ServiceMaster Lives Up to Its Name in Work with Habitat

ServiceMaster is a Fortune 500 company that serves more than 10 million clients each year. With its array of services and companies, ranging from lawn care to housecleaning, the Memphis-based company improves the quality of life for a lot of American homeowners.

But perhaps no one has been touched more by ServiceMaster’s work than the Graceau White family. That’s because, at the end of August 2007, ServiceMaster broke ground on the construction of Graceau’s three-bedroom Habitat home. The company fully sponsored the home at $55,000 and provided 450 volunteers to build it from the ground up. It is located on Polk Avenue, not far from LeMoyne Owen College.

“They were so good to me. All of the volunteers were friendly, personable and easy to talk to,” Graceau said. “I am so grateful to all of these ServiceMaster employees for taking the time to help me.”

While different segments of ServiceMaster had done work with Habitat before, this fall’s project represented the first full home partnership between the two organizations. ServiceMaster built  Graceau’s home on weekdays, alongside one sponsored by FedEx, a longtime Habitat homebuilding partner. Vice President of Human Resources Kim Nowell says working with Habitat was a natural fit.

“ServiceMaster’s corporate objectives are rooted in doing the right thing, and our foundation objective is ‘Honor God In All You Do’. When looking for projects, Habitat immediately came to mind because ServiceMaster is about serving homeowners. Habitat creates new homeowners, and we want to be a part of that wonderful story,” Nowell said.

Over the course of eight days in August, September and October, members of ServiceMaster’s corporate and field teams rolled up their sleeves and tackled tasks that most of them had never even considered doing. From framing the home to nailing shingles on the roof and hanging siding, ServiceMaster volunteers did it all. And, they did it all on company time, a commitment that encourages employees to be good citizens, while still respecting employees’ personal time with their families. Nowell says the opportunity to build a sense of community among the ServiceMaster “family” was another key factor in the decision to sponsor a Habitat home.

“This was an excellent team builder. A person might be a great tax analyst, but have no idea how to hang a window or cut a piece of trim. People had to pitch in and help each other in a very different way. People left not with a certificate of completion to stuff in a drawer somewhere, but rather the satisfaction of making it possible for someone to own a home,” Nowell said.

And just because the home was completed and dedicated by the end of October didn’t mean that ServiceMaster’s relationship with Graceau and her two children ended there. ServiceMaster has donated a year’s worth of lawn care, termite and pest control and other services to the family. According to Graceau, that characterizes the kind of generosity that she experienced throughout the building process.

 “I was totally overwhelmed when I found out about all the additional servcies that they were offering. I already had received so much from these generous people, and I just felt like it was an extra blessing,” Graceau said.

ServiceMaster has already taken its commitment to Habitat one step further, as well, serving as the presenting sponsor of Habitat’s 300th Home Celebration in mid-November. Nowell says it was a logical progression—now that the partnership was solidified, they were ready to celebrate! The celebration, highlighted by a keynote address by Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford, brought together more than 200 Habitat partner families, donors, volunteers, sponsors and staff to celebrate a great milestone and look toward future endeavors.

That’s a future, Nowell said, which ServiceMaster fully intends to help build.

“We want to make a difference. We have wonderfully spirited and caring associates, many of whom live and work in Memphis. This is a city with a great many needs, and through deliberate affiliations with organizations like Habitat, we can make that difference.”

-Posted on December 21, 2007

Habitat to Honor '07 Volunteers at Annual Holiday Party

Volunteers from the University of Memphis, under the guidance of construction leader Ina Wiehl (far right), work on a home during the Fall 2007 Build in Northaven. These are just a few of the thousands of volunteers who helped Habitat in '07.

There truly is no place like home for the holidays.
Thanks to you and your generosity, 18 more Memphis-area families
will experience that joy firsthand this season!

Please join Habitat for Humanity as we celebrate the holidays and all of you
who make the work of Habitat possible throughout the year.

Memphis Habitat Holiday Party
Tuesday, December 18
6-8 p.m. (open house)
Church of the Holy Communion
Cheney Parish Hall
4645 Walnut Grove Road

RSVP to Julie Clary by Monday, December 17
jclary@memphishabitat.com

-Posted on December 10, 2007

ReStore Hosts Customer Appreciation Day Friday

The Habitat ReStore is pleased to announce its first Customer Appreciation Day this Friday, December 7 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The ReStore, a home improvement outlet open to the public, relies on generous donations from individuals and businesses. All ReStore proceeds go directly toward Memphis Habitat's efforts to eliminate substandard housing. The store is located at 169 Scott Street.

