The Advertiser has a nice article about the dedication of our first two homes in Wolfville on December 3rd, 2011.  Check it out HERE.

Home Dedication in the News

Check out the Chronicle Herald's story on our very first home dedication HERE.

Our First Homes Dedicated!!!

 

Saturday, December 3rd we had our very first Habitat NS, Annapolis Valley Project homes dedicated to two lovely families!  It was a beautiful celebration and the most wonderful Christmas present ever!!  Check out this link to the photos of the day:

Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley Project Wolfville Home Dedication

Our Last Update for Our First Homes!!!

Hello folks, We have water and heat and solar power hooked up. We passed the electrical inspection on Fri and will have final inspection and blower test for R 2000 on Fri. We'll do some touch up painting on Wed. NSCC will complete a little trim work on Thurs or Fri. Merry Maid services completed a total clean up today. Our ETS installer will connect a timer for the ETS and then........ It's time to turn over the keys on Sat. Denise from Habitat NS has prepared the agenda for Sat. Things have really fallen into place. We're having a thank you gathering for NSCC students Wed at 4 pm at Paddy's Pub in Wolfville. Drop by if you can. Hope to see all of you on Sat at 2pm. Bring friends and family.

Dexter Paving Donates!!

Dexter paving did the work repaving the main road due to sewer/water work at the house today. Both the crew and the company donated all of their time and the materials! THANK YOU!!!

The End Is Near!

Hi folks, 

Here's the latest on our build. Painting is mostly complete. A pro from from Windsor should finish it all tomorrow. Kitchen cabinets as well as upstairs bathroom vanities are installed. Flooring is not quite finished. We needed more flooring for one basement bedroom. It will be in shortly. Also waiting for two doors that have been ordered. Will be here next Tues. NSCC will return next Week to finish off front deck, flooring ,trim, doors anything else that needs doing. Our electrician will return next week to complete all electrical work. Plumbing and heating crew will also be on site next week to finish up their part. Solar heat and Nu Air installation will follow when we're ready. John and I are planning on finishing the front walkway tomorrow. Hopefully the washers and dryers, fridges and stoves will arrive tomorrow as well. Will keep you posted.The end is near!! - Greg 

October Update ... Painting Now!

As of today all crack filling is complete and we have a primer coat of paint on most of both units. Will complete primer coat tomorrow and start finish coat as well. All painting should be completed by next Tues if all goes well.

All insulation was blown in the attic yesterday and the NSCC crew will continue work on trim, stairs flooring,cabinets and decks. Most interior doors are hung.

Our electrician will start installing lights fixtures plugs etc, next week. We'll hopefully be ready for all plumbing and heating connections by the end of the month. Once the water is connected we'll finally finish our landscaping.

Things look really great and our amazing crew of students are making great progress.
I don't want to suggest when we'll be totally finished. As you know I've done that before and been very wrong. All I'll say is .....we're close!!

Kenny Cogswell ,our dry wall person made an interesting comment to me today. He said that when Gerry invited him and his team to pitch in and help us out ,he was honoured. Does this not once again describe  the feelings of many folks who decide to get involved with Habitat. Thanks Kenny!!

Come Join the Fun!

Hi Everyone,

Hope you enjoyed your summer! With the first day of Fall upon us, it is time to update our volunteers and bring you all up to speed.

Build progress continued all summer and we are now at the crack fill stage. We certainly need anyone who has expertise with this task and is able to volunteer some time. It would be greatly appreciated. Crack filling is one of those jobs which requires the hand of a skilled individual. If you can help with this please let me know!

Greg Hubbert is back in the saddle and can be found at the build site most days along with his side kick John Owen. We would be lost without the dedication shown by these two at the build site. We have also had other volunteer groups come out to join in and lend a hand-- 14 Wing Greenwood is one who has become a regular on site. The students are also back with the same energy and enthusiasm as the last group of students-- we cannot thank them and their instructors enough.

