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WVHH BREAKS GROUND ON HOUSE #11

The sun shown brightly this 23rd day of February 2008 as WVHH conducted the ground breaking ceremony for our 11th Habitat house in the Wimberley Valley. Partner family Diane Lewis and her daughter Carleigh, accompanied by her friends and family, and WVHH Board members and volunteers were in attendance. View our slide show above, and please join us as we start work on this new home. See our article under "News" for more details on the groundbreaking.

NOTES FROM THE ROOFTOP ----- Summer - 2008

What a joy it is to work as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in the Wimberley Valley. Not only do we, who like to build things, get to build a house from the ground up, but we also get to work with the community organizations, the businesses, the churches, and the many other volunteers who support Habitat’s work. And then, on top of all that is the joy of getting to know our partner families who help build and then own the homes that we as a community build.

As you will read in this Newsletter, we are currently building our 11th home in the Wimberley Valley along with our current partner family, Diane Lewis and her young daughter, Carleigh. We have already selected our partner family for our 12th home, which will begin construction late this year. Our 12th partner will be Judy Roberts and her four children. For Judy, due to her larger family size, we will be building a four bedroom home. All our partners must earn “sweat equity” by helping to build Habitat homes. Diane is working on her home that she will purchase this summer and Judy has already begun earning her 300 sweat equity hours by also working on the home.

The mission of Habitat is to build decent, affordable homes for persons in need. To help keep the cost of construction low, many businesses donate or discount materials and services for the home. I am constantly gratified at the support Habitat receives from businesses – Hill Country Plumbing donates all plumbing installation; Tilson Homes donates all flooring materials and installation; Driftwood Surveying donates lot surveying; K & J Woodworks donates cabinets; Moore Supply donates plumbing fixtures; James Hardie Products donates pre-painted Hardie siding and trim; Knights of Columbus donates funds for foam insulation and roof framing; Independence Title donates title services; Darrell Peterson Electrical donates electrical installation; Jim’s Rentall donates equipment use; and many others.

Finally, my hat is tipped in thanks to the volunteers from throughout the community who give of their time each week to work for Habitat, either building the home or working at the Village Store. Thank you to the area churches, organizations, and individuals who donate funds to allow Wimberley Valley Habitat for Humanity to continue to operate. We always welcome new volunteers and business supporters. And, there is a need for volunteers to serve on the WVHH Board of Directors or on one of several committees that do the work of Habitat locally. Contact a Board Member or go to our website at www.wimberleyhabitat.org to volunteer. Thanks for your support!

Jim McMeans, President