Adams County Habitat for Humanity Thanks Three Major Donors

 

Prince of Peace Donates to Adams County Habitat for Humanity: Front: Pete Ricker, Bill Scott, and Father Herb Sprouse. Middle: Sue Pindle, Judy Leslie, Bill Tyson, John Phillips, Lynn Cairns. Back: Bill Leslie, Bob Boehner.

Prince of Peace Donates to Adams County Habitat for Humanity: Front: Pete Ricker, Bill Scott, and Father Herb Sprouse. Middle: Sue Pindle, Judy Leslie, Bill Tyson, John Phillips, Lynn Cairns. Back: Bill Leslie, Bob Boehner.

The all-volunteer, non-profit organization Adams County Habitat for Humanity accepted checks and thanked three major contributors following its April Board of Directors meeting. Donors included Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, Gettysburg; ACNB Bank; and the kindergarten classroom of Mrs. Brittany Lawrence at Gettysburg Montessori School.

“Habitat for Humanity relies primarily on donations in order to purchase housing supplies and services, in fulfilling our mission to provide affordable housing to those in need,” says Pete Ricker, President of the Board of Directors. “The entire process begins with donations just like these—made out of kindness and in caring for others within our community, and we could not be more thankful.”

Prince of Peace Episcopal, one of 14 covenant churches connected to Adams County Habitat, made a contribution of $1,000 to the organization. Father Herb Sprouse represented the church at the presentation.

ACNB Bank, a long-time corporate donor, presented Adams County Habitat with a 2017 donation of $2,500 through Vice President and Corporate Relations Officer Lauren Muzzy.

ACNB Bank Donation Benefits Adams County Habitat for Humanity: Front: Lauren Muzzy of ACNB Bank, with Habitat Board Members Bill Scott, Pete Ricker. Middle: Sue Pindle, Lynn Cairns, Judy Leslie, Bob Boehner. Back: Bill Tyson, Bill Leslie, John Phillips.

ACNB Bank Donation Benefits Adams County Habitat for Humanity: Front: Lauren Muzzy of ACNB Bank, with Habitat Board Members Bill Scott, Pete Ricker. Middle: Sue Pindle, Lynn Cairns, Judy Leslie, Bob Boehner. Back: Bill Tyson, Bill Leslie, John Phillips.

Additionally, the kindergarten class of Mrs. Brittany Lawrence at Gettysburg Montessori School voted and designated Adams County Habitat for Humanity as the focus of their recent giving project. Lawrence said her students felt compelled to help and donate, when they learned there are Adams County families in need of homes.

Kindergartners Help Adams County Habitat for Humanity Via Donation: The kindergarten class of Mrs. Brittney Lawrence, Gettysburg Montessori School, is photographed with: Left: Mrs. Lawrence and assistant teacher Ann Wright. Right: Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board Member Bob Boehner, school principal Faye Pleso, and board members Pete Ricker and Sue Pindle.

Kindergartners Help Adams County Habitat for Humanity Via Donation: The kindergarten class of Mrs. Brittney Lawrence, Gettysburg Montessori School, is photographed with: Left: Mrs. Lawrence and assistant teacher Ann Wright. Right: Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board Member Bob Boehner, school principal Faye Pleso, and board members Pete Ricker and Sue Pindle.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1988, completed and dedicated its 39th home in the fall of 2016. The organization will be announcing plans for its banner 40th home, this spring.

The majority of each Habitat home’s construction is completed by volunteers, side-by-side with partner Habitat families, as well as skilled laborers—many of whom donate or discount their services. Costs are kept as low as possible so that homes are affordable to partner families.

Prospective homeowners are encouraged to apply for a home. Habitat for Humanity offers interest-free mortgages to those who qualify. Applications for future homes will be available at the open house and are also available online at www.habitatadamspa.org. Tax-deductible donations are always welcome, via online giving at www.habitatadamspa.org or checks mailed to the organization at P.O. Box 3561, Gettysburg, PA 17325.

