IS FOR OUR KIDS"
HABITAT BREAKS GROUND ON #57

July 26 had been a long time coming for Jerry Johnson and Christina Danielson. Seven sponsors joined Habitat in breaking ground on the family's new home at 434 6th Street in Moline. "Today is for our kids," Christina said looking at the couple's five children.

Major funding will come from the Dr. Walter E. Neiswanger Community Fund, established by "Dr. N", before his passing in 2007. Habitat folks lovingly referred to him as our “angel” because of his giving spirit and passion for good works. The Amy Helpenstell Foundation, who helps sponsor a home yearly, and Wells Fargo, co-sponsor of five homes this year, are also top contributors.

Additional funding will come from the Duncan J. Cameron Family Foundation, Moline Foundation, Habitat ReStore and Sam’s Club. The lot for this property was acquired through the assistance of the City of Moline. This will be the 9th house that Habitat has built in Moline.

ALCOA CELEBRATES 60 YEARS
WITH 60TH HABITAT HOME

THere are many ways to celebrate 60 years of business, but for one local manufacturer, there are four that stand out. They are Cathy, Anna, Carlos, and Andrew and they are the recipients of Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities’ house #60.

On July 19, Alcoa and Habitat joined hands to break ground on Habitat’s 60th home and commemorate Alcoa’s sixty-year presence in the Quad Cities. The home will be located at 1447 18th Street in East Moline and is sponsored entirely by Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation. In addition to the sponsorship, many Alcoa Davenport Works employees will provide volunteer labor to help construct the home. Employees will work alongside the partner family, who will contribute 250 hours of labor per adult family member.

Pictured are partner family member Cathy Jones (left) and Habitat Board President Deb Schaller (right).

CAR WASH FOR HUMANITY SPONSORS HOMES

Sam Wagner was just 16 years old when he got the idea to sponsor a Habitat home. Since each Habitat house costs around $70,000 to construct, Sam knew he would have to rally friends to put this idea into action. Two years later, Sam and his fellow members at Our Lady of Victory Youth Group had raised over $33,000 through their annual car washes toward the construction of two Habitat homes.

 

Sam is pictured here with partner family Angela Brewer, the new owner of Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities house #53, which he and the "Car Wash for Humanity" helped sponsor. At the dedicaiton of Angela's home on May 10, Sam said that Habitat inspired him to “put ideas into action” and is literally “changing the world one nail at a time”.

 

 

November Newsletter Available for Download

 

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Upcoming Events

Volunteer Orientation
Jan. 10 at 10am
Jan. 20 at 7pm
1st Congregational Church, 7th Ave in Moline
No RSVP needed.

 

Habitat ReStore 6th Anniversary
Jan. 14-17
Drawings, discounts, 25% off everything Jan. 16!
3629 Mississippi Ave.
Davenport