Habitat Headlines Building Homes, Hope, Lives and Community on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard

The Newsletter of Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard Winter 2005

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ron DiOrio*, President Jack Ross*, Vice President Berkeley Johnson*, Secretary Al DeVito*, Treasurer Miki Badnek Andre Mallegol Tom Burke Ben Moore Toby Codding Greg Orcutt Peter Costas Mark Rasmussen Jerry Fritz Rick Reinhardsen Lorna Giles Michele Roberts Sonya Justus Jack Street** Hope MacLeod David Wessling Alan Wilson* * Executive Committee member ** On leave of absence COMMITTEE CHAIRS Executive: Ron DiOrio Building: Toby Codding Development & Communications: David Wessling Faith Relations: Jerry Fritz Family Partnership: Miki Badnek Family Selection: Jerry Fritz Nominating & Board Development: Berkeley Johnson Site Selection: Jack Ross & Alan Wilson Volunteer: Sonya Justus & Michele Roberts STAFF Julie Willett, Executive Director Naina Williams, Director of Development Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard 346 State Road, Suite 21 Post Office Box 1093 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 Phone/Fax: 508.696.4646 E-mail: houses@habitatmv.org Web site: www.habitatmv.org

GIFT OF HOPE AND HOME Reflections From Ron DiOrio, Board President What a wonderful world! In the 29 years since Habitat for Humanity International began, 200,000 houses have been built worldwide; 1,000,000 people are living in Habitat homes throughout the globe; Habitat has a presence in 100 countries; there are 2,400 affiliates and at year end, Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard will have completed its fourth house on the Island! These are all amazing accomplishments which all lead to making our world a better place to live. And all serve to remind us, what a wonderful world! However, in spite of the great strides Habitat has made toward achieving its goal to eliminate inadequate housing in our world, the reality is that many still live in substandard conditions! It is staggering that more than 1,000,000,000 people throughout the world live in inadequate shelter and nearly 100,000,000 people have no home at all! In the United States of America, one of the richest countries of all, over 95,000,000 people face housing problems. The devastation left by Hurricane Katrina has heightened the public’s awareness of the dire problems facing low-income families and the critical need for affordable housing in our country. Even on this seemingly idyllic island of Martha’s Vineyard, we are plagued with neighbors living in less than standard conditions. Our phones at the Habitat office ring constantly with calls from families inquiring about our next house and how they might qualify for consideration as a recipient. In our last selection process, 40 worthy applicants applied for the single house we were building. And as we begin another selection process in February 2006, I suspect the number of applicants for our next house will increase! There are indeed many triumphs to celebrate, but there are still too many tribulations to ignore! I am honored to be the President of Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard and proud of the strides we have made to make our Island a better place for all to live. I humbly ask for your support as we continue to bring houses and hope to families in desperate need of both. To all who have helped us to get where we are today and will continue to keep us going, we thank you for your support! To all who are making a donation to our organization as a result of this newsletter, we thank you! Habitat helps families who simply need a hand up to overcome the barriers that low incomes often impose. The housing needs on Martha’s Vineyard and across the world are immense, but it is our resolve to meet these demands. And with your support...we will make a difference...one house at a time! Wishing you a happy holiday season and all the best in the upcoming year.

WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE WORLD OF HABITAT FUNDRAISING? The evening of Thursday, August 18, 2005 proved to be a special one for all who attended the summer benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard. The capacity audience at the Performing Arts Center was treated to a sensational and amazing performance by “Lorraine Graves and Friends” featuring principal dancers from the legendary Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Todd Rosenlieb Dance Company. The creative and tantalizing dances merged the best of ballet, modern and jazz and were performed to music ranging from Keb Mo’ and Nat King Cole to Dvorak and Wordplay. The evening concluded with a riveting dance that brought the crowd of over 700 to their feet with thunderous applauds. The ensemble dedicated the dance “Unforgettable” to Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard and we couldn’t have received a better tribute, as the event was unquestionably unforgettable! The benefit was a great success for our affiliate and those in attendance truly seemed to enjoy the venue. We realize that our success was derived as a direct result of the many individuals and organizations graciously lending their support. Morgan Stanley and an anonymous donor financially sponsored the event, which opened up the doors of possibilities for our organization. Many local businesses helped by providing discounts, services or supplies. Volunteers helped in so many facets and the several hundred patrons who not only purchased tickets, but made additional donations, all lead to the event being as successful as it was. We could not have done it without you...so on all counts, thank you one and all who made our first summer benefit “unforgettable”! The performance was so well received that we’re bringing the dancers back in August of 2006. So make certain to plan to be at next year’s performance as the dancers return for yet another evening filled with power, precision and passion! But “that’s not all folks”, as we have several more events planned for 2005, which we hope you’ll be able to attend. On Saturday, December 3, we will have a holiday benefit from which 50% of the proceeds will go to Habitat International’s “Operation Home Delivery” to help the victims of the hurricanes in the gulf area. Please