To volunteer with Adams County Habitat for Humanity, contact volunteer committee chair Bob Remaley at coachremaley@comcast.net. For more information, check the Adams County Habitat for Humanity Facebook page at www.facebook.com/adamscountyhabitat, the website at www.habitatadamspa.org, or call 717-334-5557.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity follows the vision of Habitat for Humanity International: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. And the mission of Habitat for Humanity International is as follows: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

 

 

 

 

 

Biglerville Blitz Build Planned for Fall 2015

A “Blitz Build” is planned at Adams County Habitat for Humanity’s newest building site, located on Franklin Street, Biglerville, during the next two weeks—October 22, 23 and 24 and October 29, 30 and 31—bringing together a volunteer community workforce to begin constructing a home for a deserving area family.

Volunteers are welcome during this period of intense building, designed to jump-start construction of a new single-family, one-story home—the nonprofit organization’s 38th home within the county. Core volunteers are supplied by the congregations of 14 covenant churches in Adams County, however additional volunteers are always welcome.

To volunteer, complete a volunteer form found on the organization’s website, habitatadamspa.org and/or contact Bob Remaley at coachremaley@comcast.net.  Volunteer hours during the Blitz Build generally run from 8 am through 4 pm, depending on the weather. Snacks and lunches are provided by partnering covenant churches.

“Our Habitat chapter is unique in that we are not focused on just one community,” according to Pete Ricker, President of Adams County Habitat. “Instead, our goal is to provide housing to hard-working, deserving families throughout the entire county, so it’s wonderful to focus on Biglerville for our next project.”

“Our partner families normally cannot qualify for other forms of housing assistance,” Ricker explains. “Yet they would otherwise slip through the cracks and fall into a cycle of reliance on rental properties, if it weren’t for the helping hand of Habitat for Humanity, following the model established by this incredible Christian-based non-profit.”

Since its inception in 1988, Adams County Habitat has provided 37 homes built by community volunteers to low-income families, who otherwise might not own homes, in various locations in Gettysburg Borough, several townships surrounding Gettysburg, plus Biglerville and Arendtsville.

This fall’s Blitz Build commences work on the non-profit organization’s 38th home within the county.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity offers interest-free mortgages to families who qualify. Potential partner families are invited to submit applications—available online at www.habitatadamspa.org.

The majority of each Habitat home’s construction is completed by volunteers, side-by-side with partner Habitat families, as well as skilled laborers—many of whom donate or discount their services. Costs are kept as low as possible so that homes are affordable to partner families. To offer professional services or donate supplies, please contact Adams County Habitat at 717-334-5557 or habitatadamspa@yahoo.com.

To follow the Blitz Build’s construction progress from the ground up, check the Adams County Habitat for Humanity Facebook page for updates.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity, a 501 (c) (3), follows the vision of Habitat for Humanity International: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. And the mission of Habitat for Humanity International is as follows: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

The Adams County chapter is one of nearly 1,500 affiliate chapters throughout the U.S. and one of 2,050 Habitat for Humanity chapters world-wide. This nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry has provided more homes to more than 1 million families, representing 5 million people, since being founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976.

 

Thank You, ACNB Bank!

Adams County Habitat for Humanity recently received a $2,500 contribution from ACNB Bank.  A local non-profit Christian organization, Adams County Habitat for Humanity follows the vision and mission of Habitat for Humanity International in striving for a world where everyone has a decent place to live.  Since its inception in 1988, Adams County Habitat for Humanity has helped provide 35 homes to low-income families deserving of home ownership.

ACNB - AC Habitat for Humanity 2015 web

The Bank’s contribution was acknowledged with a check presentation.  Taking part in the presentation is Thomas A. Ritter, left, President & Chief Executive Officer of ACNB Bank, and C. L. Pete Ricker, right, who serves as President of Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and is also the Senior Vice President of Retail Lending at ACNB Bank.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity is a tax-exempt 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Corporate and individual gifts are greatly appreciated and are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

2014 in Review

Habitat for Humanity recently marked an incredible milestone–the worldwide, nonprofit organization has now provided homes to more than 1 million qualified families since its founding in 1976.  This amazing statistic includes 35 families right here in Adams County. As 2014 comes to a close, we are thrilled to share warm holiday greetings and a summary of the past year’s community involvement:

June 1, 2014 was a banner day for Adams County Habitat for Humanity: During an Open House and Dedication, we celebrated the completion of a duplex at 82-84 Fifth Street, Gettysburg. This new construction project marked the 34th and 35th families served during our chapter’s past 26 years. Our partner families, who qualified for home ownership, invested their own “sweat equity” by helping to build the homes. They are now repaying mortgages to Adams County Habitat, financed at no interest. These funds, infused by donations, are reinvested to help us serve additional families as we look towards 2015!