We are continuing to seek ways and means as funds are always needed. In order to do this we require your support. Rather than have one large group involved in all fundraisers, it has been decided to divide the events up so those who wish can volunteer for a specific event which may interest them. I have come up with a few ideas for events so ask anyone who may be interested in the following to let me help we require, we also need some able bodies to help out know. This would mean being part of an organizing committee for just the event you wish to participate in;

1) Handbags for Habitat---- a lady's evening but we welcome males to join in and help as well!

2) Benefit sport events

Apart from the Fundraising, we also need some able bodies who are willing to have a more permanent role with us. The following is a list of tasks which we need some people to take on;

1) Data base-- ensure date base is current as well as

2) Someone who is willing to update  our Gmail account and work with the person who is updating data base

We are always looking for donations of tools and building materials. If we cannot use what you have to donate, it is passed along to our Re Store in Dartmouth where it is sold which provides funding for us here in Valley as well. At this time we need donations of painting tools-- brushes, rollers, etc, as well as doorknobs.

I hope to hear back from you and welcome any constructive ideas you may have for any aspect of our build-- take time to drive out and see the progress, it is amazing what a community can do when they work together.

Thanks for your time,

Belinda Manning

Project Administrator

Fundraising Chair

HFH NS Annapolis Valley Project

Big Things Happening!

Hi folks,
What a day we had yesterday! Over 30 people onsite and we fed them all. The good news regarding the food is that it was the end of our donated Larsen's hot dogs. 48 dozen and they're finally all gone.
The water was finally hooked up yesterday. We can't use it though until we make all of our final connections in the house. That means after we install cabinets likely this time next month.
We had 10 folks from Greenwood with us yesterday. [ The 4rth such group] and they worked on crack filling sanding etc. They will send another group next Wed and more when we need them for landscaping. We'll seed and sod as soon as we have water.
We also had 14 students from NSCC on site. They will be there 4 days a week until everything is complete. They have started trimming out windows and will hang all inside doors, lay all of our flooring,complete all front deck work,finish off all of the handrails on stairs,install all cabinets, and any other job we may need them to do. They are amazing!
Paint and doors are being delivered next Tues. We have a professional paint crew ready to go. We've hired some local guys to finish our crack filling for us. It really is the job that never ends .
I've asked someone to arrange a meal for our students every Tues. If any of you can help out in this way please contact us. A simple meal of sandwiches and a muffin would be greatly appreciated by our students.
Will keep in touch.

Valley Credit Union Adopt-A-Day Click to check out this photo album!

A Life of Inspiration

WOW 9 year old Lauren Kruszewski what a great inspiration!
Lauren is a 9 year old girl from Wolfville, NS who decided to make a difference.  On Lauren’s 9th birthday she decided that instead of the traditional birthday presents she would like to have the money you would spend on a present donated to the charity of her choice, which was Habitat of Humanity.  Lauren raised $92.60 Great Job Lauren we thank you so much for your kindness.

End of August Update

Here's a quick update on things going on with our build.
Sewer going in next week. [Yes it was planned to go in three weeks ago]
John will get rid of weeds soon and till up all soil. We'll seed and sod as soon as we can after sewer is finished.

Gerry is continuing work on crack filling. Hope to finish soon so we can get our painters going.
We have a crew set for next Wed. We'll be crack filling,landscaping and maybe blowing insulation in the attic.

Will speak with Mike Fiefield from NSCC next week. He is interested in bringing his new class of carpentry students back to help us finish things off.

June 28 Photo Update

 

 

Update from Greg!

Hi folks,

Another great week and much work accomplished.

Home Depot had an adopt a day today and we finished spreading all of the compost that Wolfville gave us. 15 to 20 truck loads today and the same amount last Sat. with a group from CFB Greenwood. Will start spreading top soil on Wed with another group from Home Depot.

