National League Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun Gifted His Bonus Money to Habitat Following His Experience as a House Leader at 2007 JCWP

Last fall when thousands of volunteers joined President Jimmy Carter & Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to build 100 homes thoughout the community, one volunteer was significantly moved.



Ryan Braun was an Honorary House Leader during the JCWP and for those of you who don't know the name, Braun plays for the Milwaukee Brewers and was voted National League Rookie of the Year last year in 2007!



When Braun built with us last fall, he pledged he'd donate his Rookie of the Year bonus money to Habitat so we could further our mission and this week he did just that. You can read the official press release here.



We just wanted to say to Ryan, on behalf of all our current and future partner families, THANK YOU!

More Hometown Praise for a JCWP Volunteer

3000 volunteers came to Los Angeles last fall to build with us and many are receiving praise and exposure in their hometowns, we love it!

Meet Chuck Mano in Racine's Journal Times:

People You Should Know: Chuck Mano
Saturday, January 5, 2008 10:20 PM CST

Name: Chuck Mano
Age: 38
Personal/family: Married to Kim for 12 years.
Three children: Michaela 10, Zachary 8, Samantha 4
Hobbies/interests: Camping, hunting, ATV riding

Chuck Mano Occupation: Fence contractorVolunteer service: Local Chapter of the American Fence Association, Haban Hitting Center, Habitat for Humanity. I also recently donated time and a kennel for Bones, our Mount Pleasant K-9 unit. Anyone who truly needs help I will go out of my way to assist. Every year I donate to Charlie French’s neighborhood watchprogram. Kids from other states join their churches and come to Racine to rehab homes.

Recent accomplishment: Participated in the 2007 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Los Angeles. Volunteers from all over the world helped Habitat for Humanity build homes for the needy in Los Angeles.

Read More>>

A Very Special Volunteer - Read About JR Williams in his Hometown Newspaper

THE LIFE A HOUSE BUILT

JR Williams' escape from poverty started 19 years ago in a Habitat home
The life a house built JR Williams' escape from poverty started 19 years ago in a Habitat home
By Elizabeth Leland

JR Williams looked like just another volunteer taking time from his job at a brokerage firm to help build a Habitat for Humanity house.

He joined the Jimmy Carter Work Project in Los Angeles six weeks ago for many of the same humanitarian reasons as other volunteers, but Williams had one more reason: He once lived in a Habitat house.

READ THE WHOLE STORY

Today a Publicist, Tomorrow a Builder!

This was my first Jimmy Carter Work Project, and I can hardly believe it’s already over. What a week!

Although my work at JCWP was focused on external outreach about the project to media and the community, being immersed in the positive nature and attitudes of the nearly 2,200 volunteers was an experience I will never forget. And, I can’t wait to go pick up a hammer and a paint brush at a Habitat build in the future.

Ever the publicist, I cannot help but mention some of the highlights from the week on the media side:
o CNN “American Morning”
o Reuters wire story
o NPR story (people are still talking about this one!)
o Los Angeles Times story with photographs
o Broadcast coverage by every local station in Los Angeles throughout the week, sometimes multiple stories
o Stories in communities newspapers from the Daily Breeze to the Wave
o AP wire pick-up of eight photos
o Live remote newscasts by KCAL-TV and KCBS-TV in Los Angeles
o An unbelievably successful satellite media tour
o And, anticipated coverage by many more newspapers

Thank you to all the families, volunteers and Habitat for Humanity employees for putting together an amazing event that made a very positive impact on the community in Los Angeles and made for a fabulous way to highlight the organization.

Pink Tool Belts

A lot of you expressed interest in purchasing those cute pink Tuff Chix Tool Belts by Paige Hemmis that many of the gals were sporting during the JCWP, so here's a link to purchase:

BUY NOW

Hope you put it to good use!

Paige Hemmis Shares Her Personal Experience from JCWP 2007

What an amazing experience! This year I was fortunate enough to be the emcee of opening ceremonies for Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007. What an honor and privilege to be on stage with such talented people! I would love to share with you my experience, and perhaps it is best told with the company that I kept on stage on that beautiful Sunday night.