join us at the Atlantic Connection in Oak Bluffs for Habitat’s 2^nd Annual “Home for the Holidays” concert performed by students from the Contemporary Music Center. Theperformance starts at 7:00 pm for the family, 9:30 pm for those over 21, tickets are $15.00, $10.00 for students, and will be available at the door and also at aboveground Records, Alley’s General Store, Bunch of Grapes and Craftworks. This is an enjoyable event for the entire family with fun renditions of your favorite holiday classics. We will also have a homemade gingerbread house that one lucky recipient of our raffle will be able to take home with them! Then, for all the volunteers who have helped us to succeed, we will be sponsoring a “Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast” on Saturday, December 10 at 9:00 am at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. Invitations will be sent in the mail to the many volunteers who have given their invaluable time to our organization. And the grand finale will be the “Dedication Ceremony” of our fourth Habitat house on the Island! This is a moving and special event, as the recipients of the most recent Habitat House are given the keys to their first home to call their own! The public is invited to share in this joyous occasion taking place at the site of the house at the four-way stop, at the corners of Edgartown-Vineyard Haven and Airport Roads (across from Tilton Rentals) in Oak Bluffs. The ceremony will start at 10:30 am and parking is available at the high school. If it should rain, the ceremony will take place in the high school’s cafeteria. Remember, our success is a direct result of your support! We hope to see you at our upcoming events! Raising the Roof at Twin Oaks!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY?

If you are looking for a way to gain a greater sense of purpose and a way to give back to the community in which you reside or visit, why not consider getting involved with Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard? Our work is accomplished with the generosity of spirit from individuals like yourself. We are looking for volunteers, professional and novice, to assist in our future builds. Just give us a call and we will definitely have a way for you to get involved: 508.696.4646.

"OPERATION HOME DELIVERY” HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL’S HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). While the primary focus of the Martha's Vineyard chapter is on initiatives taking place here on the Island, we are deeply touched and greatly concerned about the devastation that has taken place in the Gulf area due to Hurricane Katrina. The local affiliate has recently sent a contribution to Habitat International specifically designated for the relief efforts and will contribute half of the proceeds raised from our holiday concert on December 3^rd to further support the recovery efforts. We hope to get more involved in the future and will keep you informed of our efforts via future newsletters and our website: www.habitatmv.org. “Habitat Plaza” in Rockefeller Center, New York City HFHI is responding to the crisis through a program called “Operation Home Delivery”, which is primarily a “home in a box project”. The program is already underway as local affiliates around the country build component parts of homes via our vast volunteer network. During the first week in October, the first house frames were constructed in New York, California, and Mississippi. The houses are being tacked together to ensure a tight fit, then the frame is taken apart and placed with other necessary construction materials in a container and shipped to an area along the Gulf Coast where families, volunteers and builders will rebuild the home. The homes resemble traditional Habitat homes which are simple, decent places to live, providing approximately 1,100 to 1,300 square feet of living space. While "first responder" organizations have been providing emergency assistance, HFHI is focusing on the next phase, the building of thousands of homes. President Jimmy Carter, who has volunteered with HFHI for over 20 years, said that, "in all my years as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, I cannot think of a more important program than Operation Home Delivery. After their immediate needs of food, clothing and temporary shelter have been met, Habitat's Operation Home Delivery will be working with churches, corporations, volunteers and other partners to get people back in homes and back on their feet.”

New Orleans native and Cape Cod summer resident Harry Connick, Jr. (photo at left) is the honorary chair of Habitat for Humanity’s “Operation Home Delivery,” and has previously volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans. Said Connick, "It is hard to sit in silence, to watch one's youth wash away. Everything that I have professionally and so much of what I have personally, is because of this great, fair city...to see it being drowned like this is almost unbearable." As honorary chair, he will represent and speak for the program, as well as encourage citizens, organizations, churches, foundations, governments and others to get involved. Additionally, Branford Marsalis, a Grammy Award-winning jazz saxophonist and fellow New Orleans native, has also joined the team and agreed to be honorary chair of the New Orleans Habitat for Humanity efforts. Marsalis said of his involvement, "Working with Habitat to help people rebuild their homes and their lives is a constructive way to channel this mind-numbing pain." For more information about "Operation Home Delivery," to make a donation by credit card or to volunteer, please visit Habitat International’s website at www.habitat.org or call 800-422-4828, ext. 2552. Checks can be sent to: Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498 and should be designated "Katrina Recovery". Habitat Volunteers in Jackson, Mississippi