A Circle of Support: June 1 Home Dedication and Blessing

A Circle of Support: June 1 Home Dedication and Blessing

Also on June 1, we held a groundbreaking ceremony directly next door to our newest home, and began working on another duplex, currently under construction at 70-72 Fifth Street, Gettysburg. We are seeking new, qualified homeowners so please help spread the word to hard-working families in need of a home.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board Members Recently Broke Ground at 72 Fifth Street, Gettysburg

Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board Members Recently Broke Ground at 72 Fifth Street, Gettysburg

Many thanks to the hundreds of volunteers, board members, corporate and individual donors, plus members of partner church congregations! Your generosity overflowed with kindness in 2014.

A few highlights include:

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Jan 2014: ACNB Bank presented a corporate donation of $2,500.

April 2014 Milestone: Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board President C.L. “Pete” Ricker thanks Gettysburg attorney Gary Hartman for serving on the Board for more than 25 years in a volunteer capacity.

April 2014 Milestone: Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board President C.L. “Pete” Ricker thanks Gettysburg attorney Gary Hartman for serving on the Board for more than 25 years in a volunteer capacity.

July 2014: Three of Habitat’s covenant churches banded together for a Bible School project. The end result? Dozens of bags of much-appreciated supplies--paint rollers, painters’ tape and much more!

July 2014: Three of Habitat’s covenant churches banded together for a Bible School project. The end result? Dozens of bags of much-appreciated supplies–paint rollers, painters’ tape and much more!

Sept 2014: Covenant church Prince of Peace Episcopal presented a generous $1,000 donation.

Sept 2014: Covenant church Prince of Peace Episcopal presented a generous $1,000 donation.

 

Think about what the word “home” means to you. Please consider investing in the next series of homes built by Adams County Habitat for Humanity, as we look toward the future and continued success.

  • $25 will buy nails for a home
  • $250 will purchase a home’s handicap accessible ramp
  • $2,500 will supply doors and windows for a home
  • $25,000 will pay for 1/5 the cost of a new home

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution in 2015. Checks may be made payable to ACHFH. If you prefer using a credit card, please go to our website (HabitatAdamsPA.org) and follow the instructions on how to designate Adams County Habitat when making your donation.  Thank you again for your generous support.

In partnership,

C.L. Pete Ricker, Chair, Adams County Habitat for Humanity

And the entire Board of Directors, Adams County Habitat for Humanity:

Bob Boehner, Lynn Cairns, Dan Ebaugh, Karen Hendricks, Bill Leslie, Judy Leslie, John Phillips, Sue Pindle, Bob Remaley, Bill Scott, Bill Tyson, Pete Wilson, Lori Wright and Bernie Yannetti

Prince of Peace Donates to Adams Co Habitat

One of 14 covenant churches, The Memorial Church of the Prince of Peace, Gettysburg, recently gifted the nonprofit Adams County Habitat for Humanity with a $1,000 donation.

Covenant churches provide the organization with financial support as well as volunteer labor in their mission to provide homes with interest-free mortgages to deserving, low-income families in Adams County.

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Front row, left to right: Pete Ricker, President, Adams County Habitat for Humanity; Bill Tyson, Vice President; The Rev. Herbert Sprouse, Prince of Peace; Pete Lindquist, Adams County Habitat for Humanity representative at Prince of Peace. Back row, left to right: Bill and Judy Leslie, Family Support; Bob Remaley, Volunteer Coordinator; Bill Scott, Construction Chair.