First of all, I met our first guest of the evening, Grammy Award-winning artist and Habitat volunteer, Ricky Martin. I didn’t know much about this man, except for the fact that I new he could compose, sing, dance and perform. What I didn’t realize was that he was so passionate about his charities, and is such a good public speaker! I was blown away by the heart-felt sentiment he had for Habitat and this program. He talked about how giving was a form of love – and it really is.

Second, I met Mr. Steve Sidwell, and the Hollywood Film Chorale Special Effects Choir. Steve and his crew performed for the Academy Awards this past year, and they performed for all of us that night. This choir astounded me! They took footage of building and put their special effect sounds to it. What amazed me is how real it sounded! I was surrounded by true talent up there on stage, and they even made me participate towards the end. I now am an official “beat-boxer”, if that is such a term.

Each person who took the stage was just as amazing as the next! Erin Rank, the head of the Greater Los Angeles Affiliate, whom I’ve worked with several times in the past, amazes me every time I hear her speak. Here is a woman who has dedicated her life to helping others, and always finds time to go out of her way and be kind to everyone. She made sure that everyone who helped was properly thanked…but I believe that we should all be thanking her for all the incredible work she has done, and continues to do every single day.

Mr. Kevin Kessinger from Citi came to the stage to talk about the involvement of one of Habitat’s biggest sponsors. It is so touching to see that large companies like Citi have hearts as big as this! And he represented so many great men and women that have come together to help this great event.

Then I had the opportunity to introduce the President and CEO of Habitat International, Mr. Jonathan Reckford. He could possibly be the best representation of giving! What a kind a gentle man, with a tremendous responsibility. As I meet more and more people who are behind this great charity, it makes me realize that I am surrounded by truly great individuals who are using their God-given talents to help others.

And talk about being surrounded by great individuals! The people who make this city of Los Angeles what it is today are so inspiring and so incredible. First, there is the true “tuff chix”, Councillwoman Janice Hahn. She is one of my heroes – a true example of a strong woman who is so caring, so kind, and so capable of taking care of all of us! She was out working at the job site in her pink toolbelt, gloves and hard hat! She is so awesome. Then, there is the great man, Mayor Villairagosa. You can tell by his spirit and his touching words that he loves this great town, and will do everything he can to help its people.

The final honor of the night? Perhaps one of the great honors of my lifetime – being hugged by the great man, former US President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, President Jimmy Carter, right there on stage! He has done so much in his lifetime. He is truly a man that we can all look up to and hope to emulate. I believe he is the best humanitarian of our time. And his wife Rosalynn right there beside him that night, as she has been for so many years. An honest example of true love, dedication, and devotion – plus she is such a great strong women in her own right!

For me, this night was a dream come true. To call it an “honor” does not do it justice! I was filled with honor and love, humbly sharing the stage with so many great people. I believe it was a blessing, and this blessing will leave a wonderful memory for the rest of my life.

Hey Bill!

If you did not meet Vermont Village house leader 'Hey Bill' this past week then you totally missed out!

Bill has been volunteering with Habitat since 1984 and was at the very first JCWP in New York in 1984. He drove from DC to cut boilers in the basement and he and his friend Jim became known as the "Boiler Boys." The only JCWPs Bill ever missed was The Phillipines & India.

It's going really well! I think this is the most media attention we've ever had and going from 42 people that first year to volunteers worldwide is just mind-boggling!"

Bill adds that the plus side to this whole thing is that now he has 25 families!

"At Christmas I look up at the sky and thank God for the opportunity to put a roof over their heads."

"Hey Bill" you're awesome!

(He spoke quickly with us and went back to work!)

JCWP A Reunion with Old Friends

Susie Graber of Phoenix, AZ is proudly wearing her '95 JCWP T-shirt today as she guards the tool pods here at the Vermont Village build site. Susie and her husband have been attending JCWPs since 1988 and have traveled to the Phillipines, Nova Scotia, and Budapest.

