Moms empower one another at Habitat for Humanity event
May 10, 2011
Houses being built for — and mostly by — women took shape at Issaquah Highlands over the Mother’s Day weekend.
Jahna Smith (left) and Fanessa Ard (right), two Habitat homeowners living in Newcastle, and volunteer Angie Ulrich (middle), of Seattle, a longtime Habitat volunteer in Minnesota before moving to the Northwest, complete an exterior wall to be raised on the Magnolia Village Habitat project May 6 in Issaquah Highlands. By Greg Farrar
Several dozen people — the vast majority of them women — raised walls for one two-unit town house and did finish work on four other units through the Women Build event organized by Habitat for Humanity of East King County.
The goal was to empower women while furthering the cause of affordable housing.
“When you think of the construction industry, you think it’s sort of a man’s world,” said Jodi Marmion, a Habitat spokeswoman. “We want to show through Women Build that isn’t necessarily true.”
Builders included volunteers, AmeriCorps members, Habitat staff members and Habitat homeowners.
Celebrate Mother’s Day at Habitat for Humanity construction site
May 4, 2011
NEW — 10 a.m. May 4, 2011
Celebrate Mother’s Day and National Women Build Week at the Habitat for Humanity construction site in the Issaquah Highlands.
Starting Friday, teams plan to swing hammers and pound nails to help build homes for 10 families at the Magnolia Village site, 2500 N.E. Magnolia St. Volunteers can join Habitat homeowners, staffers and AmeriCorps members to celebrate empowered women and affordable housing.
Lowe’s Home Improvement and Habitat for Humanity joined forces to create National Women Build Week. The annual observance challenges women to devote a day to the effort to eliminate poverty housing.
The highlands event is a part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program and is underwritten by Lowe’s. The program recruits, educates and nurtures women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses.
Edgar Martinez now swings a hammer
March 29, 2011
Local resident is passionate about giving back
To say Frank Perry is a busy man is quite an understatement.
Frank Perry (left) and Edgar Martinez pause in the middle of work to wave while building a home in February with other Habitat for Humanity of East King County volunteers in Puerto Rico. Contributed
Between volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity, The Martinez Foundation, The Moyer Foundation, the College Success Foundation, Washington State Mentoring and Zion Preparatory Academy, Perry is always busy with something. And to top it all off, Perry serves on the boards of a couple of those organizations.
Did I mention he also he does human resource consulting on the side?
“The days and the weeks just fly by with activities,” Perry recently said with a laugh.
Yes, Perry — a former senior vice president of human resources at Lanoga/ProBuild — is a busy person, but that didn’t stop him from taking five days off to help build a house for a low-income family in Puerto Rico.
The East King County affiliate of Habitat for Humanity organized the trip, which took place Feb. 14-18.
The trip was special not only for the work that the group was able to accomplish, but also for one of the members who joined them: Seattle Mariners legend and Puerto Rico native Edgar Martinez.
Join Habitat for Humanity in Cambodia
March 22, 2011
Help build houses in Cambodia alongside Habitat for Humanity of East King County employees.
Emily Fortman, director of family services, and bookkeeper Kathy Davis plan to lead 12 adventurers on a Global Village trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia, from June 10-18.
Global Village trips consist of volunteers and a local family working side by side. The family then lives in the home.
In addition to the project, volunteers can experience authentic Cambodian meals and cultural activities.
Volunteers age 16 and older can apply for the slots. Contact Fortman at efortman@habitatekc.org or 869-6007 to learn more. Because space is limited, participants should make reservations as soon as possible.
Since Habitat for Humanity International registered a branch office in Cambodia in January 2003, Habitat for Humanity Cambodia has built more than 1,000 homes and served more than 3,000 families through housing and community development programs in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kandal and Battambang.
Help Habitat for Humanity build homes
March 15, 2011
Habitat for Humanity of East King County is in the midst of construction on homes in the Issaquah Highlands and the Renton Highlands.
The nonprofit organization seeks volunteers to help build homes at the Renton Highlands construction site, especially on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Volunteers can register at the Habitat website, www.habitatekc.org, or e-mail questions to volunteer@habitatekc.org.
Habitat coordinators broke ground for the Renton Highlands project last June. Plans call for the community, La Fortuna, to include 41 homes.
The organization is also nearing completion on the Issaquah Highlands homes.
Help Habitat for Humanity build homes at Renton, Issaquah sites
March 1, 2011
NEW — 2 p.m. March 1, 2011
Habitat for Humanity of East King County is in the midst of construction on homes in the Issaquah Highlands and the Renton Highlands.
The nonprofit organization seeks volunteers to help build homes at the construction sites in March and April.
Volunteers can register at the Habitat website, or send questions to volunteer@habitatekc.org.
Habitat coordinators broke ground for the Renton Highlands project last June. Plans call for the community, called La Fortuna, to include 41 homes. The organization is also nearing completion on Issaquah Highlands homes.
The highlands site is a popular destination. Habitat received a hand from Seattle Storm players and the interfaith group Together We Build in order to complete the residences.
Habitat seeks volunteers for Issaquah, Renton sites
January 18, 2011
Habitat for Humanity of East King County is in the midst of construction on homes in the Issaquah Highlands and the Renton Highlands.
The nonprofit organization seeks volunteers to help build homes at the construction sites. As an enticement, Habitat has created the Chilly Chili Challenge. During the event, volunteers chow down on a hot lunch of chili, soup and other goodies donated by local businesses and churches. Read more
Habitat for Humanity plans hearty treat for volunteers
December 28, 2010
Habitat for Humanity of East King County has planned a Chilly Chili Challenge volunteer event at the Habitat construction site in the Issaquah Highlands. Volunteers chow down on a hot lunch of chili, soup and other goodies donated by local businesses and churches. There’s also a raffle for prizes from local spas, bookstores, restaurants and the local Target.
The challenge is scheduled for every working Thursday in January and February. Read more
Habitat for Humanity plans hearty treat for highlands volunteers
December 27, 2010
NEW — 10 a.m. Dec. 27, 2010
Habitat for Humanity of East King County plans to kick off 2011 in hearty fashion.
The nonprofit organization has planned a Chilly Chili Challenge volunteer event at the Habitat construction site in the Issaquah Highlands. During the event, volunteers chow down on a hot lunch of chili, soup and other goodies donated by local businesses and churches. The community event also features a raffle for prize from local spas, bookstores, restaurants and the local Target.
The challenge is scheduled for every working Thursday in January and February.
Organizers said the Chilly Chili Challenge should help to continue the positive partnership between Habitat and the Issaquah community. Construction on the 10 duplexes in the highlands has benefited from neighbors and Issaquah businesses.
Habitat for Humanity asks residents to donate holiday wish list items
December 16, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 16, 2010
Habitat for Humanity of East King County needs professional services and in-kind donations to make the holiday session merrier.
The nonprofit organization needs the donations to continue home construction in the Issaquah Highlands.
The holiday wish list for professional services includes: framers in December, roof truss installation in December and January, and a repair for a mobile work trailer. The donation wish list requests a mobile work trailer, including heat and lights, and a digital camera.
Contact Construction Manager Lee Brannam at lbrannam@habitatekc.org to discuss service and supply donations.