A Hand Up: Solving the Crisis of Affordable Housing on Martha’s Vineyard LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! This Fall and Winter, MVTV (the local public access television station) will offer a series of programs on affordable housing on Martha’s Vineyard. The series, entitled “A Hand Up: Solving the Crisis of Affordable Housing on Martha’s Vineyard”, is being produced by the Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard affiliate. Representatives from various Island groups trying to solve the problem will appear on the programs. The series covers the complete cycle of the Island’s affordable housing situation from finding land to living in a house built by Habitat. Money is, of course, critical in solving the problem; we’ll discuss the various ways Islanders help financially using traditional and newer forms of funding, such as the Community Preservation Act and the Housing Bank. We’ll review the different ways owners of affordable houses are chosen. We’ll take you behind the scenes and show how important volunteers are in building houses for their neighbors and the owners of the newest Habitat houses will provide their unique insights into the process. Finally, we’ll explain the roles of the various affordable housing organizations on the Island. The series is being filmed and edited by Victoria Haeselbarth, the owner of a Habitat-built house on Bennett Way. Ron DiOrio, President of the local Habitat affiliate, will host the series. Al DeVito is the producer. We hope you will enjoy the series, will send us your comments and more importantly, will get involved at some level. Habitat Supporters from the Rotary Club

A few of the many businesses that made it their business to contribute financially to HFHMV this year as Gold Hammer Supporters giving over $2,500.00. Sherry Purdy (left), Owner of Sandpiper Realty, Inc. with Julie Willett, HFHMV Executive Director Richard Leonard, President, Martha’s Vineyard Co-operative Bank with Naina Williams, HFHMV Director of Development ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MATERIALS CONTRIBUTED TO CURRENT HOUSE The roofing material used for the latest Habitat house on the Island was graciously donated by Crowe Building Products, Ltd. of Ontario, Canada, visit them at www.authentic-roof.com/products.htm.  Their product is called "Authentic Roof" and has a 50 year limited warranty and a 100 year predicted life span.  It has been estimated that 10 % or more of landfill space is taken up by roofing waste, making the recycling of roofing necessary and making TPO (Thermal Poly Olefins) a very attractive solution. Authentic Roof prides itself on being the only product of its kind on the market.  It is made of TPO, which is one of the most recyclable materials in the world and is a very clean material that does not contribute to polluting the environment.  All of the car manufacturers worldwide use TPO extensively because of its durability.  Drive by the Twin Oaks site to see the most recent Habitat project with its environmentally sound roof! Many thanks to Crowe Building Products, Ltd.

TRIUMPHS FROM A GROUP BUILD DAY On Saturday, September 24^th, thirteen Habitat Board of Directors, ten other volunteers and the partner family who will ultimately take possession of this house, gathered for a day dubbed "Board of Directors' Build Day". The former landmark restaurant known as "Twin Oaks" is the site of Habitat for Humanity's first renovation project on the Island. The rat-a-tat-tat of carpenters’ hammers and the genial sound of easy conversations paced the build day, as the group made great progress on Habitat's fourth Martha's Vineyard house. Much work had previously taken place as teams of volunteers worked twice a week throughout the summer toward bringing the once decrepit building back to life. Plumbers and electricians were ready to begin, as soon as the house became weather-tight. The goal of the day was to install new windows and shingle a good portion of the three-bedroom house for Monica, Al, Emily and Leif who, as a recipient family, have put in much time toward the completion of their home. Two of the Board’s finest carpenters! Windows were trued and nailed into place quickly. While taking a short midmorning break, Habitat Board Member Jack Ross remarked on the progress of the build, "everyone’s contributing and they’re happy to help.” At the other side of the lot, Building Committee chair Toby Codding and another Board Member, Andre Mallegol were attentive as master carpenter John Jones described his method of shingling: first with words then ending with a “pow-pow” of the nail gun.

