Habitat for Humanity Chapter
Our purpose is to make all Escapees aware of Habitat International, and Care-A-Vanners. We hope to show how to enjoy the best of the RV lifestyle while making an active contribution to the elimination of poverty housing in this country and abroad.
(This page maintained by Allen Downs. Last modified: 7/22/2008 11:55:16 AM Central time.)
Escapees BOF (Birds of a Feather) groups are comprised of people who share a common interest. In order to belong to a BOF, one must be a member in good standing of the Escapees RV Club. HFH is dedicated to the Ideal that all people deserve a simple, decent place to live, on terms they can afford.
• Remember, we are providing not a Hand Out, but a Hand Up
Benefits of Joining HFH BoF:
BOF schedules at least one ‘ALL’ Escapee Build each year associated with Escapades
A note from Jwana at Care-A-Vanners regarding changes taking place between now and July 1, 2008
Dear RV Care-A-Vanners ,
Steve Weir, Habitat's VP of Global Programs, recently made the
official announcement that Global Village will soon become part of
Habitat for Humanity International's new Volunteer Mobilization
department. Through this new department, we believe we can create an
expanded vision of volunteer service and how volunteers can best help
us serve more families. We are excited about the volunteer-service
opportunities we think this restructuring will provide us.
Of course, as you can imagine, this is also a time of considerable
transition for us. So I just want to reach out to you and assure you
that until you hear otherwise I am still your point of contact for
all Global Village/ RV Care-A-Vanner issues. Over the next three
months here, our new Volunteer Mobilization staff will be training
for slightly different job titles. If your contact changes during
this transition, I will be the one to introduce you to your new
contact. We will officially be working out of the Volunteer
Mobilization department as of July 1, 2008.
Please also know that our new Volunteer Mobilization department will
still be sending Global Village/ RV Care-A-Vanner teams on trips.
They might not be done in exactly the same manner, but we will be
sure to tell you what changes might impact your program once we have
completed our transition.
During this transition period, we will put a temporary hold on
scheduling any new open teams or Care-A-Vanner teams – but every
single Global Village trip or Care-A-Vanner trip that has already
been planned for the rest of 2008 will continue as scheduled.
Everything else will continue as normal, too.
If you have any questions, please let me know. I may not have the
answers to everything yet, as we are still working on the new
Volunteer Mobilization department – but I will answer everything I
can!
Thank you again for your prayers and patience during this process.
It's an exciting time for us as we learn how we can build on the
success we have already experienced with Global Village. Our hope is
that this change will result in even better long-term results for
your program and the families you serve.
In Partnership,
Jwana
Coordinator US/Canada
RV Care-A-Vanners
New Care-A-Vanner Builds
Dear Care-A-Vanners,
There will not be a Spring RV Care-A-Vanner newsletter. I recently
sent out an e-mail announcing the exciting new changes we are
experiencing here in the Global Village department. In this e-mail I
will list all of the builds that have not previously been announced.
You may start to sign up for these builds immediately. Thank you for
patience as we make the transition.
Americus, GA October 5-18, 2008
Benton Harbor, MI October 5-18, 2008
Bunnell, FL October 5-18, 2008
Covington, LA October 5-18, 2008
Elizabethtown, KY October 5-18, 2008
Laramie, WY October 5-18, 2008
Lenoir, NC October 5-18, 2008
Jacksonville, FL October 5-18, 2008
Dade City, FL October 19- November 1, 2008
Thibodaux, LA October 19- November 1, 2008
Bunnell, FL November 2-15, 2008
Covington, LA November 2-15, 2008
Americus, GA November 9-22, 2008
Dade City, FL November 9-22, 2008
Sebring/Avon Park, FL November 9-22, 2008
Thibodaux, LA November 9-22, 2008
Thibodaux, LA November 30- December 13, 2008
Americus, GA December 7-20, 2008
Dade City, FL December 7-20, 2008
Sebring/Avon Park, FL December 7-20, 2008
Alice, TX January 4-24, 2009
Slidell, LA January 4-17, 2009
Bunnell, FL January 11-24, 2009
Covington, LA January 11-24, 2009
Dade City, FL January 11-24, 2009
Sebring/Avon Park, FL January 11-24, 2009
Slidell, LA January 18-31, 2009
Bunnell, FL February 1-14, 2009
Slidell, LA February 1-14, 2009
Covington, LA February 8-21, 2009
Dade City, FL February 8-21, 2009
Sebring/Avon Park, FL February 8-21, 2009
Slidell, LA February 15-28, 2009
Alice, TX February 22 March 14, 2009
Ft. Lauderdale, FL February 22- March 7, 2009
Covington, LA March 8-21, 2009
Dade City, FL March 8-21, 2009
Ft. Lauderdale, FL March 8-21, 2009
Ft. Lauderdale, FL March 22- April 4, 2009
Bunnell, FL April 19- May 2, 2009
Covington, LA April 19- May 2, 2009
Jwana
RV Care-A-Vanner Desk
Phone 229-410-7534 or 800-422-4828 ext. 7534
Escapees BOF: Habitat For Humanity Newsletter
Vol 7 Issue 2 - April 2008
BOF Officers:
Jud Mygatt, President (As of 2 July 2008 - Rich & Jan Harper)
Wayne Sohl, Vice-President (As of 2 July 2008 - Jim & Kathy McBride
Rich & Jan Harper, Secretary (As of 2 July 2008 - Vacant)
Sally Hedberg, Treasurer
Non-elected:
Allen Downs, Data Base & New Member Mgr.
