Inside Habitat for Humanity

Providing those in need with affordable housing.
There are 6 articles written on this subject. The most recent 10 are listed here:

Habitat Board Building New Plan

The Capitol Steps Operation Home Delivery 1994 Chateau Latour Loudoun Habitat Fundraiser Habitat Dedicates New Home

You will find a complete Index of Articles by Category and by Month in the Archives.

November 7, 2005

The Loudoun Habitat for Humanity presents an evening of great entertainment and political fun with The Capitol Steps. The Steps are a political mainstay in the Washington Region with their musical political satire. What better way to support the local Habitat Affiliate and get an evening of entertainment in return.

The tickets are a modest $35 each and the event is November 25th at the Lansdowne Resort just east of Leesburg, VA starting at 8:00 pm. Make reservations for dinner at Lansdowne then enjoy the political festivities. Bring your Thanksgiving guests.

No doubt the Steps have a lot of current material. I always enjoy the satire focused on Ross Perot, my boss for many years and Ex-Presidential candidate. Many others I am sure: W, DC, DR, CR, BC, HC and BC's Vice President AG to name a few.

If you have never experienced The Capitol Steps, you don't know what you are missing. Order tickets at www.loudounhabitat.org or call 540-751-2244. Download the complete brochure here.

The Loudoun Habitat for Humanity's mission is to "Build affordable homes for deserving families."

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October 2, 2005

Habitat for Humanity launches Operation Home Delivery to help rebuild homes and lives of families left homeless by hurricane Katrina.

Thank you for caring about Habitat for Humanity’s work of helping families left homeless by Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes and their lives. We invite you to design a personal home page to rally the support of your friends and family for this vital effort. Operation Home Delivery will be one of the largest building projects Habitat for Humanity has ever undertaken. Habitat's great capacity and vast partner network will aid in our response to the enormous affordable housing demand created by Katrina's devastation. But we still must raise the resources for this unprecedented operation. That’s why we need all the helping hands we can find.

A great way to contribute by helping raise funds for this essential relief effort. Go to Operation Home Delivery> for more information.

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June 26, 2005

Pam and I had the privilege of attending "Rockin' in the Barn" at Bud Green's farm last night. It was a fund raising event for the Loudoun Habitat for Humanity. We combined good food, entertainment, a silent auction and live auction.


Many exquisite items were auctioned including a case of the 1994 Grand Vin of Chateau Latour. Several bottles were purchased in the $170 range, a bargain for this highly rated Bordeaux from the highly acclaimed Pauillac region of France. Latour is a consistent winner in this class of fine wines and probably deserves its price point.

I happened to have a couple of bottles and with grilled New York steaks tonight decided to try one. Without a doubt, it is superb! It is like drinking silk; smooth, balanced, just enough fruit without being over bearing and the typical French terrior! Can you imagine combining the great wine taste pallets and add rocky soil? Well, you can. This is what makes Grand Vin French wines so intriguing.

Parker rated this wine 94 on a scale of 100 and predicts it will cellar for at least 30-40 years. I'll try my other bottle in about five years. I can't wait!

Viniously Yours,
The Wine Snob

You can learn more about Latour here.

1994 Latour

The weather conditions

A rainy and very mild winter was followed by a very warm and dry month of March which induced an early budding (15 March for the Merlot). On 16 April, a severe frost damaged neighbouring vineyards. A very hot end of April, a mild and damp month of May brought about an early flowering (10 days earlier than normal). June and July were very warm with some stormy showers, ideal conditions for the evolution of the grapes. The traditional summer pruning took place in the second half of July. At the end of August the state of the grapes was fantastic and an exceptional vintage was expected. Unfortunately, from 7 September, a rainy and cold weather settled in, delaying ripening.

Harvest began on 13 September and lasted until the 29th, frequently interrupted by storm showers. But quite amazingly the dilution effect on the grapes was very limited, and thanks to a perfect summer, the vintage was 'saved'.