Lee Taberner, who has previously volunteered at several other Habitat build sites, is supervising the construction of the current project. Lee calmly setup each task, organized crews and found the right tools for the different skill levels of the volunteers to use. He listened patiently before answering questions or making gentle suggestions and with his guidance and leadership, the build progressed smoothly. Later in the day, Monica Miller, reflected on the day's progress and her experiences working on her family’s new house. “Self-help is an absolute key to success.  Even when doing small jobs, I saw the house from the bottom up. Every little job is important in the bigger scheme of things.” Regarding the confidence and building skills she has acquired during the renovation and construction of her new home, Monica said with a smile, “When face-to-face with the circuit breaker, I won’t be overwhelmed.” The day proved to be worthwhile and constructive for all involved. Other groups that have worked on this project are the West Tisbury Congregational Church and the Vineyard Housing Office. Many thanks to all the groups that took time to help an Island family in need. If you would like to bring a group to work on a Habitat house, please call our office. Not only is it a different and fun way to gather with friends, family, co-workers, church or other organization members, but it's a wonderful way to give back to the community in unison! Philippe Jordi, Executive Director of the Island Housing Trust helped complete the shingling of Twin Oaks

WHO WE ARE . . .

Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard brings together people of compassion to build or renovate simple,

decent homes for Island families in need. Our mission is to work toward the elimination of substandard housing on Martha’s Vineyard and in the process, build stronger families and a stronger community.

IN APPRECIATION

Habitat for Humanity of Martha's Vineyard could not exist without the benevolence shown from so many individuals and businesses. While we cannot list every source that has contributed to our success, below are the volunteers who have helped at various events or the build site throughout this past year and the businesses who have donated financially or with in-kind gifts. Please forgive us if your name was omitted and also note this list was compiled on October 26. Thank you one and all who have given the gift of opportunity.

VOLUNTEERS Holly Alaimo Karen Alberice Miki Badnek* Andrew Berry Peyton Berry Betty Boyd Kristen Brage Jamie Burgoyne Nolan Burke Tom Burke* James Cage Susie Carmick Paula Catanese Tom Church Toby Codding* Jennifer Conway Mike Cook Carla Cooper Evangeline Costa Pete Costas* Kurt Crossland Blue Cullen Rachel Curtain Candy daRosa Dennis daRosa Philip daRosa Stephanie daRosa Jason Dawley Jayne DeBettencourt James DeMarco Ted deVillafranca Al DeVito* Catherine DeVito Ron DiOrio* Tim Doble Danielle Domenick Leah Dorr Lance Drummond Brad Eardley Patricia Egan Lisa Epstein Gene Erez Carol Faini Karen and Skip Finely Lila Fischer Mason Fischer Jerry Fritz* Kathleen Fritz Meredith Gallo Paul Garcia Mimi Gibbon Lorna Giles* Anne Goldberg Mary Goldberg Elizabeth Graham Jean Graham Sarah Graham Lorraine Graves & the dancers "Lorraine Graves and Friends" Clyde Griffin Morquissuel Guimores Wesley Guimores Patrick Guthrie Maddie Haddon Victoria Haeselbarth Wesley Haeselbarth Armen Hanjian Vicky Hanjian

Margie Haven Duncan Holthausen Virginia Holthausen Kate Hubbell Deb Hutchins James Hutchins Emily Iversen Erik Iversen Leif Iversen Berkeley Johnson* John Jones Philippe Jordi Jim Joyce Robert Julien Sonya Justus* Terri Keech Laura Kimball Lauren Kulberg Kira Law Anne Lemenager Emily Graham Levett Brian Lindblom Linda Lynch Laura Maciel Bud Macy Andre Mallegol* Jose Matos Cari Mava John McCarthy Cara McClellan Jeremy Meacham Rosemary Meacham Deborah Medders Dick Mezger Dave Miller Jessica Miller Monica Miller Fern Minor Kia Minor Margaret Mirko Ben Moore* Abel Mora Alexis Moreis Mitchell Moreis Michael Morrison Hope Murphy MacLeod* Ginger Norton Greg Orcutt* Scott Patterson Melissa Peters Susan Phillips Bill Ramsey Mark Rasmussen* Sheila Rayyan Rick Reinhardsen* Anne Renehan Michele Roberts* Jack Ross* Steve Ruley Cindy Sampson Al Schackman Alexia Schroeder Tom Seeman Maynard Silva Steve Smetana Jack Street* Julie Sullivan Aimee Taberner Lee Taberner

