Hi all- for those of you who don't know me- my name is renee- and i'm trying to raise money for habitat for humanity of Martha's Vineyard. I will be running in a 20 mile road race on February 13th on Martha's Vineyard. The reason for choosing habitat is an easy one, I am a habitat homeowner.  We are the 6th house on the island built by Habitat, for those of you who are not familiar with Martha's Vineyard- it is a very special place... not only for its beauty, but it's special because of the people who live here.  There is a very strong community here-- people take care of one another- people care. sometimes it feels as if its one of the few places left in the world like this. I am very lucky to belong to such a community, very grateful. this can be a difficult place to live though- with the cost of houses and rentals so much more than the rest of the state and country. I knew from the moment i set foot on this island, that it would be my home- it instantly became a part of me as much as i became a part of it.  it was truly love at first sight.  i've come and gone for a few months here and there- but now that i have children the need for permanent housing became crucial... no more living like a gypsy, no more living like a rolling stone... but how on earth could i ever dream of owning a house here? our family had just about given up hope when we found out that we were recipients for the newest habitat for humanity house... truly our dreams and prayers had been answered. i had heard about habitat before, usually something about building houses in honduras or mexico, but never in the States, and i definitely didn't know it was here on MV... the ultimate goal of habitat for humanity is to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness( which we know of very well here on MV- those of you from here know what i mean) from the face of the earth by building adequate and basic housing. It's all about just providing decent affordable housing for those in need. Everyone should have access to the most basic necessities. It's hard to imagine being homeless when you are in your warm comfortable home, hard to imagine doing what so many people here do-- moving multiple times a year, never knowing where you are going to end up next season, if you will find a place at all. It's the simple things, like being able to unpack your belongings, your children's book and toys. It eats away at your soul after a while... until you don't even notice anymore what that hole in you soul is from. I don't have to worry anymore- and neither do my children. we won't have to pack it all up again.
 
We gave blood, sweat and tears to build this house. every homeowner has to. You have to give 500 'sweat equity' hours for your house, along with the mortgage. I am willing to do this again, but in a slightly different way--- I've been training for this race since september... i hope to raise a fair amount of money for the organization that has given me so much... please, if you like me (or if you don't! :), or if you love Martha's Vineyard, and you want to preserve this wonderful community - pls. donate something-- you can donate by the mile or in a lump sum--- say 1$ a mile, or 5$ a mile, or just 10$ or 100$ or even 1000$ (hey i can dream!), anything will help. please make checks out to Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard- and can mail it to po box 1341, west tisbury, ma 02575--- any questions call the habitat office at 508-696 4646. please make sure that there is an address on the check- as this donation is tax deductable and we need to know where to send the info to.
 
thanks you so much from the bottom of my heart-
renee
 
p.s. PLEASE forward this to anyone that you think may be interested.