Why We Build

This month's featured volunteer at Habitat for Humanity East Bay is Amy Schleicher. She's a 17 year old junior at San Ramon High School, and she filmed a wonderful documentary about Habitat for Humanity called "Building a Better Future". It covers the great need for decent, affordable housing, has interviews with some staff and volunteers, and highlights Sonnie Dae's story. Not only did Amy create this great piece, but she won 2nd place at the First Annual Bay Area Social Issues Documentary Film Contest (SI DocFest) for it. Way to go, Amy! You can view the video on Habitat's website. If you want to show the video at your church to help publicize Thrivent Builds, contact Eliza at the Habitat office to get a copy of the DVD.

Here we go again!

We're gearing up for another year of building. Thrivent Builds is sponsoring another house at the Edes Avenue site in Oakland, and Habitat for Humanity East Bay is already gearing up for the build-a-thon in April. It's a fun event with a ton of activity happening in just four days. It's also a major fund-raising event, so unlike volunteering during the rest of the year, there's a fund-raising requirement to take part in it. Fortunately HfHEB makes fund-raising easy by providing custom web pages through FirstGiving, and sample letters to send to friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. You can read more about the build-a-thon here, and learn more about volunteering in general here.

This is a big year for Habitat for Humanity East Bay. They've been an affiliate for 20 years, and will complete their 200th home this year. Wow! Last year the East Bay and Mt. Diablo affiliates merged to form one affiliate covering the whole East Bay, and the pace of construction keeps growing.

Home Dedication

Saturday was a beautiful day, and a joyous one. Twelve partner families received the keys to their new homes, along with a hammer and a Bible. Grocery Outlet gave a goody bag, and the South Alameda County Thrivent chapter gave Sonnie Dae and her family a small quilt they made to mark the occasion. Thanks to all who have volunteered to make these new homes a reality!

Thrivent Builds

Greetings to visitors reaching the blog from the Thrivent Builds newsletter! The newsletter has progress reports from all over the country on Thrivent Builds homes, including the 500th Thrivent Builds home in Pontiac, Michigan. Read more about the family partnering with Habitat in Oakland County.

Progress and Dedication

The East Bay Habitat Thrivent Builds house is getting close to being done. Fundraising for the congregation-raised portion is on target, but we need more volunteers. Contact Eliza at the Habitat office and sign up today! Come out by yourself, with some friends, or organize a group from your congregation.

The dedication is planned for Saturday, December 8th. Plan to come help celebrate the completion of the Thrivent Builds house. If you've never been to a home dedication before, it's not to be missed.

Lutheran Work Day

Saturday was a lot of fun. We had dozens of volunteers from Prince of Peace (Fremont), Christ the King (Fremont), Resurrection Lutheran (Dublin), University Lutheran (Berkeley) and Epiphany Lutheran (San Leandro). We worked on a variety of tasks including electrical, trim and finish work, caulking and painting, flooring and even some hearty souls that dug trenches for water service.

The Thrivent Builds house is coming along nicely. The exterior is painted, the sheetrock hung, mudded and textured, and some people worked with homeowner Sonnie Dae and two of her daughters painting the upstairs bedrooms.

Thanks to all who came out and worked. If you've got pictures from the day, let me know and I'll post them on the blog.

Fundraising Gala

Saturday, September 22nd

Building A Dream Gala

Blackhawk Auto Museum in Danville

Thrivent Financial is a gala honoree!

A night of entertainment, dancing and live auction to support Habitat for Humanity East Bay. The menu for the evening will begin with wine and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a delectable dinner served in the main dining room. The night will also include fabulous items for auction in our silent and live auctions.

Ways to Help:

1. Attend the gala! Proceeds will be used to help low-income families in Alameda and Contra Costa counties realize their dream of homeownership.
2. Volunteers are needed to help with support staff. Shifts are: 9am-1pm, 2-5pm, 3-8pm, 11pm-12am.

For more information, check the Habitat East Bay website.