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News & Events
Art for Homes
Sponsored in part by Cellardoor Winery, this very special project was a challenge for nine Maine artists who do assemblage or constructed pieces. Each one was put to the task of creating one of a kind art, using building materials donated by exhibitors at the Midcoast Home Show. Midcoast Habitat for Humanity will benefit from the auction of these unique, awe inspiring and ingenious works of craft. The artists featured are: Michael Branca, Jill Dalton, Dan Dowd, Eva Deveau, Nathan Deveau, Mark Kelly, Mike Libby, Edward Mackenzie, Louise Philbrick and Anastasia S. Weigle. Bidding for these amazing pieces can be done online or in person at Maine Home & Design Midcoast Show, Saturday, June 5th 10-6 and Sunday, June 6th 10-4 at Point Lookout or the Midcoast Home Show Gala slated for Saturday June 5th, 5-8pm. Tickets for the Gala are $25 per person, and each auction winner will be awarded their piece after the show. For more information, or for tickets, please call 207-772-3373 or visit the website at www.constructionsforhumanity.com
WELCOME OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
 Midcoast Habitat for Humanity is overjoyed to welcome Tia Anderson as our new Executive Director. A professional in architectural design, and a graduate of Lehigh University, Anderson discovered Camden as a stop on a fortuitous sail from Florida a number of years ago. Anderson fell in love with the natural beauty of the local area, as well as with the tight knit sense of community Camden offered. Having worked with local architects at two successful firms, Anderson understands the extraordinary process behind homebuilding. Anderson has taken on her own projects in the industry, but felt drawn towards her earliest experiences in the field: back to a trip she took as a young person, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, on an Alaskan building project. Her goal for Midcoast Habitat for Humanity? “To help the community understand Habitat’s mission, to create an enthusiasm for the wide array of volunteer opportunities and to encourage people to become a part of Habitat engaging both the hearts, and minds, of our county.”
Tia can be reached by email. tia@midcoasthabitat.org
Hospitality for Habitat!
The Maine Innkeepers Association (MEIA) announces the 7th Annual Hospitality for Habitat program. This program is designed to raise funds for local chapters of Habitat for Humanity while encouraging travel in Maine in the Spring season. The offer is very simple. Between April 26 and May 28, 2010, participating member properties will offer a designated number of their rooms at half the regular rate, in exchange for a $35 check payable to Habitat for Humanity. These funds will be distributed among the nine local chapters of Habitat for Humanity.
Learn and Build Experience - Summer Program 2010
HFHI's Learn and Build Experience summer youth program now accepting applications! (Due by January 15, 2010)
Students ages 16 to 18 can experience Habitat's work outside of their communities through HFHI's Learn and Build Experience. In addition to a week of building, students will also learn about the need for Habitat through educational activities. The four 2010 trips will begin in mid-June and take place at Rutherford County Area HFH in Murfreesboro, Tennesee and Lauderdale County HFH in Meridian, Mississippi. We are now accepting applications for the 2010 Learn and Build Experience trips! Scholarships are available. Any questions?
Designing for Good
 Midcoast Habitat is thrilled to have local architects Eric Allyn, (on left) Peter Gross, and Joe Russillo donating their talents to design a new home for our partner families that will incorporate sustainable materials and be more energy efficient. The new houses will be constructed on Beechwood Street in Thomaston at the Deer Run Development. Thank you to these talented and generous men! (11/2009)
Dedication of our 20th Home!
A happy ceremony marking the dedication of our latest project took place in August of 2009, with 45 well-wishers attending. Under sunny skies, MHFH Board members and volunteers, friends and neighbors joined in celebrating with partner family Renee Peasely and her children. We toured the home and were impressed to see all of the efforts Renee has made to make her "house" into a cozy, comfortable "home."
Our 20th Home is Completed!
We are really pleased to announce that our 20th home is now in the hands of its new owner. Construction began in September 2008 and the home was complete and ready for occupancy in mid-February. Renee Peasley signed her mortgage agreement, received the keys on 5 February 2009, and moved in that very night with her two young children.
After the unexpected death of her husband two years ago, Renee learned that she would soon be without a home. She successfully applied to Midcoast Habitat knowing that we provided the real opportunity she needed to provide stability for her young family. To complete the home on time and on budget, the building crew worked throughout the fall and early winter, with Renee working consistently alongside the crew to complete her new home.
