Habitat Williamson-Maury Raises $27,000 at Hammers and High Heels
On April 22, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury held its sixth annual Hammers and High Heels Women Build fundraiser at the at The Factory, 230 Franklin Road, in Franklin, TN from 6:00 – 9:00 pm CDT. The event featured live music from 18-piece Clearview Jazz Orchestra, great food from several high-profile vendors, beverages, and a Silent Auction with over 100 items that includes guitars signed by Christian Artist Michael W. Smith and Country Superstar Brad Paisley.
Over $27,000 was raised from the fundraiser to go toward the purchase of building materials needed for organization’s seventh annual Women Build home. Single mother Anyiir Aguto and her family will help build the home and will purchase it with a zero-interest mortgage in June.
Anyiir came to the United States from the Sudan as a refugee of war. She is delighted to be able to buy a home where she can raise her two beautiful daughters, Atong (12) and Ayen (11). The actual building of the home will take place from April 2nd through June 4th, and most of the volunteers building the home will be women.
“We would like to thank all the sponsors, donors, and attendees that made this year’s event our most successful,” notes Habitat Williamson Director of Communications Jennee Galland. “We had amazing food from TomKats Catering, Sopapillas, Papa C Pies, Taziki Mediterranean Cafe, Music City Brisket, The Coffee House @ Second and Bridge, Ellie’s Old Fashioned Doughnuts, and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and great music from the Clearview Jazz Orchestra. Thanks to our sponsors Nissan, Avenue Bank, Kroger, Doster Construction, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Staffing Technologies, Puckett’s Grocery and Restaurant, Jim and Amy Keffer, and Chip Kerr, Realtor and our in-kind donors, Westside Wine and Spirits, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Cheryl’s Flowers & Gifts, H. Clark Distillery, ONEHope Wine, Perfect Party Pix, Pepsi Bottling Company, Sarah Bailey Photography and all the companies who gave generously to our silent auction, every dollar raised goes to straight to support our Women Build home.
Anyiir is counting down the days until she can move into her new affordable home. “I am so grateful for those that are sponsoring my home,” she remarks. “There have been so many people that have helped me and my family along the way, and I will never forget a single act of kindness towards me. This will change our lives forever.”
Polar Plunge and Winter Festival
Take the Polar Plunge for Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury!
On Saturday, February 20, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury will hold its first Polar Plunge & Winter Festival at the Westhaven Residents’ Club. This fun, family-friendly event will include children’s activities, a snow machine, community/vendor booths, and food trucks and will culminate with warm-hearted volunteers taking a frosty dip into Westhaven’s outdoor pool to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity’s affordable housing mission.
Who can take the polar plunge?
All ages welcome! Anyone and everyone who wants to take the plunge is invited, as well as those wanting to cheer on the participants.
Where is the plunge?
Westhaven Residents’ Club – 401 Cheltenham Ave, Franklin, TN
When is the event?
Feb. 20, 2016 from 11am to 1pm
How much does it cost to plunge?
Registration is $10 per participant. In addition, we are asking each plunge participant to commit to raising at least $100 through donations from family, friends, and well-wishers. But feel free to set your own goal! That means with 150 participants we can reach our $15,000 goal.
How will I raise that $100?
After you have registered and set your goal, we’ll send you sample letters, emails, and tools that you use to engage your friends, family, and colleagues in your fundraising. Each participant can set up their own fundraising page through our Polar Plunge First Giving page: https://www.firstgiving.com/13234/polar-plunge-for-habitat
What do I wear?
Feel free to wear whatever you like! Costumes welcome as long as they do not leave debris in the pool.
With a minimum of $100 in donations, you will receive an inaugural Plunge t-shirt, treats and warm drinks, and much-deserved bragging rights!
Ready to plunge!
- First, register to plunge by clicking here.
- Download this handy tool kit for the event. It includes everything on what to wear to helpful fundraising tools.