-------------, Wagon Master
Colleen Moore, Historian
Sandy Bird, Newsletter Editor
Denny & Susie Orr, Chapter & BOF Coordinators
Contacts:
BOF
email address - hfhbof@escapees.com
Website - http://www.escapees.com/h4h/
Yahoo Group - autos.groups.yahoo.com/groups/escapees_HFH_BOF/
Care-A-Vanners
rvinfodesk@habitat.org
Phone: 1-800-Habitat (422-4828) ext. 7534.
Habitat For Humanity
www.habitat.org
The BOF-HFH is a certified Birds of a Feather group of the Escapees RV Club. It supports the efforts of HFH and the Care-A-Vanners. To belong you must be a member of the Escapees RV Club. Contact the club at 1-888-757-2582. For further information email hfhbof@escapees.com or visit our website at http://www.escapees.com/h4h/
Greetings From The Harpers
Many of you have or are already making your way back North. The Rio Grande Valley was hitting mid 90 degrees the end of February. At the same time the Northern States were still having cold weather & more snow. This is an opportune time to choose to do a build or two on your way. There are several places that are having pleasant Spring weather. Checking with the Care-A-Vanner listing at www.habitat.org/rv, there are builds in Dothan, Birmingham, and Huntsville, Alabama; Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Belen, & Taos, NM; Spruce Pine, & Rocky Mount, NC; and Waynesboro, Va., to name just a few. For an All Escapee build in Livingston, TX., April 28th-May 16th, contact Ray Gearing at gearing@livingston.net or 936 327-2752.
The Gillette Birthday Bash Rally is coming up the end of June. This could be twice the size of the usual Escapade and twice the fun, bringing Escapees from East & West to one location. We are looking forward to meeting new people and renewing friendships with familiar faces. This year the ROW will be in air conditioned indoors. We hope to have twice the number of people at the HFH BOF seminar, business meeting and social. So register if you haven’t, come on out and join us for a memorable week!!!!!! This part of the country has much to offer any traveler; an outstanding Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Chief Joseph Scenic By-way, hot springs at Thermopolis, Mountain Man Rendezvous in Riverton, and of course all the National Parks & monuments in the surrounding area. Happy Trails!
Rich & Jan
HFH BOF Secretary
Meet the Membership Guy
Allen Downs
Allen is a retired software engineer and was a full-timer when he met his wife at the Care Center in Livingston and married her at Spring Escapade in Imperial, California in March 2005. They are now part-timers based in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Allen says “I volunteered for the position of Membership guy because I felt the work, consisting mostly of maintaining a data base, printing reports and labels, and sending emails was a good match to my computer skills. I have been in the position for about 5 months now and feel that I am pretty much broken in and ready to rock and roll.”
Allen does much more than he gives himself credit for. He is very instrumental in getting out this newsletter in all the formats necessary (we use text only emails, pdf formatted emails and snail mail). He has also taken a very proactive approach to our membership and works hard on keeping our members up to date on their membership expirations and renewals.
We really appreciate Allen stepping up to the plate to take over this important position. It’s our member/volunteers that keep this BOF growing and vibrant.
