St. Luke's United Methodist Church in partnership with
West Orange Habitat for Humanity

House Build 2009/2010 Information

Location of Property: 519 Bethune Ave, Winter Garden, Florida

Click Here for Maps & Directions

Muslims, Christians Unite to Put Roof Over Family's Head
from Central Floriday News 13

SIGN UP You may sign up a month in advance the following ways:

• On the website by clicking the View link under Volunteer Opportunities on the left side of this page.
• Contacting the Volunteer Coordinator, Renee Wolfe at reneeh4hvols@worldnet.att.net

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• If you sign up and need to cancel, please inform Renee Wolfe ASAP reneeh4hvols@worldnet.att.net
• If it is raining on a work day, please check your email at 7:00 a.m. for instructions.
• If a workday needs to be cancelled due to inspection or sub-contractor delays, you will be called or emailed.
• Children under 16 may not be on the construction site due to insurance issues.

WORK DAYS:

• Hours: Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. sharp to 3:00 p.m.
• Clothing: Wear closed-toed shoes and comfortable, modest clothes.
• Coffee & Snacks as well as lunch will be provided.
• Instruction briefing will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m., if you arrive later, please await instruction at the check-in station.
• We work every Saturday with a break for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years weekends, so please sign up for any days you have available.

DONATIONS:

• We want to encourage you to help us find sub-contractors willing to donate their labor. This will reduce the mortgage amount for the new homeowner!
• We also welcome donations of NEW materials and supplies such as roofing material (decking, shingles), HardiPlank™ Siding, drywall, light fixtures, kitchen and bath cabinets, and any other building supplies that fit the architect's requirements.

CONTACTS:

• Donation Questions: Ray and Betty Wilson at (407) 297-1876 or raynbetty@bellsouth.net
• Lunch Volunteers: Ruth Akoth Juma at ruthakoth@hotmail.com
• Construction Volunteer Questions: Renee Wolfe at reneeh4hvols@worldnett.att.net or (407) 448-1009.

MEET THE FUTURE HOMEOWNER

Mercedes Andrews and Children (from left to right): Victor, 13, Shawon, 17, Zachariah, 5, Andre, 15

Mercedes Andrews was born in Jacksonville and raised in the small town of Seville, Florida. She attended Taylor High School and moved to the Orlando area in 1990. She has been working as a nurse's aide and her hope and dream is to attend school and become a nurse as she continues to raise her children for success.

HOW HABITAT WORKS:

Habitat is NOT a charity for participants. The families:

• are selected by West Orange Habitat for Humanity
• must qualify for their mortgage through showing adequate income and good credit history
• must perform 500 hours of sweat equity working on their home or other Habitat homes prior to closing

West Orange Habitat for Humanity also:

• Provides us with the building lot, cleared and ready for construction.
• Holds a 20 year, zero interest mortgage for each homeowner.
• Provides partial funding for materials.

St. Luke's United Methodist Church sponsors a home by:

• Donating more than half of necessary funding for materials and sub-contractors.
• Working with the St. Luke's Habitat for Humanity Ministry Team to plan all phases of construction.
• Ministry team purchases materials; coordinate sub-contractors; arrange for multiple inspections; organize, train and oversee volunteers to build the house; feed, hydrate, pray and support those workers; keep the congregation informed about the progress; and nurture the family along the way.
• Involving all members and friends of St. Luke’s who want to donate their time and resources to Habitat for Humanity.

Money from sponsors like us and from the community, donated sub-contractor labor, donated building supplies-along with the mortgage payments of the Habitat homeowners enable WOHFH to purchase land and materials for new homeowners. Since most of the labor is donated, the mortgage amount is below market value. This and the fact that no down payment is required, makes Habitat homes affordable for people who earn their living and manage their assets, but otherwise would not be able to become homeowners.

Habitat International Home Page

April 2010 - House Dedication

February 2010 - Siding and Painting

December 2009 - Crane Setting Roof Framing

November 2009 - Wall Raising

November 2009 - Setting the Foundation

October 2009 - Prepping the Land

September 12, 2009 - Ground Breaking

Interested in Helping?

For Information on being part of the Habitat Ministry Team
and donating materials or labor, please contact:

Renee Wolfe
Phone: (407) 448-1009
Email: reneeh4hvols@worldnet.att.net