Can Germanfest Generate Another Home?

Habitat News
Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties
Winter 2015
Can Germanfest Generate Another
Home?
As many of you realize, Habitat for
Humanity of Washington and
Dodge Counties has taken the reins
of Germanfest for 2016 and beyond.
However, this decision did not come
lightly as the Board debated the
potential income from the event
against the additional workload for
staff and volunteers.
The debate centered on whether Germanfest could
generate enough funding for the ministry to expand by
one full house in 2017. The Board concluded that it could;
however, the current model for Germanfest will struggle
to make those goals. Instead, a new sponsorship based
model has been implemented that leaves less to the
weather and beer consumption and more towards
promotion.
only $10,000. For an event that draws thousands of
people every day for 4 consecutive days – the rates are
very reasonable. Every area of Germanfest will have the
opportunity to be sponsored by a business or an
individual – including all of the bands.
The Board believes that this model will make Germanfest
sustainable for the long term and will generate enough
funding to build an additional house every year.
But the trickle-down benefit for the community only
begins at Germanfest. Once a Habitat for Humanity
home is built, the family becomes vested in the
community, generates significant property tax dollars and
brings stability to a family that was previously operating
on shaky ground.
I wish to encourage you to consider becoming a Germanfest
sponsor this year. Laurie and I have stepped up this year
to be a $1,000 sponsor in the hopes of making this a
sustainable community event.
Habitat wishes to leverage our brand name with the
single largest music festival in the county. Habitat
believes that businesses and individuals alike will be
willing to sponsor this great event which can be a win /
Please contact me or Steve Tennies at the Habitat office if
win situation for both the community and local businesses. interested in keeping Germanfest thriving for the next 30
years. Russ Wanta – ed@hfhwashco.org or Steve Tennies
Habitat will have Germanfest sponsorship opportunities project@hfhwashco.org / office phone is 262-338-0690.
starting at $250 and to be the event sponsor will cost
Get Your Tickets For The Wine Dinner
At Dublin’s In West Bend on February 18th !
724 Elm St. Suite 103, West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 338-0690
www.hfhwashco.org
LOOKING FOR A SIMPLE, QUALITY HOME TO OWN?
CALL 262-338-0690
We do not give away homes!
Families must have a need for housing, ability to pay for a no interest
mortgage and be willing to partner by putting sweat equity into the
construction of their home.
Local Upcycling Projects
Upcycling is a year round activity that is
truly for anyone. It is incredible how
creative people can get; Pinterest helps
too! An avid ReStore shopper has been
turning dressers into distressed storage
benches! When asked why she and her
husband create so many upcycled
products, she responded, “We love to
upcycle because it's exciting to see old or
worn out items come to life again, and
have a new purpose.” While making
benches is their favorite, they also created
this amazing coat rack out of rescued
wood and hand drills; all purchased at
the ReStores! With the new year, it is a
perfect time
to start a
project!
Changing Roles
at the ReStores
In November, Habitat for Humanity of
Washington and Dodge Counties
ReStore staff, Chuck McCall and Tim
Burton, were promoted to new
positions. Burton replaced McCall as
manager of the West Bend location,
while McCall accepted the position as
ReStore Director overseeing the three
locations in West Bend, Germantown,
and Beaver Dam.
McCall had volunteered for Habitat for
many years including being a member
of the family selection committee.
Three years ago, he began working full
-time at the West Bend ReStore and
later was promoted to manager.
On a weekly basis, his time is divided
between each ReStore, and he moves
merchandise from store to store, as
needed. With 40 plus years in retail
store management experience, he
hopes to help all three ReStores
continue to operate profitably to carry
on Habitat’s mission to build safe and
affordable housing.
Germantown and West Bend ReStores
after relocating to Washington county
from Milwaukee. Between his growing
responsibilities with the ReStore and
being a father, he has also been
working toward a degree in sustainable
management. As manager, he hopes to
“build new relationships to broaden
the donation base.”
With McCall’s guidance and the
ReStore volunteers, Burton’s transition
to manager has been a great
experience. “I’m blessed with a solid
core of volunteers who work each
week and do it well,” Burton said. “It’s
been a great group of people to work
with.”
For more information about the ReStores
including address, hours of operation, items
available or volunteer opportunities, please
visit the website: http://hfh-wi-wadoReStore.huterra.com/
TIM BURTON
CHUCK MCCALL
As Director, one of his goals is to
standardize the operation guidelines
for all three locations with pricing and
donations.
