Current News from Forks
UNDER THE watchful eye of Harry Gravatte, the sidewalks have been installed and looking really great. In fact, they are arguably the best in town. The final phase will be the filling in of the road shoulder, and this will be taken care off as soon as the city has crushed old paving and can produce enough raw material for us to complete this last operation.
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We do not have word as yet whether another home is to be started in Forks, but everything is proceeding pretty much on schedule with Richard Drake’s home at the Peninsular Village site located in Port Angeles.
Urgent Need for Volunteer
Grant Writer
Grant Writing is a major source of funds used to build Habitat houses. Without these funds, the affiliate is limited in providing homes for families seeking decent housing. An experienced grant writer is a much-needed addition to the Fund-raising Committee. Call Fund-raising Committee member Lou Templeton, (360) 504-2060 for information on how you can help.
ReStore helps build
Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers considering expanding the ReStore
Just three months after opening, organizers are deeming ReStore a complete success. The home improvement store, a division of Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, sells a variety of appliances, cabinets and cupboards, carpets and rugs, doors, electrical supplies, flooring, furniture, garden tools, hardware, fixtures and windows and resells the items below retail prices.All proceeds - after business expenses - go toward building affordable homes in Clallam County.Business has been so steady that volunteers are considering opening the store a fourth day a week and possibly adding a delivery service in addition to the existing pick-up service this summer. ReStore welcomes an average of 130 visitors per
day and has received multiple donations from more than 90 individuals and businesses in the community since opening.
“It’s been a really good start and we are pleased with the response we are getting from the community,” said volunteer Jim Taft, former board president.
“The demand is there, the need is there and the desire is there for us.”
The only complaint, Taft said, is that the store would benefit from receiving even more donations.
ReStore, after all, does much more than just sell products, said Bob Eichhorn, store manager.
He described a program in conjunction with OlyCAP that provides vocational training, skills development and résumé building for students and individuals completing community service requirements through the court system.
Participants are “hired” as volunteers and given on-the-job communication and clerical training.
“Donations are the fuel that feeds the fire,” Eichhorn said. “Without donations, we can’t keep doing all that we do.”
Projects in progress
Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County is in the process of getting approval and funding to start the Maloney Heights project in Port Angeles, a joint effort with Serenity House to build 14 houses and a 28-unit apartment building. Board members hope to break ground in June. All the while, members are searching for building opportunities in Sequim. “We would really love to be back in Sequim again,” Taft said. “We just need to be able to find affordable land there.”
More than 15 of the organization’s construction volunteers and about 80 percent of store volunteers are from Sequim.
If land were donated or sold at an “affordable” price, Habitat potentially could work on two projects - one in Port Angeles and one in Sequim - at the same time, Taft said. Habitat for Humanity has completed 20 homes in Sequim, Port Angeles and Forks, all carrying a zero percent interest Habitat mortgage. The last house built in Sequim was completed in mid-2006 on Maizie Court.
Reprinted with permission from Sequim Gazette, March 2009.
Goods for the greater good
Donate goods to Habitat for Humanity and keep furniture, appliances and building materials out of landfills. ReStore, a home improvement warehouse owned and operated by Habitat for Humanity, especially needs large appliances, cabinets and cupboards, electrical supplies and fittings, wiring, furniture, furnishings and light fixtures. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. Pick-up hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday. A complete list of acceptable items is available here, and also at the store, 728 E. Front St., Port Angeles, or by calling 417-7543.
Those of you who may be interested in becoming a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County, whether it be to help in the all-important role of construction - beginner and or experienced, it matters not, all will be most welcome - assisting in the ReStore, office help or any of the many other choices, please feel free to call the office at (360) 681-6780 or, should you prefer, you can choose the Downloadable PDF Application Form or even use the Electronic Version for direct contact. It is, without a doubt, a very satisfying and, indeed, a truly rewarding service for your community, to help those who may be somewhat less fortunate than yourself, and you are assured of learning many new skills along with making many new acquaintances.
Despite the fact that quite a few new members have been joining in this very rewarding enterprise of helping out our less fortunate neighbors, we can always use additional help. The larger the volunteer base, the more we can accomplish in a shorter time. Should you, or an acquaintance, be interested in joining us in this worthwhile endeavor, please click on the following links that will access our Volunteer Sign-Up sheet: Volunteer Sign-Up Form: Electronic Version or the Downloadable PDF
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