Philip Taberner Scott Taberner Sofi Thanhauser Linda Thompson Stephanie Thompson Kristen Tidmarsh Andre Todd Holly Todd Patrick Toomey John Torkelson Margo Urbany-Joyce Sarah Vail Ava Vigneault David Vigneault Willa Vigneault Karen Walsh David Wessling* Christina Wiley Tom Willett Eric Williams, III Eric Williams, IV Kyra Williams Ricki Williams Alan Wilson* Marilyn Yas  * HFHMV Board Member BUSINESS SUPPORTERS aboveground Records Alley's General Store Al’s Package Store American Red Cross Among the Flowers Anonymous Donor Arbor Inn Atlantic Connection Bank of Martha's Vineyard Brennan & Company Brickman’s of Martha’s Vineyard Brickstone Construction Budget Car Rental Bunch of Grapes Tom Burke Builders W.H. Bennett, Inc. Carroll and Vincent Real Estate Chilmark Chocolates Chilmark School Clarion Inn Claudia’s Contemporary Music Center Cornerstone Bldg & Remodeling Cowgirl Graphics Craftworks Crane Appliance Cronig’s Market Crowe Building Products, Ltd. Dairy Queen daRosa’s MV Printing Dippin’ Donuts Dottie’s Potties Dragonfly Gallery Dukes County Savings Bank John Early, Contractor & Bldr Edgartown Hardware Edgartown National Bank Edgartown School Electronic Security Systems Estrella Concrete

Farm Neck Foundation Fiesta Mexicana Garcia’s Back Alley’s Harborside Realty Hart Company H.N. Hinckley and Sons Hot Pot Catering Hot Tin Roof Hy-Line Cruises International Business Machines Island Affordable Housing Fund Island Home Furnishings Island Housing Trust Island Insurance Jaba’s Gallery Jim’s Package Store John Jones Construction Karpet Kare Lambert Insurance Agency F.E. Leslie Druggist Lookout Tavern Louis’ Tisbury Eatery The Mansion House Mardells Martha’s Vineyard Bagel Authority Martha's Vineyard Construction Martha's Vineyard Co-operative Bank Martha’s Vineyard Ocean Sports Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (use of school) Martha's Vineyard School of Ballet Martha's Vineyard Shipyard Martha's Vineyard Times Marvin Windows by Shepley Mary's Linen Masonic Lodge McDonough and Co. Mediterranean Midnight Farm Mocha Motts Morgan Stanley MVTV William Mueller Plumbing Nancy's Nutrition Oak Bluffs EMT Oak Bluffs Fire Department Oak Bluffs Police Department Oak Bluffs School Sullivan O’Connor, Architects Offshore Ale Co. Our Market R.M. Packer Co. Permanent Endowment Fund Plum TV Reliable Market Rose Bud Balloons Rotary Club Sanctuary Sandpiper Realty Sandpiper Rentals, Inc. Scottish Bake House The Seafood Shanty Seasons Eatery & Pub Slice of Life

Smoke N Bones South Mountain Co., Inc. David Souza Electric Sparkle Window Cleaning Sports Haven Neal Sullivan Design Build Takemmy Linen Rental Tisbury Printer Tisbury School Toy Box The Vineyard Gazette Vineyard Bottled Water Vineyard Electronics Vineyard Home Center West Chop Club West Tisbury School WMVY Your Market Zapotec Cafe

ó

YOU

CAN HELP...

...MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

... A VINEYARD FAMILY IN NEED!

... TO OPEN THE DOORS TO POSSIBILITIES!

...MAKE THIS HOLIDAY TRULY MEANINGFUL!

!!!!!

The devastation left by the earthquake and the tsunami in Southeast Asia and the hurricanes in the Gulf area and elsewhere have all lead to heightening the public’s awareness of the dire problems facing low-income families and the critical need for affordable housing in our country and around the world! Even on this otherwise picturesque Island of Martha’s Vineyard, we have neighbors living in substandard conditions. So many of us have so much, while so many more of us have so little. This holiday season, won’t you consider giving the gift of hope and self-reliance by making a financial contribution to Habitat for Humanity of Martha’s Vineyard? Your donation will help us to build new affordable homes on the Vineyard and here is how:

$25 . . . . . purchases a roll of insulation to keep out the winter cold!

$50 . . . . . buys over 50 pounds of nails to help put the pieces of the home together!

$75 . . . . . pays for 20 wall studs used to provide solid walls built by volunteers caring hands!

$100 . . . . purchases an interior door for kids to close when doing homework in their own room!

$250 . . . . buys most of the electrical wiring to enable a family to “see the light”!

$325 . . . . pays for a window to be opened to let fresh air in!

$600 . . . . purchases a water heater to enable children to take warm bubble baths!

$1,200 . . .buys flooring to keep family members feet warm!

$2,000 . . .pays for the kitchen cabinets to store food and dishes!

$5,000 . . .purchases roof trusses and shingles ensuring a roof over their heads!

$80,000 . .fully funds an entire house for a Vineyard family in need to have a home for the

holidays and always!

YOUR DONATION WILL MAKE THE HOLIDAYS,

OUR ISLAND AND OUR WORLD THAT MUCH MORE SPECIAL!

HABITAT'S FAMILY SELECTION PROCESS by Jerry Fritz