Vintage quality and tasting comments

The wines are showing a strong personnality : dark ruby colours, aromas of liquorice, orange peel and plum. They improved remarkably in barrels taking body and fatness. In the mouth they are very rich, and despite the very savoury and spicy tannins, they remain rich and very well-balanced. The Grand Vin, in particular, shows an impressive concentration and length. (tasting : May 2000)

Quality: Very good year

The moment for optimal drinking and best way of serving

Grand Vin: A bottle to lay down at least till 2007. Optimum around 2010-2015.

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May 10, 2005

Barn Dance - Fundraiser for Habitat

On Saturday evening, June 25th from 7pm to midnight, Caroline and Bud Green will be hosting a major fundraiser for Loudoun Habitat for Humanity at their barn in Hamilton, VA. It will be by INVITATION ONLY. This event promises to be a fun-filled evening: Enjoy a terrific meal, snacks and drinks throughout the evening, dance to a live band, bid on silent auction items, and also bid on items during a live auction. All this for only $100 donation per couple.

We need community support to benefit this worthwhile cause:

• Money: two $2,500 Grand Sponsorships are available and several at the $1,000 level. Recognition info to follow.


• Auction Donations: gift donations which will be auctioned off during the evening.


• Volunteers: here's your chance to get involved; we need volunteers to help with various assignments leading up to the event. We promise it will be fun!

This is your chance to give back to the community that gives so much to us. Please contact Caroline Green at (540) 338-5707 or via email at farmerg00@verizon.net.

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April 18, 2005

On Sunday, April 17, 2005 Loudoun Habitat for Humanity dedicated it's newest home at 35231 Pennycress Lane, Middleburg, Virginia. This home now belongs to Chitonda Washington. Nearly 100 local guests attended the celebration including several Habitat board members, volunteers, sponsors and family and friends of Ms. Washinton. Pete Kanis, President of Loudoun Habitat served as the master of ceremonies. Guest speakers included Reverand Herman Nelson, Shilo Baptist Church; Bud Green, Habitat Construction Committee Chairman; Pamela McGraw (and Tony), Family Selection Committee Chairwomen; Stephanie Byers, Family Support Committee Chairwomen; Kim Hart, Windy Hill Foundation; and Darcy Justen, Interior design.

This was a great event - joyess, touching and appreciated by all. Affordable housing continues to be a problem in Loudoun County and Habitat is doing its part to find deserving individuals to provide the "Home of Dreams" at below market costs and attractive financing. This is real home ownership with payment obligations; not a give away!

Here is a gallery of photos of the event. Note: click thumbnails on gallery page to view larger image.

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April 14, 2005

The Loudoun Habitat for Humanity board is developing the plan that will guide the organization for several years to come. This is an all-volunteer organization that secures property and funding to build houses for those in need through grants and donations. These are not giveaways! Recipients must devote time and energy assisting in home construction and then purchase the home at an affordable price and financing rates. It is real home ownership! And, in Loudoun County where affordable home ownership is rapidly disappearing, Habitat's service is growing more important.

Truly building a dream...

Pictured left to right: Pete Kanis, President; Bill Fox, Treasurer; Bud Green, Vice President; Tony McGraw, Planning; Pamela McGraw, Family Selection; Jeanette Newton, Secretary. Not shown: Dick Davis, Tony Hudimac and Debi McGhee.

Highlights of the plan...

Vision:
To eliminate sub-standard housing in Loudoun County and to provide a decent home in a decent community for God’s people in need.

Mission:
Enhance the quality of life of citizens in need by

raising community consciousness and support of the need for affordable housing,

promoting and nurturing partner families to self sufficiency and home ownership without discrimination and

forming partnerships with donors, suppliers, contractors and faith based organizations providing needed resources

resulting in the continuous growth of affordable homes available to partner families.

Critical Success Factors:

Secure, retain and expand resources,

Develop and sustain sound internal operating structures and processes,

Build and maintain critical community relationships, and

Continuously research and develop new ways to drive future growth.

It has been a privilege to work with this fine group of dedicated people to help chart the course for the future. Anyone interested in learning more about Loudoun Habitat for Humanity or would like to explore volunteer opportunities can call 703-777-7884.

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