Join the ReStore staff this Friday, pick up a gift bag and refreshments (while supplies last) and check out some special merchandise. You'll also be eligible to register for great door prizes, including a $100 Lowe's gift card, $50 ReStore credit and an arrangement from Rachel's Flowers. Many thanks to all who have supported the ReStore over the years!

Of course, if you've never been to the store, there's no better day to check it out than this Friday! We'll see you there!!

-Posted on December 3, 2007

300 Homes, 300 Families, 300 Reasons to Celebrate!

Habitat International CEO Jonathan Reckford celebrates with Memphis Habitat's 300th homeowner, Twana Coleman, following a press conference and
dedication ceremony outside her new home.

He's now been to Memphis on two occasions. And twice Jonathan Reckford has missed his chance to visit Graceland. While the Habitat International CEO says it's something he'd like to do someday, it certainly wasn't going to take precedence over the true reason for his 24-hour visit to the home of rock 'n roll!

Last week, Reckford traveled to Memphis to celebrate a remarkable milestone, one that only a handful of Habitat affiliates nationwide have reached: the construction of 300 homes. And with the leader of the international organization in town, Memphis Habitat took full advantage of the opportunity to celebrate, while looking forward to the next 300 homes.

First, Reckford joined staff, homeowners and the Board of Directors for an informal lunch during which the CEO talked about current happening with Habitat and affiliate relations. Following that event, the affiliate held a press conference and dedication ceremony at the 300th home. The action-packed day concluded with the official 300th Home Celebration at Hilton Memphis. Reckford delivered a dynamic and inspirational keynote address for the audience of more than 200 of Habitat's strongest supporters. Others on the program included Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton, ABC24 anchor Bonny Kinney, Christian singer/songwriter John Angotti and American Idol finalist Gedeon McKinney. The event was presented by ServiceMaster, with additional support provided by Buckeye Technologies.

On the following day, Memphis Habitat hosted a symposium for more than a dozen area organizations at the 19th Century Club. The focus of the meeting was on how Habitat can work together with various groups, as a collaborative partner, to more effectively address poverty in our community.

-Posted on November 20, 2007

Habitat Dedicates 11 New Homes, Including 300th!

Habitat executive director Dwayne Spencer addresses six new partner families, as well as more than 150 supporters, outside of Memphis Habitat's 300th home in Memphis' Nehemiah neighborhood. Twana Coleman (far left) is the owner of the home. It was sponsored by the Thrivent Builds program, along with more than a dozen area Lutheran churches.

Five other partner families celebrate the dedication of their homes in Northaven. The Habitat Fall 2007 Build started on Friday, September 14. The 12 homes built represent the single largest build in Memphis Habitat's 24-year history.

Memphis Habitat is pleased to announce the completion of its Fall 2007 Build and the construction and dedication of its 300th home! Thanks to all of the sponsors and volunteers who helped to make this build such a great success. Construction will resume again in March 2008.

Memphis Habitat will celebrate the 300th home milestone during the week of November 12. Habitat International CEO Jonathan Reckford will be the keynote speaker at a celebration on the evening of Tuesday, November 13, and Memphis Habitat will host a symposium on affordable housing on the morning of Tuesday, November 14. For more information about these and other 300th home activities, e-mail Jeff Capps, community relations director, at jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

-Posted on November 9, 2007

Habitat Set to Dedicate 11 Homes This Weekend!

This home, located in the Nehemiah subdivision, is just one of 11 that Memphis Habitat will dedicate over the weekend. Dozens of sponsors have come together to make Fall 2007 the single largest build in Memphis Habitat's 24-year history.

For 11 Habitat partner families, their dream of homeownership will soon be reality. This Saturday and Sunday, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis will dedicate 11 brand new homes, pushing the affiliate’s total house production to 304 homes. Habitat began construction on most of the Fall 2007 homes on Friday, September 14. Thanks to the commitment of dozens of sponsors and hundreds of volunteers, Habitat is expected to meet its goal of completing the homes over the course of just eight volunteer days. Many thanks to the very generous sponsors who helped to make it all possible!

This weekend’s dedications are open to the public and will be followed by neighborhood block parties. The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, November 3 – 2 p.m. – Northaven Dedication (5177 Corkwood)
Sunday, November 4 – 2 p.m. – Nehemiah Dedication (3810 Jerusalem)

Thanks to everyone responsible for making Memphis Habitat’s single largest build a GREAT success. You helped build it! Happy 300th Habitat!!