Midcoast Habitat wishes to express a very special thanks to the volunteer building crew, headed up Dick Eichacker of Rockport. They actually completed the home ahead of schedule!
We also want to extend our deepest appreciation to the following local individuals and businesses who contributed significantly to the project, offering deep discounts or free services:
Steve McMahon; Gary Tilton, Electrician; Brent Pratt, Midcoast Waterproofing; Landmark Surveyors; Attorney Edward Doudera; Schofields; Spears; Irv's Drywall; Bob Price Insulating; Mike McMahon, Plumber; F.W. Webb; Guy Wilson; and Bolduc Correctional Facility.
MIDCOAST HABITAT BUILDS 20th HOME
Story by Erika Alex, Camden Hills Regional High School
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Midcoast Habitat for Humanity's 20th home, a sparkling new three-bedroom raised ranch located in Thomaston, is now complete. |
Homeowner Renee Peasley and her two children, Mikayla, 8, and Gareth, 3, received the keys to their new home on February 5, 2009, and moved in that very night. "I feel very fortunate that we were chosen for this new home," said Renee. After the unexpected death of her husband two years earlier, she learned that she and her children would soon be without a place to live. The family needed a house, as well as a change in their lives, and Renee turned to Midcoast Habitat.
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"I knew that my neighbors had a Habitat for Humanity home so I decided to put in an application," she said. When the call came months later informing Renee that she had been chosen, she was "excited, overcome with joy, and crying" all at the same time. The new split-level ranch is located near their former address which made everything much more convenient for the Peasley family.
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"We're still in our town and neighborhood, and my children still attend the same school with their same friends," said Renee. The transition could not have been easier for the newly widowed mom.
Both Mikayla and Gareth each have their own rooms, and they were given the exciting task of choosing their paint colors. Renee said, "At first they were unsure of what exactly was happening, especially Gareth since he is only 3. But as moving day grew closer, they got more and more excited." Renee said this part was "fun and exciting."
"I feel very fortunate to have been given an opportunity like this. It's a fresh start, a new beginning for my children and myself in a nice affordable new home where we can stay in the same town."
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As part of her agreement with Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, Renee helped with the building process as much as she could, contributing her 400 hours of "sweat equity" time. Since September, when construction began, she went to the building site at least every other day to clean and neaten things up. As the house neared completion, she picked out things for the interior, such as paint, carpets, and countertops. Thanks to the diligence of the volunteer building crew, headed up by Dick Eichacker of Rockport, the new home was completed ahead of schedule. The property is the 10th house he has supervised for Midcoast Habitat.
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Midcoast Habitat for Humanity is a United Mid-Coast Charities Agency, helping to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing for hard-working, low-income families in Knox County. An affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, Midcoast Habitat provides a "hand-up", not a hand-out."It's the generosity of our volunteers, area organizations, businesses, and friends that make our work possible," said Vicki Doudera, Board President. "Donations of time, money, or land are always welcome. Just call or e-mail. This year we hope to include even more Midcoast residents in the exciting work of providing a deserving family with the most basic of human needs: a safe place to live."
Midcoast Habitat wishes to thank the following local individuals and businesses who contributed significantly to the project, offering deep discounts or free services: Steve McMahon; Gary Tilton, Electrician; Brent Pratt, Midcoast Waterproofing; Landmark Surveyors; Attorney Edward Doudera; Schofields; Spears; Irv's Drywall; Bob Price Insulating; Mike McMahon, Plumber; F.W. Webb; Guy Wilson; and Bolduc Correctional Facility.
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POSTER CONTEST WINNER
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Congratulations to Sonia Beckstrom of Rockport, our 2009 poster contest winner! Sonia's design is part of our new poster, pictured above.
All of the artwork we received was creative, heartfelt, and original. We had a hard time choosing just one design! Thank you to everyone who participated.
To see all the great submissions for the contest, click here.
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Jo Ellen Designs Donates to Midcoast Habitat
With every sale of the popular "Fox and Vine" patterned rugs and pillows, Camden retailer Jo Ellen Designs donates a portion of their sales to Midcoast Habitat for Humanity. Owner and designer Jo Ellen Stammen, along with her daughter and store manager Jessica, opened in the Knox Mill in Camden back in the spring of 2008. From the very beginning, giving to charitable organizations was part of their business plan. The generosity of Jo Ellen Designs is a huge help as we work to increase the number of houses we can build in Knox County. We invite any area business that wants to, to partner with us in this way. Give us a call.
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