Member News
There are currently 217 Active paid BOF Members and 8 honorary members.
Welcome New Members
New Members since January 2008
Alan & Rebecca Barreca
Joseph & Loretta Fischer
>From Boots Gibson:
I am semi permanently stationed @ Elks lodge in Oxnard, CA. The Ventura County HFH has a build going in Simi Valley and needs workers Wed, Fri & Sat. Also hope to have 2 new builds starting in a couple of months. I just talked to the volunteer coordinator today for the first time, haven’t been to site yet - am working full time in this area.
Any Elks coming by this area, I am “unofficial camp host” @ Oxnard lodge - Southwind with South Dakota plates. Great in summer, only 3 miles from ocean and is nice and cool and only $15/day. W/E hookups only, no dump on site.
Keep those builds going.
>From Skip and Barb DalleMolle:
We have determined not to renew with the BOF this spring so ask that we be removed from further mailings, etc. We are planning to come off the full time road this next spring/summer and plan to continue working with a local affiliate. Though we did work sparingly with HFH before we started full timing, it was the BOF that gave us a good taste of what HFH is all about. We have met great and caring folks from partner families, staff, and of course, Care-A-Vanners.
We thank you for your work and ask God's continued blessings upon you.
Kaye & Bob Eckert wrote;
The only reason we dropped out of the very worthwhile BOF is because we got very involved with our local Adams County HFH and doing other volunteer things such as two Katrina cleanup trips and much in the way of local mental health support (I’m a psychologist so pro bono work in mental health is a passion for me). But, that doesn’t mean we’re not interested in Escapees HFH BOF. Hopefully, we might be able to join again in the future sometime.
As an aside, we took a side trip to Date City, FL while spending some winter-getaway-time in January to see the status of HFH in the area. This was our first Escapee HFH build and was a wonderful experience for us. We still think of the great SKPs we worked with and the well-organized affiliate there. It was good to see the progress in homes completed in Dade City and to see an empty lot of about 7 RV’s parked on the job (although we didn’t see any Escapees identification). That build still holds good memories for us and we wish all HFH BOFers could have an experienced like that the first time out. Thanks for your continued interest in having us back. The HFH BOF is such a worthwhile and worthy group function of Escapees. We’d love to hear from you from time to time regarding how the builds are going, where and who’s participating.
A Note from Susie & Denny Orr
Hi Folks – It is only February, but time to plan summer adventures. We hope you’ll be heading west to Gillette, Wy for Escapees 30th Birthday Escapade Celebration – June 28 to July 4. Check the Escapees magazine and website for details and extra adventures.
Some chapters are caravanning to Gillette. What a neat way to have fun – see the country and enjoy SKP friends. Has your chapter thought about this? Might be lots of fun!!
We THANK everyone who attended our 2nd Escapees Happy Hour in Quartzsite, AZ. In spite of the COLD and WIND we’ll count it as a great success. And following the Happy Hour many chapters and C-BOFs had well attended rallies in Q area. And from Florida to Texas – many Escapees enjoyed rallies and luncheons this winter.
See you at Escapade --- SKP Hugs Susie & Denny Orr
Update on Polk County HFH
By Susie Gearing
Hi, BoFers!
There will be an all-Escapees build in Livingston, TX, beginning on Monday, Apr. 28, and continuing until May 16. We can still use more help for this build, if anyone can make time to come to Livingston. Parking will be available at Rainbow's End (about 7 miles from the build) for $5 per night plus electric. Please RSVP to sdunaway@livingston.net if you are interested!
It's still not too hot in Texas, but summer is coming! Beat the heat!
Before & After BOF Builds
Before:
Rich & Jan Harper will be in Pagosa Springs, Colorado July 27th-Aug 2nd
See the message from Boots Gibson under Member News of this edition.
Don’t forget to consider the Livingston, TX all Escapees build April 28th - May 16th (details listed in the “Update on Polk County HFH” section). This affiliate was started by Escapees, and besides local volunteers, relies on Escapee Volunteers. They do not recruit through Care-A-Vanners, so lets show our Escape Spirit and give them a “hand up.”