Since its inception in 1988, the nonprofit Adams County Habitat has provided 35 homes to low-income families. A duplex home at 70-72 North Fifth Street, currently under construction, marks the organization’s 36th and 37th homes.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity, a 501 (c) (3), follows the vision of Habitat for Humanity International: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. And the mission of Habitat for Humanity International is as follows: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

 

Adams Co Habitat Grateful for Donations

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Adams County Habitat for Humanity gratefully accepted donations this summer from a Vacation Bible School program organized by three area churches—Christ Lutheran, St. James Lutheran and Prince of Peace Episcopal. Donations included more than a dozen bags of supplies used in home construction, such as painter’s tape, paint rollers and trays, trash bags, and more. Adams County Habitat for Humanity welcomes applicants for home ownership, volunteers, corporate and individual donations, and in-kind donations of goods and services for home construction.

IMG_8645 webJulie Keyser and Carol Cogliano, organizers of this summer’s “Workshop of Wonders” Vacation Bible School, a collaboration between Christ Lutheran, St. James Lutheran and Prince of Peace Episcopal Churches, presented donations from more than 130 Gettysburg area children, to several community nonprofits including Adams County Habitat for Humanity. The mission of Adams County Habitat for Humanity is: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. The organization’s vision is: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Many thanks to all of the children, families and churches involved in these generous donations!

Blitz Build Announced for July-August: Volunteers, Services Welcome

Construction to Begin on 36th and 37th Houses 

A “Blitz Build” is planned at Adams County Habitat for Humanity’s newest building site, located at 72 Fifth Street, Gettysburg, on July 31-August 2 and August 7-9.

Volunteers are welcome during this period of intense building, designed to jump-start construction of a new duplex-style home for two deserving area families. Core volunteers are supplied by the congregations of 14 covenant churches in Adams County, however additional volunteers are always welcome. To volunteer, complete a volunteer form found on the organization’s website, habitatadamspa.org and/or contact Bob Remaley at coachremaley@comcast.net.

Volunteer hours during the Blitz Build generally run from 8 am through mid-afternoon, depending on the weather. Snacks and lunches are provided by covenant churches throughout Adams County.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board Members Recently Broke Ground at 72 Fifth Street, Gettysburg

Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board Members Recently Broke Ground at 72 Fifth Street, Gettysburg

Since its inception in 1988, the nonprofit Adams County Habitat has provided 35 homes to low-income families. The Blitz Build commences work on the non-profit organization’s 36th and 37th homes, directly next door to the organization’s newest completed duplex, dedicated to two families on June 1.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity offers interest-free mortgages to families who qualify. Potential partner families are invited to submit applications—available online by clicking here.

The majority of each Habitat home’s construction is completed by volunteers, side-by-side with partner Habitat families, as well as skilled laborers—many of whom donate or discount their services. To offer professional services or donate supplies, please contact Adams County Habitat at 717-334-5557 or habitatadamspa@yahoo.com.

To follow the Blitz Build’s construction progress from the ground up, check the Adams County Habitat for Humanity Facebook page for updates.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity, a 501 (c) (3), follows the vision of Habitat for Humanity International: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. And the mission of Habitat for Humanity International is as follows: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity Celebrates 34th and 35th Homes Completed

Public Invited to June 1 Open House 

Sidewalks are being installed at Adams County Habitat for Humanity’s newest duplex home, 82-84 Fifth Street, Gettysburg. The public is invited to an open house celebration on Sunday, June 1 from 1-3 pm.

Sidewalks are being installed at Adams County Habitat for Humanity’s newest duplex home, 82-84 Fifth Street, Gettysburg. The public is invited to an open house celebration on Sunday, June 1 from 1-3 pm.

Almost exactly one year after breaking ground at 82-84 Fifth Street, Gettysburg, Adams County Habitat for Humanity is holding an open house to celebrate completion of the duplex home, constructed by volunteers. The open house is set for Sunday, June 1 from 1-3 pm. Tours and refreshments will be available, along with the chance to learn more about the non-profit organization and apply for a future home.