Gerry Palmer and his crew started drywall work in both basements today. Ceilings and inside walls mostly done. Blower test for R-2000 next Wed.,then full speed ahead with dry wall work and crack filling. Rick Wood is bringing in a crew of students on July 6th to hang dry wall for us. Adrian Nette from Annapolis Royal will do all of our crack filling for us. Karol has some friends who are painters and they are ready to go when we need them. We have two local companies preparing quotes for cabinets.

Hope to have water and sewer connected in next few weeks. Have spoken with two companies regarding back hoe work for sewer line. Will meet with town staff hopefully this week to make final plans.

We're working every Tues., Wed. and Sat. Please feel free to drop by and lend a hand whenever you can. There is always lots of little jobs to do.

Build Update from Greg

Hi folks,

Just a short note to keep you posted as to our progress on the build. Had a great day today. Completed vapour barrier work in upstairs of the 104 unit. Landscaping is coming along nicely . We have 12 volunteers coming next Wed so they should be able to finish up all of the raking and rock work and likely start spreading the compost and top soil that we have on site. Will rent a dry wall jack [for putting dry wall on ceilings I've learned] for the week after next. We have a professional crack filler to complete all of that work when we're ready.

Judy has a bunch of volunteers booked and a number of adopt a days as well. Also a new partner in Sandy MacDow owner of Crown Kitchens. She'll prepare a quote for our cabinets as well as make contact with her suppliers for donations of hardware and counter tops.

Call Judy and book yourself in for a fun day on site. Bring a friend. I'll cook some hot dogs.

Talk to you soon.
Greg

2011 Apple Dome Auction

Habitat for Humanity, Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley Project “Building Dreams” Auction

Habitat for Humanity, Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley Project held their second annual auction on June 11th at the Apple Dome in Berwick. To say it was a success would be an understatement. Attendance alone was triple that of last year and money raised was over double. The atmosphere was wonderful with warmth from the generosity and willingness to help, the Valley is so famous for.

The two families which have been selected to purchase the first HFH duplex, located in Wolfville were on hand to help with the work at the auction. Having both speak to the crowd was defining highlight of the evening. It allowed those who may not know about Habitat’s goals to understand what a difference it makes in families lives when they are provided with a “Hand Up not a Hand Out”. Many local businesses and their employees were present, purchasing full tables—Michelin, TD, RBC, Exit Reality, Donna Conrad, Berwick Building Supplies, Rafuse Mechanical, Town of Wolfville, Village of New Minas, J.A.G Trusses, and Kings Mutual. Local businesses open their hearts when we asked for donations and the result was simply amazing, bringing in well over 200 wonderful items to help us raise necessary funds to finish this first Habitat build in the Valley. With the excellent skills of Bobbie Best as auctioneer, the great food of the Berwick Lions, the wine from Jost Winery, and the help of over 12 Habitat willing volunteers, the evening was an incredible achievement of like minded Valley folk coming together to help build better communities.

Habitat for Humanity, NS, Annapolis Valley is continuing their build and invites all to join us. From helping at the build site, to working at one of the fundraising events, we need you! If you would like more information, please email  habitatav@gmail.com and visit our web site at www.habitatav.ca

Working with Habitat is an experience you will not soon forget and there is no doubt the Valley’s people have opened their hearts and come together forging a partnership which hopefully will endure providing the working poor with a safe, decent, affordable place to call home!

Apple Dome Auction 2011

Wow what an amazing auction last night. We all enjoyed great food, and the company of wonderful people. We are so blessed to have a valley full of people who never fail to help others! Not sure of totals yet but it definitely doubled last years effort. The room was filled to capacity with like minded supporters, our sponsors, our two families and great auction items. Thank you to everyone who attended and to all those who gave so generously. Be sure to check out our auction photos. More details will be in newsletter.