After:
By Rich & Jan Harper
Leland, Miss., in the Delta region of the state is about 2 1/2 hours north of Jackson or South of Memphis. This is a very small town with lots of surprises. Community support, & construction organization was outstanding. On the day we arrived, Saturday, the project went from a concrete slab to a framed structure with plywood sheathing on the roof & walls enclosing the structure. This was accomplished by local Mennonites. By the end of the first week, roofing, siding, electrical, plumbing, insulation, doors, & windows were complete, and some of the drywall was installed. We couldn’t stay for the second week, as family took priority. As usual we had a great working crew, and a super team leader. The construction site supervisor, manager and volunteer coordinator were on site daily, giving us up-dates and details. Thanks to the volunteer coordinator and local businesses, we met many of the local people, enjoyed many meals, and were entertained by local talent. There is deep soul & blues here, and the home place of B.B. King and Jim Henson nearby. Several of the volunteer crew members had returned for the third and fourth time, no wonder, real Southern Hospitality is a natural here.
News from the Care-A-Vanner Desk
By Allen Downs
We understand that Habitat For Humanity International is in the process of making some changes involving the Care-a-Vanner's desk. Ginger has completed her volunteer stint and has resumed her travels. For the time being, Ginger is not being replaced, so we expect the Care-a-Vanner's desk will be short handed for a while. As soon as we learn what changes are to be made, we will let you know through the Yahoo group, the BoF website (www.escapees.com/h4h) and the next newsletter. In the meantime, expect that it may take a few tries to reach a real person at the Care-a-Vanners desk. Don't give up, your help is still needed and appreciated on Care-a-Vanners builds.
Upcoming Build Opportunities
Small town needs help with blitz build: The affiliate in Tahlequah, Oklahoma will be blitz building a house starting the 7th of June and ending 8 days later. There will be additional volunteer opportunities a few days before and after this event as well. Tahlequah is located in northeastern Oklahoma, on the edge of the Ozark Plateau. It is the terminus of the trail of tears and present headquarters of the Cherokee Nation. Attractions include a state-designated scenic river, Cherokee historical museum, hiking in Nature Conservancy preserve, and three good fishing lakes. We have reserved four RV sites at low cost ($4/day) and another 10 in exchange for a couple of days of volunteer work at a children’s home. If you are interested in helping us, call George Fulk 918 456-6248; or e-mail me at gmfulk2002@yahoo.com, and I can help you with arrangements.
The affiliate in Iowa City, Iowa Valley HFH will have work starting August 19-October 10. The build starting the week of August 19 will be our Eco-menical build: an effort to make the most energy efficient house possible (within certain financial constraints!); the student built home will begin September 26 to correspond with the HomeComing celebration at the University of Iowa. We could use 4-6 individuals each week. We have a large parking lot at our offices that could accommodate up to 6 RV's at a time. We are also located about one mile from a large community recreation center which has two basketball courts, a workout room, three swimming pools, and lots of other activities. If you are interested please contact:
Mark Patton
Executive Director
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity
ph 319.337.8949 fax 319.354.3527
www.iowavalleyhabitat.org markpatton22@gmail.com
** HELP WANTED HELP WANTED **
The BOF is in need of volunteers to fill the following positions:
Wagon Master - works with the Care-A-Vanner desk planning all BOF/Escapee builds & serve as a liaison with the Polk County HFH.
Secretary - keep minutes of meetings & other records as needed.
Newsletter Editor - Prepare newsletter quarterly for distribution. Some computer knowledge is helpful.
The BOF runs on “volunteer labor.” Please consider helping out to keep our group strong & growing.
2008 BOF-HFH Officers Ballot
1 ballot per membership. Circle your choice(s) and either email to Sally Hedberg at sshdd6@aol.com or send to her at 213 Rainbow Dr. #11393, Livingston, TX 77399 by June 15, 2008. Elections will be held and announced at the Escapade, June 29-July 5.
President - Jan and Rich Harper # 86921 or
_____________________________________ write in for President
Vice President- Kathy and Jim McBride #42623 or
_____________________________________ write in for Vice President
Secretary-
____________________________________ write in for Secretary
Treasurer- Sally Hedberg #49586 or
_____________________________________ write in for Treasurer
Accept the slate of nominees as presented
President Bio: The Harpers retired in ‘04 and joined Escapees. They attended their first build in ‘05 in Dothan, AL. In the fall of ‘05 they agreed to take on the secretary job of the BOF-HFH and represented the BOF on the row the last two Fall Escapades, giving seminars, presiding over the business meetings and sponsoring the socials. They believe in the Habitat program and want others to get involved.
