The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Habitat for Humanity to launch initiative
Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity will soon be launching “100th Home and Beyond — Be Part of Our Story,” a fundraising initiative intended to allow the organization to reach its 100th home milestone.
The Chardon-based nonprofit recently completed its 96th home, a combined total of Lake Habitat and Geauga.
Through the campaign, Lake-Geauga Habitat hopes to raise $1.2 million in the next two years.
“That will allow us to complete five homes, which would take us to home 101,” said Executive Director Michael Barb. “We also have factored in 30 home repair projects.”
Lake-Geauga Habitat staff members start every day by asking what if everyone in Lake and Geauga counties had a safe, healthy and affordable place to call home, Barb said.
“All of our efforts are geared toward having a significant impact and providing those opportunities,” he said. “This initiative will absolutely allow us to expand and increase the impact we have throughout both counties and be a launching point for all the work we do in the future.
“The organization has been here for quite some time, but we know that we can increase our capacity and do even more.”
From advocating for affordable housing, volunteering and supporting the organization financially, there are many ways people can support the organization, Barb said.
Various events throughout the year are scheduled to take place in order to create sponsorship opportunities.
“We’re really focusing on sponsorship opportunities whether that’s home building, sponsoring our events and sponsoring our repair program,” he said. “People, businesses and other organizations can get engaged that way.”
Barb also encourages people interested in donating directly to the organization to visit the website, www.lake-geaugahabitat. org.
“It’s kind of an all-handson-deck
approach,” he said. “Everybody has a story, and we want to invite people to be part of our story. Our story encompasses the homeowners we work with, our staff, our board, our supporters and the general public. This is an opportunity for people to be involved in something larger. It’s a tangible way to love your neighbor.”
The organization is planning to have a groundbreaking and launching event April 1 on the site of home 97 in Painesville. More information will be released closer to the event.
“We would love to invite the public to celebrate with us as we officially launch the initiative, as well as celebrate with the homeowner for home 97,” Barb said.