We are still building and need your help. We are building on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, but if there is a group which would like to come on an alternate day, we will accommodate . All you need to bring is a smile, and some water-- we supply all the rest. Please come along and help us finish the duplex. Contact Judy Rafuse prior to coming so we know how many to expect. Her email is judy.rafuse@hotmail.com.

Thanks so much,
Belinda Manning
Project Administrator

Mayor of Wolfville Newsletter

With winter now past and the cold snowy days behind us, we are forging ahead with the first Habitat for Humanity build in the Annapolis Valley. The students from two classes of NSCC, lead by their instructors, Mike Fiefield and Brian Rideout did an amazing job all winter, in all types of weather conditions, leaving us with a roof tight build! We cannot thank them enough for their outstanding work and dedication. Recently, Paddies in Wolfville helped us honour them with a small but well deserved celebration of their remarkable achievement and support. One of the families who have been selected to purchase this build was along to say thanks!

The students are not the only locals who have shared their time and skills with us. Teams from RBC, TD and Mud Creek Rotary have all shared in the excitement of being able to say they have been a part of this project through our Adopt a Day fundraiser. We are soon expecting another team from Valley Credit Union to join the ranks and come along for a day which is an experience unlike any other! We are still accepting groups for our Adopt a Day events and if you can form a team of up to ten people and wish to help by raising some funds as well as swinging the hammer please let us know. Information about our Adopt a Day project is available by visiting our web site.

We are accepting all volunteers whether you are a part of an Adopt a Day group or not on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Please contact us prior to coming. We provide everything from the hard hats to the boots and tools and all you need to bring is a good attitude and a smile for the day ahead! No skills are required, we will teach you all you need to know and treat you to a great day!

The build on Maple Avenue will have all electrical work completed this week and we will be working on some inside building tasks such as dry walling, painting, plus some landscaping, building decks and pathways so there is plenty still ahead and we wish to invite all in the community to become a partner in this build.

We are still raising funds for this project and our biggest fundraiser is fast approaching. The ―Building Dreams‖ auction—aptly named by one of our families—is being held on June 11th, 6 pm at the Apple Dome in Berwick. Tickets are still available by contacting us or dropping by the Town of Wolfville office. The auction promises to be an exciting evening with many items up for bid, a roast beef supper and entertainment. Habitat for Humanity provides a ―Hand Up not a Hand Out‖ to the working poor in our community, we invite you to join us and be a part of a worthwhile community project.

More information can be found at www.habitatav.com or by emailing habitat.

av@gmail.com.
Belinda Manning
Project Administrator
Habitat for Humanity, Nova Scotia
Annapolis Valley Project

Hi folks,
We passed our electrical inspection today. This means that we can finally get busy insulating, putting up our vapour barrier and then starting to install sheet rock.
In addition, Our volunteer bulldozer operator arrived today and pushed dirt all over the place . We're ready to start landscaping and will need lots of volunteers to shovel, rake, push wheelbarrows and gather up rocks. Thanks to Nancy Maxner and Jonn Owen for being on site to give direction to the dozer operator.
Our two back decks [upper and lower] are finished. We have the materials on site to begin work on the front deck. Again thanks to Nancy Maxner for getting all materials for our decks donated. We love free stuff!!
Enjoy this beautiful weekend. Look forward to seeing all of you at the auction.

Help Us Build!

May 6
Good Morning!

Are you ready to swing a hammer, drive a nail and help us build? If you are, we have times available for volunteers to come on out and help us build the first two Annapolis Valley Habitat for Humanity homes. We will start taking volunteers on Saturday May 14 and from this time onward we will be requiring volunteers every Wednesday and Saturday. Our first project will be building decks. There will be many different tasks as time goes on and no one will be expected to do anything which requires skilled tradespeople. You will be supervised, provided with all tools, hardhats and safety boots so all you need to do is wear appropriate clothing for working on a build site, and bring a smile, some water or drink. We even have a BBQ set up for lunch. Work days start at 9 AM and go to around 3 or 4 depending on the job. If you would like to help out please contact our volunteer coordinator, Judy Rafuse at judy.rafuse@hotmail.com.  She is the lady who will slot you in. Please give her a week's notice. We will need 8-10 volunteers per day, at least.

