More than 100 people looking for great bargains on used, quality building materials packed Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity’s newly opened building materials thrift shop Saturday, October 17th. The resale shop, “ReStore,” is a trademarked brand of Habitat for Humanity International; Habitat chapters all over the country have opened their own versions of “ReStore” outlets–each one a huge benefit to the community and the environment, as well as a source of fundraising for each chapter.
“We had a great turnout,” said Gerry Dixon, former board member and interim business manager. “We will open the store three days a week, Thursdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., beginning October 22nd.” If you’re interested in helping staff the store as a volunteer, call the Habitat office.
The excitement about the ReStore’s Grand Opening was palpable as people found great deals on building materials, talked with board members, and enjoyed soft drinks donated by Wayne Urbine, coffee courtesy of Buena Vista Roastery, and cookies from a bake-off contest sponsored by CCHfH. Angie Reed’s German chocolate cookies took 1st place, and she chose a $20%-off ReStore gift certificate. Rebecca Kemper-Poos received 2nd place and a Habitat t-shirt, and 3rd place went to Nancy Anderson, who received a 10%-off ReStore coupon. We greatly appreciate the individuals and businesses that helped make this event so special.
The ReStore not only offers great deals on quality, used building materials–most 40-60% off retail–but gives individuals and businesses a chance to donate building materials to the chapter. ReStores are environmentally friendly. They keep overstocked and quality reusable items out of landfills and therefore reduce disposal costs.
The ReStore Grand Opening marked a milestone in the chapter’s efforts that began last summer with the leasing of the building space at 213 ½ Tabor (half a block behind City Hall) that now houses the chapter office and the ReStore outlet. Board members and volunteers donated much time and effort to turn a vacant space into a well-designed store area. Sale proceeds from the ReStore will go first to general operating and overhead expenses, so that cash donations to CCHfH can go directly toward building homes.
After CCHfH’s successful 5th and 6th duplex build in Buena Vista on CR 306 last summer, which now houses two families and their six children, the chapter is planning to break ground and begin work on another duplex, this time in Salida at the Starbuck’s Dairy subdivision site, in March of 2010–if the funds can be raised.
It costs approximately $240,000, including materials, labor, and other associated costs, to build a duplex to house 2 families. To date, CCHfH has approximately $110,000 in cash and land resources toward the next build and needs to raise $70,000 more in cash before groundbreaking in March can begin, with $60,000 left to raise for completion of the duplex.
Homeowners, contractors and businesses that donate items will receive a tax-deductable receipt. The ReStore also provides a direct way to contribute to CCHfH’s mission: to show God’s love by placing needy families into quality, affordable housing.
CCHfH welcomes donations of quality building materials only. “Quality” is loosely defined this way: if you’d like it in your home, it’s probably acceptable to donate. Every donation–and every sale–helps CCHfH meet its goal for 2010’s build and will place two more of Chaffee county’s 400+ families living at or below the poverty level into affordable housing. Please call Kim Brenner the Habitat office at 719-395-0482, Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-1 p.m., if you’d like to donate an item or materials, or volunteer.
This post was contributed by Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity.
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