April 30, 2015 West Bay Rotary Club Meeting
Posted by Jennifer Bell
on May 01, 2015
West Bay Rotary Club Meeting
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Today’s Speaker was Tia Anderson, the Executive Director of MidCoast Habitat for Humanity. MidCoast Habitat for Humanity has been in the area for 25 years and has helped 26 families relocate into new homes and has helped 18 additional families with additional services. These services include rehab, development, weatherization and repair of existing homes. Families wishing to receive assistance from Habitat for Humanity need to submit an application of need and financial status. Families must show financial ability to manage a mortgage and to maintain a home. Families must also be willing to participate in the building process and future projects of Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity works very closely with families to make sure the families are successful in owning the home. So, far they have never had a foreclosure with any of the families. They get about 8-10 applications a month from needy families. Not all qualify, but Habitat for Humanity will work with families to help them qualify in the future through their financial education services
A typical project requires about 5000 volunteer hours with an average cost of $110,000 to $140,000. The average home is a 1250 sq ft 3 bedroom home. Much of the material is donated by local businesses.
Habitat for Humanity also has the ReStore. This is a store located on Route 90 across from Tolman Pond that sells donated new and used building supplies, appliances and home decorative items to the general public. The ReStore is run by 30 volunteers and has made a huge financial difference for MidCoast Habitat for Humanity. They are open Wed-Sat 9am-3pm.
To learn more about MidCoast Habitat for Humanity go to their website at www.midcoasthabitat.org
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Buckets on the Table – Jenny Bell and her husband Doug Sensenig challenged the membership with a matching grant of $250.00 for a ShelterBox to support the Nepal Aid effort. Jenny and her family spent a few weeks in Nepal while on their world tour in 2011/2012. While there, they fell in love with the people, culture and landscape. Additionally they became close with two young men, Rabi and Buddhi. They have been in touch with Buddhi and Rabi since the earthquake and both are alive and ok but their villages have been destroyed and many people in their village have died. They were both in Kathmandu when the quake occurred.
This just in! The generous membership gave $1221.21 for the ShelterBox. Not bad for 5 minutes of fundraising!
Dolores Hysong received a Paul Harris Multiple Pin. Congratulations and Thank You Dolores!
Ray Fink, Linda Pearson and Tim Dresser received Rotary pins for bringing in new members.
E-Waste – was very successful and very busy. We had a steady stream of people from 9-2pm and collected from 90% of the public resulting in $3400 in donations. The shredding was also very successful. They collected 3500 lbs of paper.
Duck Derby – SELL YOUR TICKETS!! We still need people to participate the day of the event. Peter would love the entire membership to be present at the public landing the morning of May 23rd. Be there if you can.
Progressive Dinner - Scheduled for May 16th. Talk to Barbara Heard to sign up if you are interested in participating. She still needs hosts for cocktails and dessert.
Next Week’s Speaker – Ian Stewart, Steward of Coastal Mountains Land Trust