So come along and be part of something big, something worthwhile - an experience you will never forget!

All the best,

Belinda Manning
Project Administrator
HFH NS Annapolis Valley Project

May 1 Update

 Hi folks,

Just a quick note regarding our current situation.

We had a great work day on Sat. We're getting near the end of our electrical work. Jason [our electrician] will finish his paid work this Friday and will be giving us all of his time starting next Mon. Hopefully our inspection will take place late next week  allowing us to really get going with sheet rock work.

I'm meeting our landscaper tomorrow to plan for the outdoor work. We have a bulldozer coming in a week or two that will be pushing dirt around and levelling things out as best we can.

I've made a number of presentations lately and I'm optimistic that we'll get some adopt a days as a result. We've also had a few donations come in.

Ticket sales for auction continue to go well. Please do your best to help us with this.
I met a cabinet maker this morning who wants to help us with trim work, a contractor yesterday who wants to help us out and have lined up a fellow who will do our crack filling for us when we're ready. Much to be thankful for.

Greg

An Update from Belinda

With winter now past and the cold snowy days behind us, we are forging ahead with the first Habitat for Humanity build in the Annapolis Valley. The students from two classes of NSCC, lead by their instructors, Mike Fiefield and Brian Rideout did an amazing job all winter, in all types of weather conditions, leaving us with a roof tight build! We cannot thank them enough for their outstanding work and dedication. Recently, Paddies in Wolfville helped us honour them with a small but well deserved celebration of their remarkable achievement and support. One of the families who have been selected to purchase this build was along to say thanks!

The students are not the only locals who have shared their time and skills with us. Teams from RBC, TD and Mud Creek Rotary have all shared in the excitement of being able to say they have been a part of this project through our Adopt a Day fundraiser. We are soon expecting another team from Valley Credit Union to join the ranks and come along for a day which is an experience unlike any other ! We are still accepting groups for our Adopt a Day events and if you can form a team of up to ten people and wish to help by raising some funds as well as swinging the hammer please let us know. Information about our Adopt a Day project is available by visiting our web site.

We are accepting all volunteers whether you are a part of an Adopt a Day group or not on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Please contact us prior to coming. We provide everything from the hard hats to the boots and tools and all you need to bring is a good attitude and a smile for the day ahead! No skills are required, we will teach you all you need to know and treat you to a great day!
The build on Maple Avenue will have all electrical work completed this week and we will be working on some inside building tasks such as dry walling, painting, plus some landscaping, building decks and pathways so there is plenty still ahead and we wish to invite the all in the community to become a partner in this build.

We are still raising funds for this project and our biggest fundraiser is fast approaching. The“ Building Dreams” auction—aptly named by one of our families—is being held on June 11th, 6 pm at the Apple Dome in Berwick. Tickets are still available by contacting us or dropping by the Town of Wolfville Office. The auction promises to be an exciting evening with many items up for bid, a roast beef supper and entertainment.

Habitat for Humanity provides a “ Hand up not a Hand out” to the working poor in our community, we invite you to join us and be a part of a worthwhile community project.

Web site is http://www.habitatav.com/
Contact information habitat.av@gmail.com

Belinda Manning
Project Administrator
Habitat for Humanity, Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley Project

"Mommy . . . can’t I have another piece of bread?"

 

    Helping one another is more important than ever ... and that's what we love doing at Habitat for Humanity!  Join us as we work to ensure affordable housing for everyone!  This article today in the Chronicle Herald shows how difficult it is becoming to make ends meet (add to that the soaring cost of oil).  The report says that many Nova Scotians can’t afford to eat nutritiously with food costing more and more each year and income not matching the rise in costs.  In June of last year, the cost of a basic nutritious diet for a Nova Scotia family of four was $770.65 a month.  Having to choose between food and housing is not a choice we want anyone to have to make.  This is a wonderful time to build community and join together as we help one another here in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.  Join with Habitat for Humanity today!  Our first build is nearing completion.  You can help us take our next steps!