Susie proudly mentions that her husband has been the house leader with Jimmy Carter on four different JCWPs. Lasting friendships come again during our conversation and Susie tells us about a couple from New Jersey whom they met years ago on a JCWP and whom they now travel with each year, sometimes in their RV. She has made so many friends over the years that she says the JCWP always feels like a reunion.

"It's is a very rewarding experience to help others. The lord has blessed us so much and we figure we can give back a week or two each year. It's worth it."

If you are not already friends with Susis Graber, you can meet her next May in the Gulf for the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2008!

Safety First

Pat Shea is on our Safety Crew here at Vermont Village and he says this week we've earned a good B+. Not bad.

"Any time you have as many people walk off the job site as you had walk on, it's a good day!"

So far, he says there have just been a few scratches and abrasions to report and everyone is in good spirits.

"Everyone here is so eager to do a good job and they are very concerned about safety. The Block Captains are working very hard to keep our volunteers safe."

Pat has been working with Habitat for 6 months and he's been on site all week for JCWP. He says he's definitely be back!

"One of the things that impresses me most is talking to people who've traveled from all over the country like Dallas and Vermont and the poeple from other countries as well. I feel like the new kid on the block because so many people have been at this for years and years."

Not Just a Pretty Face

Karl Champley is familiar face to anyone who watches DIY Network, but to all of us he's an enthusiastic volunteer who's changing the life of Donna Russell (read her story posted 10/31.)

"I've done a number of Habitat projects over the last five years and the best thing about it is the feeling you get. You take away so much more than you put in."

Karl's first Habitat build included a 1000 home blitz in North Carolina, after that experience, Donna's home has to be a piece of cake!

"This A Brush With Kindness program is such a great thing! I live here in L.A. and this is my first Habitat buid here. Donna working full time and she has very little money for the upkeep of her home, she's faced city fines and needs all the help she can get to keep this house safe. I truly believe that smaller projects can have the largest impact."

Karl is leading a team of volunteers who have been primering and painting, replacing broken and non-existant windows, installed a back door that had been missing for years, and they are even attempting to get a furnace working that's been broken for 15 years! We have no doubt they'll be successful.

"Time is the most expensive thing we have and if you can donate that time to be part of a Habitat build you will walk away with so much more. If it's the only thing you do in your life, you'll grow old with a smile on your face."

A Kid at Heart

Rosemary Le is an active volunteer from Home Depot, one of our wonderful JCWP sponsors, who is having a very productive day. She was working so hard that it took several attempts to approach her.

"I'm having so much fun! Today I am installing siding, I learned how to use the power scissors, a nail gun and the saw!"

As excited Rosemary is about power tools, she's way more excited about the playground she's been coordinating for the children of this neighborhood with Home Depot partner Kaboom.




"Oh I can't wait for it! On December 6 we'll be out here for a six-hour event to construct their playground! People from our stores will be volunteering as well as the kids in this neighborhood who are over 13. The coolest part is that a month ago we had a 'design day' where all the kids helped us design their playground. We are trying our best to incorporate their suggestions into the final design."

Rosemary was building on this day with the Gonzalez family who happen to have 6 kids - which we're positive will love the playground!

After a Bumpy Beginning He's a Habitat Believer!

We had the pleasure of meeting Journeyman/Electrian Walter Berten at the Vermont Village site on Halloween who was out working with IBEW. IBEW is a sponsor of the 2007 JCWP and they are giving us power (well with the help of the DWP.)

"It's my first JCWP and my first Habitat build and it's awesome!"

Walter admits that on his first visit to the job site about a few months ago, he had his concerns. There were some logistics issues but he's happy to say they were all worked out before this week's event.

"It's an honor and a privelidge to be here. I love the feeling of community and the giving spirit.And the families, what can I say, we are one big world family."

Walter lives in Panorama City, CA and he tells us he'll be back..."God willing, I'll be here!"

