Ashe County Habitat for Humanity Hurricane Recovery Update PLUS Our Regular Fall Newsletter

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Ashe County Habitat for Humanity Hurricane Recovery Update PLUS Our Regular Fall Newsletter
 
 
 

 

 
Hurricane Recovery Update PLUS Our Regular Fall Newsletter

Our regularly scheduled newsletter did not go out in early October due to the storm and its aftermath; however, we still want our supporters to know all that we have been up to since the last newsletter came out. In this edition of Habitat Happenings, we will share news about the effects of the storm on our work as well as some information that was originally planned for the early October newsletter.

 

 

 
A Few Photos of Damage at the ReStore
 

 

 
 
The ReStore was flooded, leaving mud throughout the store
   
 
Lots of powerwashing and manpower — progress was made each workday
 

 

 
 
Things are looking better and better
   
 
Just a few of our VERY dedicated volunteers — we could not have done this without everyone’s help
 

 

 
Update On the Impact of Hurricane Helene

At the Build Site

We are so thankful that the current home under construction had no damage from the storm! Our construction took a brief hiatus while our volunteers cleaned up damage at their own homes, the homes of other volunteers, and around the community — those Habitat building skills have been put to very good use! Work at the site resumed in mid-October. The siding has been completed, sheetrock has been delivered, and we are ready to begin work inside the house! This is an exciting time, so if you are a potential volunteer who has been hesitant about the outside work, this would be a great time for you to jump in! Read on to find a more complete list of the work that was completed in the third quarter–you can also find a link to email our construction supervisor if you want to learn more about volunteering (or you can just sign up on our website!).

At the ReStore

Sadly, the ReStore suffered extensive damage from Helene, and much of our inventory was destroyed. The creek behind the store flooded, bringing water and mud into the store. We have had amazing individuals and groups of volunteers who stepped in to help clear out the mud, remove the damaged inventory, and begin the process of getting us going again. Most repairs have been made, and we are preparing to put the store back together. We are making plans to reopen as soon as possible. We can’t wait to begin serving our community again, and we have set Saturday, November 23 as a tentative (and hopeful) date to reopen. Please check our social media for updates!

How You Can Help

Financial Donations

Operations at the ReStore fund a great deal of our work, and we will have missed many weeks of sales by the time we reopen. Needs in our community are great, but if you feel able to make a financial donation to help cover the gap from the time the ReStore has been closed, it would mean so much to us! You can scroll down and use the green DONATE button later in the newsletter, or you can find a link to donate on our website.

ReStore Donations

We will need many donations of furniture and household items when we reopen — if you have items to donate, would you consider setting them aside at your home and holding them until we can take them? If you are considering new furniture for the holidays, would you donate the furniture you are replacing to us? We will soon be able to do large item pickups again, and we appreciate your patience in holding things for us just a bit longer!

Word of Mouth

If you know of others who might be interested in supporting our work, would you let them know that we welcome their financial support and that we will soon be able to take donations for the ReStore? One of the best ways to support us is to share our mission with others and invite them to be involved!

Volunteer

Of course, we always need volunteers in the ReStore as well as on the construction site — we have jobs for all skill and ability levels, and we invite you to join us! Volunteering is fun, and it’s a great way to meet wonderful people!

Our website is a great source of additional information, and you can find links there to sign up to volunteer or to get your questions answered!

 

 

 
And Now, On to Our Regularly Scheduled Content!
 

 

 
Ashe County Officials Visited Our Work Site!
 

 

 
 
Ashe County officials, Ashe Habitat volunteers and staff, and our partner family gather for a photo in front of our current (and soon-to-be completed) home under construction
 

 

 
We recently hosted officials from Ashe County for lunch and a visit to the house currently under construction. Our board president, Jeff Vestal, spoke about our mission of building affordable housing using volunteers to provide much of the labor, and our Executive Director, Beth Sorrell, explained the qualifications for a family to be chosen as a partner family. After lunch, our Construction Supervisor, JB Byrch, provided a tour of the home, explaining some of the features of the home and answering questions from county officials. The partner family for this house was also on site for the day, which made the event even more special. We love sharing about our mission to provide affordable housing to our neighbors in Ashe County, and we appreciate all the county officials who took time out of their day to have lunch with us and learn more about what we are doing!
 

 

 
Thanks to Our Blue Ridge Relay Volunteers!
 

 

 
 
   
 
   
 
 

 

 
On September 6th, twenty Ashe Habitat volunteers helped to staff two runner exchange zones for the annual Blue Ridge Relay. This year’s race, organized locally by Blue Ridge Endurance, featured 175 teams, each made up of 6–12 runners. The event spans over 24 hours, with runners traveling from Grayson Highlands to Asheville and many miles of the race pass through Ashe County. Ashe Habitat has been supporting the relay since its inaugural event in 2011, and race organizer Ken Sevensky makes a generous donation to our organization based on the number of volunteer hours provided. Several of our volunteers have become “regulars,” returning every year because they enjoy working at the event so much
 

 

 
Progress on House 11

We have had such a busy few months and are thrilled with the progress we have made on our current house build. Some of the things we have accomplished include:

  • Shingled the roof (our partner family did this)
  • Completed interior wall framing
  • Installed donated windows and exterior doors
  • Installed passive radon mitigation system
  • Finished driveway grading and initial gravel
  • Seeded for erosion control
  • Completed electrical rough-in (with all donated labor–thanks Bill Wright and crew),
  • Completed siding (with donated siding)
  • Installed tub, shower pan and plumbing rough-in

That is quite a list! What’s next? Well, in the next quarter, we plan to finish the house! This includes tasks such as hanging drywall, painting the interior, installing cabinets, hardwood floors, tile, interior doors, etc.

