Habitat for Humanity Plans to Build Hope in Ashe

By Allison Canter

The first annual Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Blueprint Breakfast, "Building Hope in Ashe County" was held

Saturday, May 16, at Jefferson Landing. People were informed of the HFH's goals to aquire land via donation or purchase; select a family for the first HFH house and raise $125,000 for the building of the first HFH house.

Ashe County HCH's hopes to build one house every year. The welcome was given by President Jeannie Tygielski followed by invocation by Rev. Mary Katherine Robinson of Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church.

Elon University Chaplain Rev. Richard McBride spoke and shared his experience with the campus chapter of HFH at Elon as he has been the advisor since its conception. They have built 18 houses in the 20 years that they have been an affiliate. He spoke about the ways the community can partner with HFH to create decent housing for people in need. HFH partners with churches, businesses, local and state governments and individuals through monetary donations, volunteer time and land donation.

Ashe Habitat's Board members will be speaking to organizations and clubs throughout the county about how the process works and how others can help. Contact Brian "Doc" Adams at (336) 877-9080 to arrange for a speaker to make a presentation to your company or organization.

Vice President Tracy Lynn Schuster announced the invitation to give. $12,000 was collected and the group also received over $70,500 in pledges for the next five years.

The group is still searching for volunteers, especially in fund development, site selection and family support. Other items needed include land for the first house to be built on and several tools.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization with a mission to make safe, affordable housing available to all in Ashe. Habitat is not a giveaway program, and families who are selected will be expected to participate in the entire process.

The board of directors are all volunteers from Ashe County and give of their time and talents to spread the mission of Habitat.

Tracy-Lynn Schuster, the vice president and fund development chairperson for Ashe Co HFH, said "We would like to thank all the table captains and participants that came.

The turn out was amazing and really showed the community's dedication to making Ashe a better place to live. It is through the community that ACHFH will succeed in reaching their goals and to build hope in Ashe County, one house at a time."

Ashe HFH also wished to thank Carolina Printing, Elevation Web Design, Mary Katherine Robinson of Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church, Rev. Richard McBride and Jefferson Landing.

Currently, the HFH is located beside the Chamber of Commerce. Next month the group will move to a new location that will be released at a later date.

On Saturday, June 27, HFH will hold a fundraiser yard sale at Family Central. Donations are welcome.

For more information, contact the Ashe HFH at (336) 846-1251 or click to www.ashehabitat.org.