- Set up a First Giving page and share your plunge with friends and family. Just click here to set up your page!
- Join us at the plunge on Feb. 20th!
Want to be a sponsor?
We are looking for community partners to help support this unique event. Sponsorship is a great way to showcase your brand while supporting Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury. Click here for the sponsorship packet. If you have any questions, please contact Jennee Galland at 615-550-5617.
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A big thank you to Westhaven for hosting this event! |
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Click on image above to download a flyer.
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2016 Hammers and High Heels
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Liberty Hall – Factory at Franklin The Factory at Franklin
Habitat for Humanity’s Women Builds empowers women to take the hammer and take the lead to help lower-income families in their own community build and purchase safe, affordable housing. Join us for our 6th Annual Hammers and High Heels event – a night of great music, food, and auction items! All funds raised from the night go directly to the bricks and sticks of our Women Build home. This year’s Women Build partner family is Anyiir Aguto. Anyiir came to the United States 15 years ago as a refugee from Sudan. She was a one of an estimated 20,000 children who later became known as “The Lost Boys.” Anyiir is delighted to be able to buy a home where she can raise her two beautiful daughters, Atong (12) and Ayen (11). Bring your friends and enjoy:
Event attire is dressy, spring casual, but feel free to wear your high heels or tool belt! Don’t forget your dancing shoes. Join our Facebook group to get up-to-date details on the event and silent auction items: Tickets on sale online until noon on April 22. After noon, tickets can be purchased at the door for $50 if still available. If you cannot attend, please pass your ticket on to a friend! No refunds will be issued. SPONSORSHIP |
2016 Women Build Kickoff Event
We will be raising the walls on our seventh annual Women Build home in Franklin in about two months! Join us at a kickoff event to learn more! Both men and women who are interested in working on the build are welcome.
No experience in either fundraising or house-building is necessary.
- Saturday, March 5
- The Drury Plaza Hotel
- 3:00pm to 5:00pm
- At 3:45, there will be a short presentation & tips on fundraising for the build.
- Veteran Women Build participants will be on hand to answer questions.
- Appetizers from Granite City will be served.
- Drinks, including wine & beer, can be purchased.
http://www.hfhwm.org/our-builds/women-build/
https://www.facebook.com/hfhwm
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What is the Women Build? The Women Build is a Habitat Build where women of all walks of life come together to address the housing crisis that faces many of the women and children of Williamson and Maury Counties. Do I need to know anything about construction? Absolutely not! We encourage women who are interested in learning constructon skills to volunteer, or women who are just looking to get involved in the community. What if I am new to the community? No problem! The Women Build is an excellent way to meet people. It’s an memorable experience you’ll never forget! When does the build start? Saturday, April 2 Are there any requirements? Each volunteer is asked to raise $250 toward the house, but if you want to raise more, you are welcome to do so! We have tools to help you achieve this goal and are here for support! How do I sign up to build? Please contact Emma Couch at ecouch@hfhwm.org or 615-550-5619. |
Those who would like to join the build, but can’t make the kickoff event, can contact Jennee Galland at jgalland@hfhwm.org or 615-550-5617.
Please help us in thanking the Drury Plaza Hotel and Granite City for sponsoring this event!
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Rock the House: A Benefit and Celebration for Habitat High
Each year local high schools band together to fundraise, advocate, and build a home with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury. This program is known as Habitat High and includes over 650 high school students across Williamson county.
Join us for a great night of music as we celebrate another successful Habitat High Build!
All proceeds will go directly to the Habitat High program.
Hurry! Tickets are limited.
Rock the House: A Benefit and Celebration for Habitat High
Thursday, March 17
7pm to 9pm
Independence High School
Bands:
Top 12 American Idol, Sarina-Joi Crowe
Top 25 American Idol, Riley Bria
Ryan Crowley
Nina of Neptune
Join our Facebook group to get up-to-date details on the event.
Support Habitat Williamson-Maury this Christmas!
Need a great stocking stuffer and want to help Habitat at the same time?
Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury is selling the “My Deals App” from Dec 2 to Dec 13.
This app is like the City Saver Books fundraiser, but is always with you on your phone!
Save 10%, 25%, even 50% off Everyday Purchases
• Discount available at over 170,000 local and national merchants and 130,000 online stores
• App is valid for 13 months from date of sale
• You don’t have to remember the coupon because it’s always with you.
• It adjusts its coupons where ever you go according to the zip code you are in and has a built in GPS system to get you there!
• The app can pay for itself in just one use.
• Works on iPhone and Android mobile phone
Purchase one today for only $20!
$14 of your purchase goes straight to help Habitat!
Click here to purchase one from our secure website or pick up yours at the Habitat Williamson-Maury ReStore at 1725 Columbia Ave, Franklin, TN 37064.
Thank you for support of Habitat for Humanity’s affordable housing mission this holiday season. Together we changes lives – now and for generations to come!
The estimated value of the “My Deals App” is $20. We are required to inform you that your federal income tax deduction for your contribution is the amount of your contribution less the value of the “My Deals App.” If you any questions, please contact Michelle at 615-550-5614.
#GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving observed on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) after the widely recognized shopping events, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Fueled by social media, #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season and is a great way to share the mission of your favorite nonprofits.
This year #GivingTuesday is December 1.
We hope you will make a donation and support Habitat Williamson-Maury, your local Habitat affiliate. You can give quickly and securely on our website at www.hfhwm.org.
We want to celebrate the day with you by giving everyone who donates $20 or more through the website that day a free gift. We will send you a code to download a “My Deals App,” which provides access to exclusive deals at merchants all over the United States. Much like the coupon books that you buy from schools, the app will save you up to 50% at restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues, but you will never have to search for it in the back seat of your car!
Please join us on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts on Dec. 1 and help us spread the word!
Our goal is to raise $7,000 to sponsor the “bricks and sticks” for one build day. Help us do it!
Nissan employees build their ninth Habitat home in Williamson County
Nissan is celebrating 10 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity by helping to build homes across the country, including Franklin, TN. Working with Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury, over 200 Nissan employees worked for five weeks to build a three–bedroom home on Natchez Street, next to a home Nissan volunteers built two years ago. The home will be dedicated on Friday, November 13 to Habitat Partner Family Merita Polk. This is the ninth Habitat home built in Williamson County by Nissan.
“Community partnerships enable Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury to build homes and provide hopeful futures for families,” explains HFHWM Executive Director Becket Moore. “Nissan embraces community, and we at Habitat are both honored and grateful to be associated with such a socially conscious organization. Thank you Nissan for your contribution to our affiliate and for your commitment to Habitat for Humanity.”
Merita is counting down the days until she can move in to her new home. She currently lives in an apartment just blocks away from her new home that has mold, a leaky roof, and no heat. “This Habitat for Humanity program has renewed my hope that my future will be better. I just feel blessed to be in this program,” she says. “I am at a loss for words. All I can say is thank you.”
Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury will sell the home to Merita at no profit and with a zero-interest mortgage. She will close on it before Christmas and will celebrate the holiday with her daughter and grandchildren in her new home.
Nissan’s contributions to Habitat for Humanity in North America amount to more than $13 million over the past 10 years. The partnership began in 2005 to support response efforts to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast region. Nissan donated 50 trucks and mobilized employees to assist in homebuilding. In the last decade, Nissan has donated an additional 78 vehicles.
Since 2006, Nissan’s employees have logged more than 70,000 volunteer hours with Habitat for Humanity, building 63 homes across the United States and serving 569 families.
Click here to see photos from the Nissan Build.
Click here to see photos from the Nissan Build dedication.
Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury Dedicates 200th Home
On Saturday, November 21, the Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury affiliate dedicated its 200th home. This Franklin home build, which began on October 3rd, will be dedicated to Ross and Laura Tierney and their two children, Ruth (2) and Abram (16 months). This is the 11th home that the Habitat affiliate will completed this year by partnering with local churches, civic groups, businesses, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, and the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to provide local families with the opportunity to purchase their own homes.
Ross and Laura grew up here in Franklin. Ross works full-time for Whole Foods and part-time as a freelance writer. He enjoys refurbishing old furniture and building new furniture out of used or recycled materials. Laura cares for their two young children and loves to bake. The Tierneys attend the Church of the City in Franklin and are involved in a community group that meets weekly for bible teaching and community service.
Like a lot of working families, the Tierney Family struggled to find affordable housing here in Williamson County. “Finding a house in Franklin has not been easy,” explains Ross. “We attempted to do this on our own, but could not qualify for anything. We have excellent credit and a solid work history, but finding something affordable was very difficult. With two bedroom apartments costing an average of $1,200 per month, even renting was prohibitive. We are so very thankful for all of our blessings and are so grateful for this opportunity to own our own home.”
The Habitat homeownership process began for the Tierney’s over a year ago. Like all families in the Habitat homeownership program, they invested 280 hours of “sweat equity” into their new home by completing a homebuyer’s education program, saving $2000 in closing costs, and laboring on the homes of others. They then built their home from the ground up over the last ten weeks working alongside volunteers from sponsoring organizations Eco-Energy, Church of the City, First Tennessee Bank, Gateway Church, and the Rotary Clubs of Williamson County.
This is the second year that Franklin-based Eco-Energy has participated as a Habitat sponsor. “Eco-Energy is pleased to support Habitat for Humanity,” explains the company’s President and CEO Chad Martin. “Participating in each of the build days has been a rewarding experience for our organization. Not only were we able to strengthen the relationships within our office, we were able to do so while positively impacting our local community!”
The public is invited to celebrate the hard work of these family, volunteers, and sponsors who contributed time, labor, and resources to make these homes a reality. All are welcome! Please contact Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury at 615-690-8090 if you need directions to the events.
After the dedications, the house will be sold to the family at no profit and with zero-interest, 30-year mortgage.
Click here to see photos from the build.
Click here to watch a Channel 5 News video from the dedication.
Publix Super Markets Charities Donate $4 Million to Habitat for Humanity Affiliates
Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) announced today that it would donate $4 million to Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the Southeast to build homes for families. In total 40 new houses will be built in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee with increased support to more than 60 affiliates in those states the Foundation currently funds. Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) was one of the few Habitat affiliates chosen to receive part of this generous gift. The $70,000 donation will fund 1 of 11 HFHWM’s home builds in 2016.
“Every family deserves an opportunity to have a roof over their heads and food on their table,” said Carol Jenkins Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities. “My father established our foundation in 1966 with a strong desire to see our communities thrive. Forty-nine years later, we are continuing his legacy. As we honor my father’s memory and celebrate what would have been his 108th birthday today, we are delighted to continue our 26-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity by giving $4 million to Habitat affiliates across Publix’s footprint.”
“Habitat for Humanity is about creating partnerships between families, communities, sponsors and volunteers,” explains Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury’s Executive Director Becket Moore. “We are honored to share with Publix Super Markets Charities these same values. With every home build we reach more hearts and hands, providing hopeful futures and solid foundations for families in Williamson and Maury Counties. We can’t thank Publix enough for their philanthropic spirit and generosity.”
PSMC began its support of Habitat for Humanity in 1989 with its first contribution to Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County (Winter Haven, Fla.). The Foundation has continued its support of Habitat for Humanity, donating more than $1.1 million to Habitat affiliates in 2014. This year’s $4 million contribution to Habitat for Humanity affiliates is over three times the amount previously given in any year and will support more than 80 Habitat affiliates across the Southeast.
George Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as “Mr. George” believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the Foundation with the vision that it would continue giving long after he was gone. Under the leadership of Carol Jenkins Barnett, Mr. George’s daughter, Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates.