Bo Knows Habitat

Bo Miller of DOW shares his personal experience...

This is my second Jimmy Carter Work Project, my first being last year at Lonlavala, India. India was an inspiring experience, an extraordinary experience and a motivating experience. While vastly different in many ways there is an underlying similarity to this year's build- "people helping deserving people with a hand up, not a hand out." And I am even more inspired this year, as the Greater LA Habitat build is featuring a number of "green" initiatives into the project, and Dow technology and products, particularly in energy efficient materials such as Weathermate house wrap and Styrofoam brand insulation readily fit into this theme. So in addition to financial support, product donation and the volunteerism of Dow people there will be a lasting contribution to the homeowners of reduced utility bills and an improved environmental footprint of their homes.

On a personal level- we had the opportunity to host our home owner, Barbara Wallace at dinner the other evening with her children, it was a great opportunity to get to know them better and learn of their hopes and aspirations. Seeing her at the job site this week- climbing scaffolding, painting and fully participating with pride in the construction of her home confirmed the fundamental need and benefit of what Habitat for Humanity and all of its volunteers provide individuals and communities worldwide. In the midst of all the activity, while Barbara was taking a much deserved rest break and I asked her how she was doing- she looked at all the people scurrying about and said simply "how could I be better?" Exchanges like these make habitat for humanity real for me.

“I wish I could say something clever, but I’m too tired!”

While walking by our friend and long-time volunteer, Cindy Hoag of Beach Cities Friends (pictured 3rd from left), she looked at us and said exhaustedly, “I’d rather be painting.”

Cindy is very active with Habitat of Greater L.A. and a familiar face on the build sites. Cindy and her friends started Beach Cities Friends in the South Bay area of Los Angeles as a way to raise money and awareness in the community. BCF began with simple get-togethers with friends and now boasts several annual events that raise tens of thousands. Since 2000 they have organized incredible fundraiser throughout the area and during this year’s JCWP they are proud to be sponsoring the homes the Torres and Suarez families.

Today Cindy is installing siding to a home, which she says can be very intimidating, adding that yesterday they had to redo a certain area 3 times. As proud as she is to have learned how to load and operate a nail gun, she says she’s most proud of the former BCF members who’ve gone on to become board members for Habitat GLA, including current board chairman David E. Lin and new board member John Smet.

“This is my first JCWP and I am meeting the neatest people from all over the world. I am working with some great guys from Georgia, who keep calling ma’am, which makes me feel kind of old, but they’re sweet. I can definitely have a second career as a painter, drywaller or sliding installer, that’s for sure!”

We Met the Blog Builders!

We are not the only ones sharing stories daily, there are some awesome folks from Habitat for Humanity International blogging too! Get all the stories here:
http://www.habitat.org/jcwp/2007/blog/blog_intro.aspx

This Habitat Volunteer has been to Every JCWP

John Fantom is from Chicago where he has been volunteering for Habitat and supporting his local affiliate since ’99 but he got his first taste back in ’94 during a JCWP in Kentucky. He was also instrumental in developing a youth program that worked with Habitat twice a year and it’s still going strong.

John has been to EVERY JCWP since 1994! Amazing! He admits it seems a bit selfish because he always leaves feeling so good! “Nothing compares to this experience. I love meeting people who want to help their families so much that they are willing to work really hard to build their home – they just need a little boost.”

Dow has supported Habitat for many years, both International and locally, with teams of volunteers, financial donations, products and they even bring their customers out to volunteer. The company has participated in all 24 JCWP’s and it doesn’t seem likely they’ll ever stop!

Do-it-yourselfer; Turned Volunteer

Rosalie Gap is a local from Lakewood, California and she has been volunteering since 2000. Rosalie first volunteered for Habitat during a Global Village in New Zealand. She’s always been a do-it-herselfer so she decided to look into opportunities to help build with Habitat and the first one she found was New Zealand. As a volunteer, Rosalie has installed drywall, insulation, countertops and painted.

