Congratulations
to Ms. Habitat 2011!
On
Saturday, October 15, more than 200 people gathered at the
Rogalski Center for the sixth annual Mr./Ms. Habitat competition.
Throughout the cocktail reception, guests feasted on hors
d'oeuvres and an assortment of delicious desserts. The competition
began with the introduction of the panel of esteemed judges:
Kathy Anderson, St. Ambrose University; Vickie Clark, Ducky's
Lagoon; Jerod Engler, Bush Construction Company; Chad Manternach,
Wells Fargo; and Donna Young, Isabel Bloom.
This year's
brave contestants were: Kay Luna, Quad City Times; Susan
Marty, St. Paul Lutheran Church; Rich Oswald, Iowa American
Water; and Joe Tedesco, SAIC. The contestants competed in
evening wear, interview, construction wear, and talent competitions.
After contestants put on a wonderful, entertaining show
for the audience, St. Paul Lutheran Church's Susan Marty
was crowned Ms. Habitat 2011.
The event,
made possible by Presenting Sponsor Bush Construction and
Gold Hammer Sponsors Iowa American Water and Jack Bryant
at Wells Fargo Advisors, raised over $20,000 for Habitat
for Humanity Quad Cities. Since its inception in 1993, Habitat
has made homeownership possible for 72 partner families.
To
see more pictures from the evening, please click here.
Habitat
Breaks Ground on House #75
We had plenty to celebrate on Saturday, October 1. Under
a clear blue sky, a large crowd of Habitat volunteers, donors,
and supporters formed at 824 Charlotte in Davenport to celebrate
several important Habitat milestones.
Habitat for Humanity International was preparing to celebrate
the dedication of the 500,000th Habitat house, which was
constructed in Kenya. In Iowa, the day was known as Habitat
Day in acknowledgement of the 1,000th Habitat home built
in Iowa. The 1,000th home was built in Knoxville, Iowa by
Habitat for Humanity of Marion County.
In Davenport, Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities celebrated
the ground breaking of our affiliate's 75th 
house.
The house, located at 824 Charlotte in Davenport, will soon
be home to the Habitat Partner Family #75 Kangni and Loetitia
Foli and son John with Father Levitt from Christ the King
Church
Kangni and Loetitia Foli partner family. The home's construction
is being sponsored by Wells Fargo, Titan Machinery, the
Scott County Housing Council, and City of Davenport HOME
Funds.
In honor of the acheivements both locally and globally,
Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities hosted a special build
day on house #75. The men's and women's basketball teams
from St. Ambrose University and the women's basketball team
from Augustana College traded their high tops for hard hats.
Habitat
Breaks Ground on House #73
The sound of hammering could be heard
for blocks surrounding 1313 12th Avenue in Moline on
the morning of Saturday, August 20. A team of volunteers
was busy framing the first wall of the future home of
Tony and Cathy Hacker and their six children: Thalia,
Esma, Zane, Elliana, Jayda, and Tony, Jr.
Volunteers paused long enough for a brief
ceremony, which highlighted the generosity of the homes
sponsors and volunteers, and the hardwork of the Hacker
family. Like all partner families, Tony and Cathy Hacker
will each contribute 250 hours of sweat equity. Once
the house is completed, they will purchase their home
with an affordable, no interest mortgage.
Pastor Conway from Trinity Lutheran Church
lead the crowd in an opening prayer before Habitat's
Director of Development Debbie Jackson thanked the homes'
construction supervisors, Dan Mizner and Ross Christopher,
and sponsors. Each Habitat homes costs approximately
$85,000 to construct. Sponsors for house #73 include
Wells Fargo, The Moline Foundation, The Amy Helpenstell
Foundation, the Augustana College Habitat Chapter, Modern
Woodmen of America, Sam's Club, and Trinity Lutheran
Church.
Mayor Don Welvaert congratulated the Hackers
and thanked the many assembled volunteers for their
efforts. Habitat homes don't just help families, they
help improve neghborhoods and communities, he said.
The Hackers' menton, Habitat volunteer
Ellie Thompson, introduced the family and presented
Tony and Cathy with hammers to use during the construction
of their home. Cathy then held back tears as she thanked
the sponsors and volunteers for making their dream of
home ownership possible.
Bring Your
Team for a Work Day
Work Day Sponsors provide:
• A team of volunteers for a day
• A contribution to Habitat QC
In exchange, they receive:
• Construction leadership, training, and tools
for the day
• A simple, decent lunch
• Use of Habitat logo for t-shirts or publicity
• Recognition in Habitat publications
• A teambuilding opportunity unlike any other
• A chance to leave “titles at the office”
and make a tangible impact that will improve the lives
of a family in our community!
Call 563-359-9066 to schedule
a work day for your group
on one of our 4 homes under
construction!
Isabel Bloom Announces
New Sculpture to Benefit Habitat
Isabel Bloom, a Quad-City favorite, announced in January
that it would expand its partnership with 
Habitat
through by donating $5 from every sale of one of its newest
sculptures: a pineapple.
Isabel Bloom began partnering with Habitat in 2008 when
representatives of the company began presenting a Small
Birdhouse Plaque to each Habitat partner family at their
home dedication. After learning more about the program,
a crew from Isabel Bloom decided they wanted to be more
involved. In 2010, the company sponsored a workday and sent
a crew of employees to work on Habitat house #66.
Habitat’s Director of Development Debbie Jackson
explained that the new sculpture will have a far-reaching
impact on Habitat’s program. "The new Bloom Habitat
Pineapple will help Habitat further its mission by donating
a portion of sales proceeds to the cause. In addition to
helping build homes, the Pineapple will raise awareness
of Habitat and the importance of simple, decent, affordable
housing for everyone!"
The pineapple, an international symbol for welcome, will
be sold in Isabel Bloom stores and online at www.ibloom.com.