-Posted on October 31, 2007

Thrivent Builds on Strong Foundation

In 15 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans built a remarkable 500 homes. In just two years, since the formation of the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity alliance, the organization has built 500 more!

One of those 500 homes is here in Memphis. Under construction this fall, the home is located at 3810 Jerusalem in the Nehemiah subdivision off of South Third Street. Approximately two-thirds of the funding was provided through Thrivent and local Lutheran churches. The home has been built exclusively by Lutheran volunteers from throughout Greater Memphis.

“This alliance is a powerful force for good,” says Memphis Habitat executive director Dwayne Spencer. “It not only inspires community members to take action, but it also provides some much-needed support.”

Thrivent Builds will celebrate its great milestone with a national program later this week at the site of the 500th home in Pontiac, Michigan. To date, Thrivent Builds has increased Habitat’s U.S. building efforts by nearly six percent and has also helped build additional homes in other countries through the Thrivent Builds Worldwide program.

“Substandard housing is a long-standing social problem,” says Linda Hill, regional Lutheran community services specialist for Thrivent. “Thrivent Financial members have helped Habitat for Humanity build affordable housing for 17 years, but this alliance has provided a way for us to help build more homes at a much faster rate.”

And speaking of milestones, the Thrivent home at 3810 Jerusalem will be celebrated as Memphis Habitat’s 300th home, upon its completion at the end of this month. Habitat for Humanity CEO Jonathan Reckford will travel to Memphis in November to help commemorate the achievement.

For more information about how you can become involved with the Fall 2007 Build, please contact Jeff Capps at 761-4771, ext. 215 or jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

-Posted on October 11, 2007

Memphis Habitat Welcomes Brazilian Missionaries

Habitat board member Chris Ham (left), joined by Rev. Jango Miranda, his wife Sandra, Rev. Rubens Diender of Brazil, worked on a new Habitat home on Jerusalem Street in South Memphis alongside Habitat homeowners and fellow mission partners from Georgia and Mississippi.

Habitat for Humanity expanded its reach this weekend when Brazilian missionaries joined volunteers at the Nehemiah build site on Saturday, September 29. Longtime Habitat supporter Germantown Presbyterian Church hosted The Rev. Jango Miranda, coordinator of the Sertao Project in Northeast Brazil, and his wife Sandra, along with several other partners from Atlanta and Jackson. The Sertao project began in 1998 with the goal of planting missionary fields in Patos, Sao Mamede, and Malta, Caico and Cruzeta. The second phase of the project will include the Brazilian cities of Sousa, Pombal, and Cajazeiras.

Jango and Sandra were joined by Rev. Chris Ham, a member of the Habitat board of directors, who was excited to introduce the missionaries to Habitat. While 12 Habitat affiliates operate throughout Brazil, the program is not currently a presence in the cities where the Sertao Project efforts are focused. Saturday’s build allowed the Mirandas their first opportunity to participate in a Habitat build and they are hopeful that they will be able to introduce Habitat’s mission in Northeastern Brazil.

The missionaries, joined by dozens of local Presbyterian church partners throughout the city, continued work on the new Habitat home at 3802 Jerusalem Street in South Memphis. Construction is underway on 12 Habitat homes throughout the city with volunteer opportunities available through Saturday, October 27. For volunteer information, please contact Jeff Capps at 901-761-4771, ext. 215 or jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

-Posted on October 3, 2007

MATA Brings It Home

Habitat volunteers join a MATA employee for a photo opportunity before heading to the build site on Saturday morning. In all, MATA will help Memphis Habitat transport more than 2000 volunteers during the Fall 207 Build.

Each weekday, Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) transports  nearly 40,000 riders to various destinations throughout Shelby County and West Memphis, Ark. But on Saturdays throughout this fall, MATA has taken on the responsibility of bringing "home" hundreds of volunteers eager to work on Habitat's eight different build sites. Habitat's new homes are located in Northaven and in the Nehemiah subdivision in South Memphis.

"It's been such a blessing," says Habitat community relations director Jeff Capps. "MATA was eager to donate their services, and their generosity has allowed us to offer safe remote parking and comfortable, air-conditioned transportation to and from the construction sites."