Winter 2015
Burton began his Habitat career a year
ago as a part-time truck driver for the
Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties
2016 Annual
Golf Fore Homes
June 24, 2016
Scenic View Country Club
Slinger, WI
Buffet Dinner with Live/Silent Raffle
Call the Habitat Affiliate office for more information: (262)338 -0690
Shantytown Coming
to Dodge County
“The key to growth is the
introduction of higher dimensions of
consciousness into our awareness.”
Lao Tzu
happen – every month – in Dodge
County throughout 2016. She
proposed the idea to the affiliate and
with their approval, began announcing
it in business networking, service
Shantytown is a long held event with and community groups. Together
Habitat. Its main goals are community with her daughter Gabie, the
awareness, youth empowerment and presenting and recruiting groups to
fundraising. Participants spend a
participate has been an ongoing
night in cardboard boxes or other
effort that has brought them closer.
such structures common to real life
shantytowns around the world,
Dodge County Shantytown 2016’s
educating themselves, their
inaugural event will be held in the
communities and raising both
County seat of Juneau, WI, and will
awareness and support of Habitat’s be hosted by students, teachers and
mission.
faculty of Dodgeland Schools. The
first event will be held on January 30
HFH of Washington and Dodge
-31, 2016, during a traditionally cold
Counties’ Beaver Dam ReStore
time of the year! Future groups and
Manager – Laura Goral – recognizes dates will be announced soon. If you
the need for more involvement from are interested in participating as an
Dodge County to grow Habitat’s
individual or group, or supporting
presence and affect in lives in her
an event, please let us know by
community. Searching Habitat.org,
contacting Laura & Gabie Goral at
she one day came across the
shantytown@hfhwashco.org
Shantytown event. Reading various
accounts of what the event did in the
communities they were held in, she
thought this is just what needs to
Habitat for Humanity of Washington and Dodge Counties
A New (Local) Face
In Town
Beginning in
August, Steve
Tennies joined the
Habitat staff in
Washington and
Dodge Counties. A
Washington County
native himself –
originally from the
Town of Erin and now Slinger – he was on
staff in various roles with Milwaukee
Habitat for Humanity for over 17 years,
and considers it a true blessing to be a part
of the Habitat Mission with a great
affiliate a little "closer to home."
Steve is helping Habitat in a several ways:
coordinating its new and exciting venture
of running West Bend Germanfest
(www.westbendgermanfest.com), helping
develop Habitat’s Rescued Wood
program, and assisting with things at its
ReStore in West Bend.
Having a heart for Habitat’s Christian
Mission of giving a loving “hand up” to
those in need of decent and affordable
homes, he looks forward to getting to
know you and many others as we all work
together to make that happen!
At Thrivent Financial, helping
members be wise with money,
live generously and give back
are hallmarks of who we are. Through Habitat for Humanity and
other resources, members reach out through time, talent and treasure to make a difference in their communities.
Fall Celebration
Upcoming Events
The Habitat staff, along with West Bend Mutual
Insurance put in months of time and energy for
another successful Fall Celebration. The turn out was
great and all who attended had a wonderful time. We
are thankful for everyone
who had a hand in the
event and are looking
forward to another
successful year!
Wine Night at Dublin’s
Thurs. Feb. 18th
5 Course Meal with wine pairing. Tickets
are $45, sold at Dublin’s. Only 40 spots
available. Starts at 6:00 PM, register at 5:30
PM.
Liberty Tax Day
Sat. March 12th
Hartford and West Bend locations will do
your taxes for free with a $60 donation to
Habitat for Humanity of Washington/
Dodge Counties
St. Patrick’s Day at Dublin’s Sat. March 19th
Starts at 3:00 until 10:30. Portion of the
proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. $5
cover at the tent. Raffles. Live music
throughout the day.
GET INVOLVED! VOLUNTEER
There are many ways to get
involved in providing housing in
Washington and Dodge Counties.
Giving of your time and energy to
work side-by-side with volunteers
from around the area can be a
very rewarding experience - while
helping a partner family realize
their dream of owning a home.
• Grant Writing
• Photography
• Providing meals for Workers
• Build Groups (5-15 people)
• Music for Special Events
• Graphic Design
There are many more
ways you could
volunteer. If you or your
group are interested in
volunteer opportunities
or to schedule a
volunteer date, please
contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 262-338
-0690 or www.hfhwashco.org
Winter 2015