She says her reason for volunteering is simply boredom. She had skills and a lot of time on her hands! One thing we have heard throughout the week is ‘lasting friendships’ – Rosalie is no exception. She says her fondest memory is of two young people who met on the New Zealand build – they were from Maine and Fresno – they dated and when they decided to marry, the entire New Zealand team of volunteers received an invitation to the wedding!

The biggest highlight for Rosalie this year was running into an old friend named Danny whom she met on a build in Northern Ireland in 2004.

This year, Rosalie is proud to have been selected as a mentor for a partner family.

17 years ago, The Berry's caught Habititis

Cindy and Don Berry are members of the largest church in San Diego, which organized support for the JCWP in 1990 to provide food and volunteers for the 2 build sites – Tijuana, Mexico and Encanto (East San Diego.)

Well, they caught the bug! They thought they’d wait till retirement to work with Habitat but they were not willing to wait and jumped at the next opportunity to volunteer. They speak about the 2 person tents and dusty bus rides from Tijuana to Encanto with smiles and laughter. Again we hear all about the lasting friendships of JCWP. One such

friendship is with the Schultz’s standing nearby today. The Berry’s are hear assisting with logistics, but they have served so many roles in years past including crew leaders and house leaders.

The Berry’s don’t wait to volunteer once a year with the Carters, they support their local affiliate in San Diego where Cindy helps with family selection.

“We love the friendship,” says Cindy, “we came here this week and are seeing old friends whom we haven’t seen since a build five years ago. It’s also about the diversity. I love to meet people from all walks of life.

“The homeowners are the best,” adds Don. “You can be the toughest guy on the job site and you’ll still cry when they hand them the keys.” (Side note: Don choked up while giving us this quote – go Don!)

Meet A Local Favorite: Pedro Pat!

Pedro Pat, as she is affectionately known to us all, is one of the most enthusiastic volunteers in San Pedro (and maybe in all of L.A.)

She began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity during a trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2000. It was to be like any of her annual trips abroad, but she was looking for something different and heard about a Global Village build. She never thought for a minute she'd get in, but when she contacted the orgnaizers a cancellation had just occured so she leaped at the chance to go! It was literally a month or two out.

Pat had always supported HFH as a donor, but this was her first build. It changed her and what was scheduled for her 'retirement' was now a passion she had to embrace locally. Once she returned home, she saw a notice in the local paper for a blitz build in nearby Wilmington and signed up. She became registration Chairman, and she kept going from there. Since then Pedro Pat can be found at most our build events and she participates in all areas for HFH including Building, Administration, Special Events, Family Services, Community Relations and even P.R!

This week is Pat's first JCWP and we are so glad to have her!!! San Pedro is lucky to have such a shining example of humanity right in their own back yard.

She has "Habitat Fever"

Sonia Street met President Carter in 1992, when he helped her build her home in Baltimore.

During this morning’s press conference with President Carter, a woman leaned over said, with a huge smile on her face, “I built with him 15 years ago on my house.” Sonia built her home with the Carters during a blitz in 1992 in Baltimore. At the time her daughters were 9 and 7 (twins) and Sonia says the girls’ grades soared and their family became even closer. When the women moved into their new 3 bedroom home, Sonia “gave” it to her daughters, choosing to sleep on the couch so that all three would have their own bedroom.

Her daughters are now 25 & 23, the oldest is an entrepreneur, who owns a candy and sweets shop and the two youngest went on to become correctional officers. Sonia has continued to build with Habitat for Humanity locally and has traveled with the JCWP to Seoul, Korea, Michigan and Georgia. She says, “Habitat is a good thing. If you ever have a chance to get involved, come get the Habitat Fever!” Sonia still has a dream to own her own diner one day, which she says is a work in progress. This week Sonia is working hard to make sure all our volunteers are fed and hydrated as a food station volunteer.

A side note, it turns out that we were not the only ones impressed by Sonia, several volunteers have been talking about how great she is and suggesting we meet her all day.