Volunteers have been greeted by kind drivers, who are enthusiastic about the chance to do something outside of their normal routine and help an organization that's working to make a difference in the community. Buses leave designated church parking lots each morning at four different times and offer outbound service to new volunteers and return service to morning volunteers around lunchtime. Buses then return to take everyone back to the parking lot at the close of the afternoon shift. A huge "thank you" to MATA for all they've done to help make the Fall 2007 Build a great success so far!

Saturday construction shifts will continue through October 27. For more information on how you can become as a volunteer, please contact Jeff Capps at 761-4771, ext. 215 or jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

-Posted on September 24, 2007

Hundreds of Volunteers Rally to "Help Build It!"

By the end the second day of construction at the Northaven build site, hundreds of volunteers had joined forces to frame and roof eight new Habitat homes. Over the next six weekends, hundreds more will gather on this site and two others to work alongside twelve new Habitat partner families.

The second phase of Memphis Habitat’s Fall 2007 Build kicked off on September 14-15 in Northaven and the Nehemiah neighborhood in South Memphis. By the end of construction on day two, eight new Habitat houses were well on their way to completion thanks to hundreds of volunteers who worked alongside eight new homeowners from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

In all, thousands of volunteers will join Habitat's new partner families for the next six Saturdays to shingle the roofs, hang siding and trim, lay brick, paint the interior and exterior of each home and landscape each yard.  By October 27, Memphis Habitat will complete twelve new Habitat homes, including our 300th home in Memphis.

The first phase of the Fall 2007 Build continued as FedEx and ServiceMaster completed the fourth day of construction on two more Habitat homes on Polk Street in South Memphis despite rainy conditions last Thursday.

In the coming weeks, construction on two additional homes, which are being built in partnership with two victims of Hurricane Katrina, will begin. These homes will be constructed by professional contractors thanks to a Habitat for Humanity International grant to help affiliates aid storm victims who relocated to other cities in the aftermath of the 2005 storms.

If you would like to volunteer to "help build it" during Memphis Habitat’s Fall 2007 Build, please contact Jeff Capps at 901-761-4771, ext. 215 or jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

-Posted on September 17, 2007

Corporate Volunteers Burn through Summer Build Days

During the first day of construction, FedEx employees rally to lift the first
truss onto a new Habitat home on Polk Street in South Memphis.

Over the last two weeks, more than 300 local volunteers from FedEx and ServiceMaster endured some of the summer’s hottest days, as Memphis Habitat’s Fall 2007 Build got off to a scorching start! The companies started construction on the two homes, just off of Crump Boulevard, on Wednesday August 29. By the end of work last Thursday, both homes were completely “dried in” and prepped for electrical and HVAC sub-contractors. Construction is due to be completed on Thursday, October 11.

FedEx typically builds two homes per year with Memphis Habitat. The project originated with FedEx Services, which now offers team-building opportunities for departments throughout the corporation’s many different business units. ServiceMaster is a brand new sponsor and has structured its team-building model on FedEx’s tried and true approach. The companies will host a home tour and informational meeting at their build sites on Thursday, October 4 from 10:30 a.m. until noon. The event is aimed at potential corporate partners who wish to learn more about partnering with Habitat.

For more about this event or information on how to become a general volunteer for Habitat’s Fall 2007 Build (scheduled to begin this Friday, September 14), please contact Jeff Capps at 761-4771, ext. 215 or jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

-Posted on September 10, 2007

New Homeowners Check Out "Plans" for the Future

Prospective Habitat homeowners Audrey Shaw and Marjorie Barre look over their floor plans with Jimmie Holmes, director of construction, at a recent event. Memphis Habitat is building 12 new homes this fall with deserving families.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall two years ago this week in New Orleans and along the Gulf coast, Audrey Shaw and Marjorie Barre evacuated to Memphis. Two years later, they are calling Memphis “home” thanks in part to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis.

This fall, Shaw, Barre and ten additional families will have safe, decent and affordable housing to call their own. Shaw and Barre’s home will be built by professional home builders as part of a Habitat for Humanity International grant designated to help victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Ten additional homes will be built on three sites throughout the city of Memphis by thousands of volunteers who will give up a Saturday to provide a hand-up to Habitat’s new partner families.

Over the past few months, the Habitat staff has been working with new families, sponsors and volunteers to plan this fall’s build. On Monday, August 27, 12 families gathered at the Church of the Holy Communion and were finally able to meet the generous sponsors who have committed to assist them in the construction of their new homes and look over their house plans for the first time. Construction on two homes, sponsored by FedEx and ServiceMaster, began on Wednesday, August 29 and construction on the other ten homes begins on Friday, September 14. For more information about the current building project, please contact Jeff Capps at 901-761-4771, ext. 215 or jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

-Posted August 31, 2007

Habitat Unveils 300th Home Logo!

