Download the invitation and see you there!

Construction Group Volunteers
A couple things have changed for the 2010 build season, so be sure to read all the information in its entirety. Visit our Group Opportunities page to review the information and download your copy of the 2010 Construction Group Scheduling worksheet.

Individual Construction Volunteers
Individual Construction Volunteers can who have previously attended orientation can now schedule volunteer days! For more information, visit our Individual Construction Volunteer page.  Make sure you read the Q&As for detailed information.

NOTE: ALL construction leadership, including volunteers completing field days for Forest Park, should register to volunteer with Jacinta Witherspoon and NOT via the online system.

So how does it work, exactly? Upper End Properties clients, whether buying, selling, or leasing a home, can decide to either have Upper End Properties  make an equally divided donation to the whole Portfolio of 501c 3 approved local Charities or they can select one charity to benefit. Other charities include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Siteman Cancer Center and the Humane Society of Missouri. We are excited to be a part of such a great group of organizations and are so thankful to be working with Upper End Properties.

For a complete list of charities participating in the program or for more information about Upper End properties, please visit their website.

Barbara has always hoped to become a homeowner and is thrilled to move into a home she helped build. She is also looking forward to paying her Habitat mortgage payment – it will be less than half of the rent she pays for her current home.

Marv Noelken joined the ranks of Habitat volunteers in 1999.  Shortly after, he began house leading and has led for 7 years.   He also serves on the Construction Committee, helping Habitat staff in all aspects of the construction process.  In 2005, Marv sponsored a house as a tribute in memory of his lovely wife, Rose, exemplifying his wonderful and caring nature.  He is always willing to lend a helping hand, no matter what.

Comments about Marv included:

Leadership—“Marv shows leadership at its best.  It is clear he knows how to do all the different tasks, but never takes over.  He teaches and helps and guides, but makes you feel like you are important and doing a great job, no matter what the task.”

Site Management/Mentorship—“Marv has taught me how to share my skills with other volunteers, showing me how to grow as a crew leader.  This in turn, has allowed me to pass this growth along to other volunteers and even establish some new task/crew leaders.”

Dedication to Role and to Organization—“Marv is always looking for ways to make our home building process more efficient.  He will make jigs, buy tools, etc to help make the job easier.”

Habitat Ambassador—“Consistent positive message delivered both in words and in actions underlie his dedication to the goals of Habitat.”

The JFC Construction Leadership Award was established to show appreciation and thanks to the dedicated construction leaders who help make the Habitat build successful each year.  Leaders are rated on their leadership skills, site management/mentorship, dedication to the role and organization, and on being an Ambassador for Habitat.

Florissant woman getting Habitat house that is tight with energy

BY MARGARET GILLERMAN

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

02/17/2010

FLORISSANT — Barbara Harper has paid her last high heating bill.

Once she and four sons move into Florissant’s first LEED-certified Platinum house, Harper can expect to pay no more than $50 a month in natural gas bills during even the coldest weather.

Harper’s new house, equipped with some of the most environmentally friendly features available, is coming to her courtesy of Habitat for Humanity St. Louis. And Harper, her sons and a nephew are helping Habitat staff and volunteers build it — nail by nail.

Harper, 45, a single mother, says she’s always struggled to make ends meet as she has raised her children while trying to keep them on a good path.

“I always worked to provide for me and my kids,” she said.

About three years ago, she started working as a housekeeper at BJC Healthcare. With training, she became a patient care technician and is now an anesthesia tech. While putting in overtime at her job, she’s still raising her four youngest sons — Nathan, Anthony, Kalien and Michael, ranging in age from 9 to 18, at their current home in Moline Acres.

“I’ve had to work extra hard to keep a roof over our heads,” Harper said. “We’re not going to be homeless.”

In January, Harper got the call she had been waiting for from Habitat for Humanity.

“God blessed us — I’d been on the waiting list at Habitat for two years,” she said. Habitat, an international nonprofit organization, builds homes in partnership with prospective homebuyers. Houses are sold at no profit to the buyers, who get a no-interest first mortgage. The homebuyer must spend 450 hours helping build the house.

Habitat’s Avis Laden-Hill said Harper was overcome with emotion as she reviewed the floor plans and details of Habitat’s program.

“She found it difficult to accept that such an incredible blessing is being laid at her feet,” Laden-Hill said. “Never did she think she’d see the day that she could provide her family with a beautiful new home that she helped build.”

This is Habitat’s first LEED-certified Platinum house in St. Louis County. (LEED is an acronym for an industry standard called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; platinum is the highest category.) Last year, 24 Habitat homes were certified LEED-Platinum in the city.

Florissant building commissioner Philip E. Lum, an architect, said Habitat had approached Mayor Robert G. Lowery about the project and made a presentation to the city.

A family wanted to donate their house to Habitat, but it had so many code violations it could not be occupied, Lum explained. Habitat proposed to build a new house on the foundation of that decrepit home.

“We were interested in returning an occupant to the house, and we were certainly happy a LEED certified structure was going to be brought into the city,” Lum said.

He said Lowery supported the project and that Carol O’Mara, director of community development and housing, organized employees to volunteer at the site.

“It was a hard day’s work, and I got a good night’s sleep that night,” Lum said. Habitat managers said the 1,400-square-foot house would be 60 to 70 percent more energy efficient than a conventional home. It has four bedrooms, two baths, a first floor laundry, a kitchen, dining room, living room and basement.

Energy-efficient features include:

— A system that uses free attic heat to preheat the water supply to the house.

— Cement board siding that lasts 50 years and contains no petroleum-based products.

—Low-flow plumbing fixtures to conserve water.

— Roof sheathing with heat reflective surfaces to keep temperatures lower.

—Energy Star appliances, including a 95 percent efficiency gas furnace.

On a recent cold day, Barbara Harper was busy attaching siding to the house. Son Nathan, 16, and nephew Fred Hall, 18, assisted.

“I’ve learned so much I think I actually can put the foam insulation in,” Harper said with a smile. “I’ve been cutting on boards. I learned to use a saw, hammer in nails, use a drill and put in a window!”

Harper said she appreciates what good role models the volunteers and staff have been for her sons. “I’ve never in my life seen so many dedicated people and there are a lot of older people helping in the cold,” Harper said. “They’re giving all they got for a stranger. They put all their hearts into it.”

The family plans to move in next month.

“March 13th is when I get my key,” Harper said Tuesday. “I trusted in God; God is the key of all things.”

Habitat for Humanity St. Louis has built 282 homes since 1986, mostly in the city of St. Louis but also in Wellston, Meacham Park and Hillsdale.

As the build season progresses we will need additional volunteers to join our Monday and Friday Crews.  Read more about the roles of our weekdays crews or email builddays@habitatstl.org if you are interested in joining.