Would you like to be a part of helping us finish this house so we can get our partner family in their new home? We typically work on the house each Wednesday and Saturday, and we always need new volunteers to help round out our crew. If you are interested in working at the site and need more information, please email JB Byrch, our Construction Supervisor. He can add you to the email list so you know what tasks are planned for each week, and he can answer any questions you have. You do NOT need any experience at all to volunteer — teaching new skills is an important part of what we do, and we invite you to join us! Ready to sign up? Click HERE!

 

 

 
 
Our volunteers are glad to be finished with this huge wall of siding!
   
 
Taking a short break from work on the siding for a photo op!
 

 

 
 
Our partner family did all the roofing work, including this small entry area roof
   
 
Work on the electric rough-in down in the basement
 

 

 
Company/Business/Church Workdays

Would your business/company or church (or other nonprofit) benefit from a team-building activity? We have the PERFECT idea for you – join Ashe Habitat for a day on our worksite. All materials and tools are provided, and our site supervisor, JB Byrch, will be there to provide instruction and guidance. We would love to chat with you and provide more details and get you on the schedule — we will recognize your group on our social media and in our newsletter. Your team gets a day of fun and team fellowship and recognition in the community; team members can gain new skills or put existing skills to work for a great cause; and Ashe County neighbors get progress on affordable housing in our community. Reach out to Beth Sorrell to get your group signed up today!

 

 

 
50/50 Raffle

We had a very successful 50/50 Raffle in conjunction with Christmas in July! Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets — your purchase is helping make affordable housing possible for families in Ashe County! The winner donated part of the proceeds back to us, and we are so appreciative of their generosity!

 

 

 
Volunteer With Us

We could not do our work without the help of so many dedicated volunteers! We appreciate every person who helps out, and we want you to know that we need YOU! If you are not already volunteering with us, read on to find out how you can help!

Immediate Needs

Resource Development Committee Members — We are looking for a few creative and energetic community members to work with us to raise funds needed to operate Ashe Habitat. Tasks of the group include fund-raising campaigns, grant writing, special fund-raising events, and cultivation of major donors. We would love to explore how you might contribute to this team — email Beth Sorrell for more information.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

  • At the ReStore to greet and assist customers, clean and price merchandise, and stage the store
  • Furniture pickup volunteers to help with large item donations (this is an urgent need!)
  • At the home sites to build the homes that our families will purchase (must be 18 to work at the construction site)
  • Behind-the-scenes doing administrative tasks– we could use a great photographer, and there are always office tasks that need attention
  • Click HERE to sign up for ReStore opportunities
 

 

 
Your Donations Make our Work Possible!

Donations from the community fund much of the work we do — here are a few ways that you can donate to us (in addition to donating your time as a volunteer, of course).

  • ReStore Donations — Please donate any household items that you no longer need to the ReStore. We accept gently used furniture, clean and working appliances, kitchen items, surplus building supplies and more! You can find the list of what we do (and don’t) accept HERE. We can arrange pickups for large items or you can drop your donations on Wednesdays from 10-2 and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10-3.
  • Financial Donations — We promise that every dollar we receive is used wisely to help provide housing for deserving families. Please consider making a donation. Even better, consider setting up a recurring, monthly donation! You can donate using the button below, on our website HERE, or you can mail checks to PO Box 392, West Jefferson, NC 28694.
  • Donor Advised Funds — You can donate to us through your Donor Advised Fund– it’s easy! Look for Ashe County Habitat for Humanity (EIN 26-3107328) on your funds website or contact our director, Beth Sorrell, at 336-902-8611 for more information.
  • Donate A Car — Reach out to us by email HERE.

 

DONATE

 

Thank You to Our Lunch Sponsors

Thank you so much to the businesses and individuals who provided lunch at the build site and/or ReStore over the past few months. Their support is helping make affordable housing possible in Ashe County, and our volunteers love the delicious food!

Third Quarter 2024 Lunch Sponsors

In the ReStore

  • Little Caesar’s
  • Monte D Ray
  • Havana Cafe

At the Construction Site

  • Cuca Dean
  • Briggs Greenwood
  • Alberta Swain
  • Patti Miller
  • Nancy and Mike Yamashita
  • Linda McClintock
  • Beth Sorrell
  • Gwynita Steele
  • St. Francis Church
  • Jeanine and Tommy Noblett
  • Havana Cafe

 

Help Us Tell Others About the Great Work We Are Doing!

Following and interacting with Ashe Habitat on social media is a great (and free) way to help us share our mission of providing affordable housing. Your interactions with our posts make a HUGE difference in getting more views.

  • If you don’t follow us, please do that now — we are @ashehabitat on both Facebook and Instagram.
  • Once you are following, please LIKE our posts and leave comments as well.
  • If a post seems especially important, we would appreciate it if you would share it so your friends can see the great work Habitat is doing in Ashe County.

 

 
 

 

 
Let’s Keep In Touch

ReStore Address

127 Beaver Creek School Road

West Jefferson, NC 28694

Habitat Office/ReStore Phone

336-846-2525

Mailing Address

PO Box 392

West Jefferson, NC 28694

On the Web

ashehabitat.org

On Social Media

Facebook and Instagram @ashehabitat