Habitat recently commissioned a new logo to be used this fall in celebration of the construction of our 300th home. With the construction of 12 new homes this season, the affiliate will reach and surpass this great milestone. The homes, which are being built in Northaven, LeMoyne Gardens and Nehemiah (off of South Third), will be dedicated on November 3-4. The official 300th home celebration will take place during the week of November 12 and will include a visit from Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford.

For information about how you can become involved with the Fall 2007 Build or Habitat’s 300th home celebration, please contact Jeff Capps at 901-761-4771, ext. 215 or jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

-Posted on August 24, 2007

"Green Hats" Hammer Out Final Build Details

Longtime Habitat volunteers Rob Hall and Jim Joyner (sans green hats!) review blueprints for the home that they will lead construction on this fall.

With two homes due to start construction in just under two weeks and nine more on the heels of those, Habitat staff and volunteers have been working overtime! Members of Habitat’s volunteer-led construction committee, which boasts more than 30 active members, met this week to review blueprints and finalize their plans for Habitat’s largest single building project in years. This fall, the affiliate will build 11 homes in three different parts of the city—Northaven, LeMoyne Gardens and the Nehemiah subdivision off of South Third Street.


Construction committee members, better known as Green Hats, meet monthly to plan for upcoming projects and work through changes in house designs and building technology. When the build begins, Green Hats are charged with leading sponsor groups and other individual volunteers through every phase of home construction. While most members of the committee have “day jobs” totally unrelated to construction, they are consummate pros, when it comes to helping Habitat achieve its goals. Green Hat Amy Kennedy (holding blueprint in above photo), a child life specialist at St. Jude and native of St. Louis, says there's nothing quite like working with Habitat. "While I continually learn new skills, it's the people who keep me coming back. I have met some amazing people who have become my Memphis family," says Kennedy.

Construction committee members listen as construction director Jimmie Holmes updates them on progress at the build sites.

The Fall 2007 Build, which will include the construction of Memphis Habitat’s 300th home, officially begins on Friday, September 14. For more information on how you can become involved with Habitat’s construction committee, please contact Jeff Capps at jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

Habitat Clears Way for Homeownership!

It’s hard to believe that, in just over two weeks, these two empty lots will be filled with hundreds of volunteers who, despite the heat, will frame the house, raise the roof and paint the walls of two new Habitat homes. In all, 11 Habitat lots are currently being prepared for Memphis Habitat’s Fall 2007 Build, which will include the construction of the affiliate’s 300th home in 24 years.

"This is a really exciting time for Habitat, as we’re building nearly as many homes this fall as we built all of last year," says Dwayne Spencer, Habitat’s executive director. "We’re thrilled to have enough sponsor support to move 11 families into simple, decent and affordable homes. It should be a great build season!"

The season officially begins on Wednesday, August 29 on Polk Street in Lemoyne Gardens (on the lots pictured above). Sponsored by FedEx and ServiceMaster, these homes will be constructed by mid-week crews from both organizations. Construction on two additional sites in Northaven and the Nehemiah neighborhood, off of South Third Street, are set to begin Friday, September 14 and continue each Saturday through October 27.

For information about sponsoring a home or volunteering during the Fall 2007 Build, please contact Jeff Capps at 901-761-4771, ext. 215 or jcapps@memphishabitat.com.

Families Find “Peace” in Preparing for Fall Build

As Memphis Habitat prepares to enter its single largest building season ever, 11 new partner families are preparing to become first-time homeowners. Each Thursday for the past four weeks, more than 25 individuals have taken part in Habitat’s Financial Peace University program. According to Habitat family services director Micheal Clark, who draws on nearly 20 years of residential lending experience to teach the course, the program is critical to the success of future Habitat homeowners. “The biggest benefit for our homeowners is a newfound appreciation for the importance of creating a budget and being organized enough to manage their household cash flow,” says Clark. “Since we started using Financial Peace a couple of years ago, we’ve seen lives changed—many of our homeowners are developing positive relationships with banks for the first time and, more importantly, saving money. It’s remarkable.”