Vice President Bio: The McBride’s have been Escapees since 1995 and worked on builds since 1998. They have lead several Escapee builds in Dade City, Florida where they generally spend the winter and work on Care-A-Vanner builds.
Secretary: This position is open. It entails taking minutes at the Escapades and serving on the Board of the BOF-HFH. We need someone to volunteer, so write your name in.
Treasurer: Sally Hedberg and Don Dietz were instrumental in forming the BOF-HFH in 1999 at the Spring Escapade in Chico, CA. They helped the BOF to raise the funds for the all Escapee build and funded house in Livingston, TX.
We still have lots of BOF HFH tee shirts for sale. If you are traveling to Livingston, Texas and want to work with this affiliate, please contact Susie at sdunaway@livingston.net for more information on how you can participate.
Mail to: Susie Gearing, 137 Rainbow Dr. #3755, Livingston, TX 77399
Specify quantities, sizes, long or short sleeves. They are grey with BOF-HFH logos on front and back. Great quality.
Short sleeves with pocket _____Large_____X large ____XX large (only sizes available)
Long sleeves w/o pocket ___Small______Med_____Large_____X large_____XX large
Name______________________________________Phone/email_________________
Address___________________________________ City_____________ST_________
Short sleeve shirt $10.00, long sleeve $15.00 plus $4.95 shipping charge (up to three shirts.) Escapees with Escapee Mail Service do not pay $4.95 shipping charge. Make total check out to Polk County Habitat for Humanity. Again Tax Deductible.
Habitat for Humanity Birds of a Feather Group Renewal / New Member Application.
Sign up for Habitat for Humanity BoF - The dues are $5.00 a year, with all renewals due in April.
New member _______ Renewal _________ Reactivated member _______
Name(s) _________________________________________ SKP# __________ Date ___________
Address _________________________________________________________________________
City _______________________________________ State _______ ZIP _____________________
Email ___________________________________________________________________________
Phone(s) Home__________________________Cell______________________________________
Type of Rig (MHA, MHC, 5W, TLR, TrkCmpr) _____________ Length _________ # of slides______
Number of HFH builds attended in 2007______ Have you served as a build Team Leader?______
How many builds to you attend in a typical year?___________
The BoF plans to publish a member roster. May we include your email address?__________
How would you like to receive your HFH BoF newsletter? (check one or more options):
By email as a .PDF file _______ By email as a plain text file________ By US mail ______
How would you like to receive your Care-a-Vanner newsletter? (check one option):
By email as a .PDF file _______ By US mail ______
I want _____ BOF-HFH decals and have enclosed $1.00 for each, plus 41 cents for postage.
Checks should be made out to: HFH BoF,
and sent to: Allen Downs, 120 Rainbow Dr #2045, Livingston, TX 77399-1020.
Your help please: Some of our newsletters have come back because of invalid email or US mail addresses. If you're an HFH BoF member, and you've changed your email or home address recently, please send us your name, SKP Number, and new email or home address so we can stay in touch. Thanks.
********************************************************************************************************************************
Upcoming Rallies and EventsBOF Voice Mail Information: 888-757-7701 ext. 8085 Please call this Voice Mail number for the latest Habitat for Humanity Birds of a Feather Group information. BOF OfficersElected:
• President: Rich & Jan Harper SKP 86920
• Vice President: Jim & Kathy McBride SKP 42623
• Treasurer: Sally Hedberg SKP 49586
• Secretary: Vacant – Looking for a Volunteer
Appointed:
• Newsletter Editor/Publisher: Sandy Bird SKP 73942 - Looking for a Volunteer
–-- A newsletter is published in January, April, July and October
• Membership Database, Webmaster and Email: Allen Downs SKP 45017
• Historian: Collen Moore SKP 85514
• Wagon Master/Build Coordinator for the BoF HFH: Vacant – Looking for a Volunteer
For more information, please contact:
E-Mail: Habitat for Humanity Birds of a Feather Group Mailing address:
Habitat for Humanity BoF
c/o Sally Hedberg
213 Rainbow Dr #11393
Livingston, TX 77399-2013 This page has been visited 2157 times since 20 November 2007. |
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