Release No. 04082005

Date: April 8, 2005                                                                     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Romey Brooks, Public Relations
             Dee Danmeyer, Executive Director
             Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, MD
             4 East Church Street
             Frederick, MD 21701

Phone: 301/846-0430 (Brooks) or 301/698-2449 (Habitat)
Fax: 301/846-9991 (Brooks) or 301/698-1697 (Habitat)
Email: romey.brooks@adelphia.net or director@frederickhabitat.org

Fundraising for New Habitat Home on Track

Bob Fenimore, treasurer for the Habitat project in Emmitsburg, reported at the April 5 meeting that fundraising for the new home was well on track. “To date we have received a bit over $61,000 in cash and anticipated donations and approximately $20,000 worth of pledges for donated materials and services. Adding the $37,000 value of the lot provided by Habitat, that brings the total to $118,000,” he stated. “The cash donations have allowed us to pay $27,393 for fees and permits and other pre-construction costs and foundation work totaling $3,197,” he continued.

The total project costs are estimated to be $140,000. The lot development price, money raised and pledges to date represent 84% of the total costs. “I am confident we will reach our goal as more and more people see the new home rise out of the ground and get involved,” Fenimore said. “Based on our successes to date, we expect that the local United Methodist community will continue its incredible support and help provide the balance,” he added.

For the first time students from Mt. St. Mary’s University and Gettysburg College will participate in the project through special fundraising activities at both schools or through actual site work. On April 6 Mt. St. Mary’s held a HabiFest fund-raiser to benefit the project. In addition various other fundraising activities will occur in the next few months to benefit the project.

Groundbreaking took place on February 19 and excavation and foundation pouring occurred in late March. “I hope to frame the home before the latter part of April with a late summer completion date the goal,” said Tim Spickler, construction coordinator. “This earlier-than-usual construction schedule will allow the college students to actively take part during their spring semester,” he added. Traditionally Habitat has built during the summer when the local college students have left campus.

The new home will be the 23rd Habitat will have built in Frederick County since 1995. Habitat plans to build others as funding and land purchases allow. Although the organization has just completed its annual fundraising drive, donors can make contributions anytime by mail or through the local affiliate’s website, www.frederickhabitat.org.

Habitat recently bought a lot in Brunswick and hopes to buy another in Frederick. In addition, the organization owns a second lot in Emmitsburg. However, building plans for these three lots are indefinite at this time, according to Executive Director Dee Danmeyer.

The non-profit is constantly in search of lots which can be donated or acquired at less-than market value, thus allowing the seller to take a tax credit for the donation or reduced price.

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