The course, which lasts 15 weeks and concludes during the first part of the building season, also incorporates basic home and yard maintenance training. Homeowners have access to free individualized budget counseling and even free consultations with an attorney, who volunteers to help families develop wills. While the immediate result is well-trained first-time homeowners who make excellent partners for Habitat, Clark believes the impact is much deeper than that. “It’s not about doing it for yourself, but rather being able to put yourself in a position where you truly can give back—not just to your family, but also to others in need,” says Clark. In addition to attending the Financial Peace class, partner families complete 350 hours of sweat equity, pay $1,000 down on their homes and commit to making on-time monthly mortgage payments on a zero-interest loan.

The Fall 2007 Build, which will encompass the construction of Memphis Habitat’s 300th home, officially begins on Friday, September 14.

State Farm Grants $10,000 for Memphis Habitat Youth Initiative

State Farm recently granted $1.1 million to Habitat for Humanity International to help fund its youth programs. After an extensive application process, Memphis Habitat was one of only ten affiliates to receive a $10,000 matching grant from the State Farm grant. Over the next year, local youth building partners will work to raise an additional $50,000 to fully fund the Spring 2008 Youth United home.

Last spring, ten local high schools raised more than $27,000 to help fund the building of a new Habitat home at 648 Jennette Place in LeMoyne West, and more than 300 students signed up to participate in the project. Out-of-uniform days, benefit concerts and dances were among the many events that took place throughout local high schools during the last school year, along with some good old-fashioned door to door fundraising—all to support Habitat for Humanity’s building program.

Due to the success of that youth-building initiative, Memphis Habitat has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity International to become an official Youth United affiliate.

Youth United is a HFHI initiative that provides affiliates with a creative means to involve local youth, ages 5-25, in the effort to fully fund and build a Habitat for Humanity house each year. Across the country, more than 90 affiliates are involved in Youth United, and more than 50 Habitat homes have been built by Youth United groups.

For more information about the Youth United program, please contact Julie Clary, programs coordinator, at
901-761-4771, ext.213 or e-mail youthunited@memphishabitat.com.

This is an edited version of an article that appears in the summer edition of Memphis Habitat's newsletter bi-annual newsletter, Blueprint, due to hit newsstands soon!

Habitat Welcomes Five New Board Members

Like all non-profit organizations, Memphis Habitat relies on a strong board of directors to guide its decision-making and major activities. Habitat is fortunate to have an excellent board, consisting of 20 members with a broad range of professional expertise and varied backgrounds in community service. Although it’s a diverse group, all members share a passion for Habitat’s mission of eliminating substandard housing.

At the start of a new fiscal year, Memphis Habitat is pleased to welcome five new board members: Neil Arnold, Sharon Goldsworthy (not pictured), Stan Holmes, Mike Morgan and Kim Nowell. Board members serve three-year terms. In addition to attending quarterly meetings, board members are asked to lead and participate in committee work, assist in major fundraising efforts and support the work of the organization in whatever other ways necessary. Welcome to our new board members, and many thanks to all of those board members, past and present, who have helped to shape our organization and serve Memphis-area families in need of simple, decent and affordable housing.

Visit our news page for more on all the latest Habitat happenings!

Exotic Car Show Raises More Than $21,000!!

With thousands in attendance on a beautiful Father's Day, Habitat's 6th Annual Exotic Italian Car Show raised more than $21,000 to help Memphis Habitat in its efforts to eliminate substandard housing. Exotic vehicles ranged from vintage Ferraris to state-of-the-art Lamborghinis and the ever-popular 1957 Bandini, one of only two in the entire United States! Special thanks to everyone for joining us and especially to our major sponsors, Memphis Cars Italia, Foreign Cars Italia and Ameriprise Financial.

President of Memphis Cars Italia, Tom Francis (right), presents car owner Tommy Black with the "Best in Show" trophy. Tommy's winning car, the 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo, is pictured below.

The 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo is just one of dozens of unique, world-class automobiles that visitors can expect to see at the 6th Annual Exotic Italian Car Show.

Homeowners Celebrate Completion of New Homes!

Habitat has dedicated four new homes in Memphis' LeMoyne West Neighborhood. After eight work days, more than 350 sweat equity hours and 15 weeks of financial training, the new homeowners are now set for move-in day.

Habitat’s Spring 2007 partner families celebrate with a ribbon-cutting and pause for a moment of prayer during their dedication ceremony.

The completion of the homes was celebrated with a dedication ceremony and neighborhood block party. More than 150 people were in attendance. Special thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors and volunteers, and congratulations to these brand new Habitat homeowners!