Mud Creek Rotary April 16th

Members of The Mud Creek Rotary Club from Wolfville took time to lend a hand to Habitat for Humanity, Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley Project on Saturday April 16. They were a pleasure to have work with us! Not only did they help with building Habitat's first Valley build, they helped by also raising funds through the Adopt a Day program. Support from groups like Mud Creek Rotary is a great example of how local communities can work together to build a better tomorrow for others and for their community. Habitat thanks all of them for their support and their interest in the project.

TD Bank Adopts FIVE Days!

Teams from TD bank came out for five days, participating in our Adopt a Day, to lend a hand with building the valley's first Habitat for Humanity Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley home. TD employees are able to say they helped build the home for two valley families, brought hope, a team spirit together with a real sense of social responsibility! 
  The Adopt-a-Day program is a great team-building experience for your organization. Also, an excellent way for your group to also help Habitat for Humanity with our goal of building simple, decent affordable housing in partnership with families in need.

Build Update from Greg

Hello everyone,
Much exciting news to share.
We'll start plumbing ,heating, electrical work on Sat and both tradesmen are totally donating their time. Likely a donation equal to 12-$14000.
And ....after donations of $900 from one electrical supply company and $700 from another our total bill for wiring both homes will be $2300.
And....Our students will be putting siding on this next week after another incredibly generous bargain was provided for us from a company in Halifax.
I met Karol the other morning, one of our families and it was wonderful to sense her excitement.
Belinda and I are having great luck getting auction donations. I continue to be amazed by the generosity of our business community.
Ticket sales are also going reasonably well. Please let us know asap if you're planning to attend and if possible pay for your tickets now as our coffers are getting low. Also talk this up with friends please and help us sell tickets.

"Building Dreams" 2nd Annual Auction

"Building Dreams" 2nd Annual Auction 

THE APPLE DOME, BERWICK June 11th, 6 P.M. 

Tickets On Sale Now! 

Includes a Roast Beef supper with Dessert! Entertainment is Jon Duggan. Funds will be used to finish our first build in Wolfville. Tickets $50.00 per person ($30.00 tax receipt) Table of 10 $450.00 ($300.00 tax receipt)

Tickets available at:
Village of New Minas Office, Town Office of Berwick, Town Office Kingston, Town Office Wolfville, Chisholms (Kentville) or email us: info@habitatav.com

Email us to buy your tickets today!

Download Poster HERE

RBC Adopt-A-Day Wolfville Build 2011

Special thanks to RBC for their awesome support Wednesday, March 23rd as they joined with the NSCC construction crew helping insulate and adjust a closet!  You're fantastic!!!  See all the photos HERE

Lion's Club offers their support

Thank you to the Lion's Club for their support for Habitat for Humanity's Annapolis Valley Chapter!

Adopt A Day

 

Over the weekend, The Advertiser published a story updating the progress of the Habitat for Humanity home build in Wolfville. Take a look, and get your group together to be an Adopt-A-Day team!

THANK YOU K-ROCK!!

K-Rock makes a generous donation to Habitat For Humanity, Annapolis Valley

Left to right – front to back
Will MacKay – General Manager 89.3 K-Rock
Belinda - Habitat for Humanity Fundraising Chair
Tony Levy – Creative Director
Scott Baines – Creative Writer
Lisa Smith – Traffic/Accounting
Kate Peardon – The Rock Alarm co host
Tina McAuley – Promotions Director
Colin McInnes – The Rock Alarm host
Dave Chaulk – New Director
Curtis Bray – Program Director

Winter Progress: Slow but steady!!!