In the News 2002

America prides itself on being the country where dreams come true.
For hundreds of years, people have flocked to the United States for the pursuit of freedom, happiness and unlimited opportunities.
And, perhaps the greatest American dream of all is every man’s quest to purchase his own land and home.
In Louisa County, there is one group that is dedicated to making this goal a reality for its citizens—Habitat for Humanity.
On Saturday, June 11, the local chapter of the international organization hosted its second annual Summer in the Garden event to support this worthy endeavor.
Approximately 80 residents attended the festivities, held at Earlyhouse on Yanceyville Road in Louisa.
Guests dined on catered food and enjoyed Celtic and Appalachian-inspired musical selections from Phil Audibert and Alex Caton while learning a little more about Habitat.
In addition, a silent auction was conducted, featuring donated items by local artists, craftsmen, blacksmiths and businesses.
Summer in the Garden, which serves to thank supporters and increase awareness in the community, raised roughly $4,500 for the cause, more than double what was collected last year.
“It was a wonderful evening,” said Beth Ann Boone, steering committee member. “The weather was beautiful, the music was awesome, the food was delicious and the auction was bigger and better than last year.”
Proceeds from the event will go towards the next Habitat project. Currently, the organization is in the process of helping Tracy Shiflett and Theresa Smith’s family complete their home on Valentine Mill Road in Historic Green Springs.
“Habitat is an extraordinary organization that partners with families to make their home-owning dreams come true,” Boone said. “We don’t give people homes, we help them work towards their goals of buying and owning their homes. With support from local citizens who aide in all aspects of the building process from flooring, roofing, drywalling and painting to planting flowers, the organization brings people together for the purpose of sustainable housing.”
For more information, call Louisa County Habitat for Humanity at (540) 967-0486.
Contact Megan Smiley at (540) 967-0368 or smileym@firstva.com.

Summer in the Garden Saturday
The Central Virginian
June 9, 2005

Summer in the Garden, Louisa County Habitat for Humanity’s second annual fund raising event, will take place on Saturday, June 11. Organizers are expecting between 80 and 100 persons to attend.
“This year should be bigger and more successful than last year,” said Beth Ann Boone, steering committee member. “We have many more silent auction items, some from local artisans and others from local businesses.”
The event will once again be held at Earlyhouse, located at 3998 Yanceyville Rd. The social hour begins at 6 p.m., showcasing wines from local vineyards. Dinner, catered by Gatherings of Mineral, will begin at 7 p.m.
The evening’s entertainment will be provided by Phil Audibert and Alex Canton of Crooked Road, who will offer a mix of Celtic and Appalachian music.
Funds raised from the Summer in the Garden will be used to help fund the local Habitat for Humanity’s housing construction projects.
“Habitat is nearing completion on its third [house] in Louisa County, and we look forward to beginning a fourth in the near future,” said Boone. “This fund raiser will contribute to raising monies toward our next project.”
The cost to attend Summer in the Garden is $40 per person, or $75 per couple. Persons who wish to attend should call call Boone to reserve at space. at (540) 967-1848. A limited number of tickets are available by calling (540) 967-1848.

It takes a village to build a habitat home

By Megan Smiley
The Central Virginian
April 7, 2005

For several weeks now, the thundering sounds of hammers driving nails into wood and electric saws chopping blocks for construction has routinely echoed in the wind along a small parcel of Valentine Mill Road in the Historic Green Springs district.
The noise is the loud and triumphant sound of another Louisa County Habitat for Humanity house being built.
Two weeks ago, a group of 10 students from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania spent their spring break constructing the home, along with a crew from AmeriCorp in Charlottesville.
With help from a mid-week crew of retired men, the volunteers labored until they raised the roof, literally.
In addition, the crew installed windows, erected the exterior walls, shingled the roof and did some work on the porch and stoop.
But, there is still much more to be done, according to Estelle Rainsford, volunteer coordinator for the Louisa Habitat chapter.
“We are always looking for volunteers,” said Rainsford. “There is an active Friday crew and we need more people to join it. Unskilled volunteers are welcome, as well. It’s a great chance to learn, have fun and work alongside other volunteers and the partner family.”
This particular house is being built for Tracy Shiflett and Theresa Smith and their three children—Owen, Elijah and Whitney.
The 3.65 acres of land was donated to the family by Historic Green Springs Inc., and the wooden 1,000-square-foot one-story, three bedroom house will feature some exterior architectural detailing to compliment the surrounding homes in the neighborhood.
According to Rainsford, the home should be completed by the end of June. But, she added, that depends on the number of volunteers they have helping.
The majority of the work gets done on the weekends, she added.
Anyone who wants to lend a helping hand should call Rainsford at (434) 996-9735.

Home | Who We Are | What We Do | Getting Involved | Donors Page

FAQs | Links