“Everyone in the community is encouraged to attend the open house,” said Pete Ricker, President of the Board of Directors. “It’s a chance to visit and walk through a Habitat for Humanity home and see  the incredible results of volunteer labor and tax-deductible community donations—all provided with a Christian spirit of kindness to others. Each home is a total community effort.”

It took the combined efforts of 140 volunteers to build the two-story duplex, over a time period of 47 weeks including an initial “Blitz Build” in June of 2013 to kick off construction. Work took place mainly on Saturdays, with more than 3,200 hours of donated manpower recorded.

Two families are set to move into the new homes—in fact, they were required to supply up to 500 hours of “sweat equity” by constructing the homes side-by-side with volunteers and skilled laborers—many of which donate or discount their services.  Habitat for Humanity offers interest-free mortgages to those who qualify. Applications for future homes will be available at the open house and are also available online by clicking here.

“I never thought I would own my own home, as a single parent,” explains Melanie Soliday, one of the new homeowners. “I feel so blessed. The people behind Habitat have changed my life and helped me reach this goal. They are like an extension of my own family thanks to the ministry behind the Habitat organization.”

Soliday, a single mother of three children, will share half of the duplex with another Habitat family—Render Thang Tong and Angela Sunghniang Pung Lung, also parents of three children. The couple, sponsored by area churches several years ago, emigrated from Burma. Assisted by Habitat Family Support chairs Judy and Bill Leslie, the couple recently passed their test for US citizenship.

Two additional exciting events will take place on June 1. Prior to the public open house, Habitat board members will lead the families in formal dedication ceremonies, saying prayers of blessing within every room of their new homes. Also, the non-profit organization will break ground in the lot next door to the completed home, in order to construct a similar duplex-style home. The organization hopes to launch new construction with a Blitz Build in late summer, once two future Habitat partner families are identified.

“Many of the partner families simply would not be homeowners if it weren’t for Habitat for Humanity,” explained Karen Hendricks, Public Relations Chair. “It’s a life-changing, powerful hand up—not a hand out—that we are thrilled to extend to hard-working families. Home ownership translates into numerous positive outcomes such as healthier, more stable family life.”

The Adams County chapter, founded in 1988 and currently in its 26th year of operation, is one of 1,500 affiliate chapters throughout the U.S. and one of 2,050 Habitat for Humanity chapters world-wide. This nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry has provided more than 600,000 affordable houses to more than 3 million people since being founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976.

“Your group is so committed to building homes for low-income families. Your board and volunteers are such professional and caring community members,” wrote a 2012 partner family. In a thank you letter to the board, the family continued, “We are so happy with our new home… You will never know how much you have touched our lives.”

The board is extremely grateful to donors who provided the following services or materials during construction:

  • Hubert Snyder, Jr – residential design and CAD drafting service
  • Zachary Fontaine, Gettysburg – electrical work
  • Gary E. Hartman – legal work
  • Dow Chemical – foam insulation board, house wrap & tape, and window sealing tape
  • Hunter Douglas – window blinds
  • Square D – electrical components
  • Valspar – paint
  • Yale – door knobs and locksets
  • Master Brand Cabinets – kitchen and bathroom cabinets
  • Whirlpool – refrigerators and ranges

Fourteen covenant churches in Adams County provide financial support and volunteer labor to the organization: Chapel Hill Church of God, York Springs; Christ Lutheran, Gettysburg; First Baptist, Gettysburg; Gettysburg Church of the Brethren, Gettysburg; Gettysburg Presbyterian, Gettysburg; Gettysburg United Methodist, Gettysburg; Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian, Gettysburg; Prince of Peace Episcopal, Gettysburg; St. Francis Xavier, Gettysburg; St. James Lutheran, Gettysburg; St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran, Littlestown; Trinity Lutheran, Arendtsville; Trinity United Church of Christ, Gettysburg; and Zion United Church of Christ, Arendtsville.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity is grateful for all monetary donations; as well as donated/discounted construction materials, appliances, and services; or donations of land and lots for future building. All donations are tax-deductible—the organization is a 501 (c) (3).

To volunteer with Adams County Habitat for Humanity, contact volunteer committee chair Bob Remaley at coachremaley@comcast.net . For more information, check the Adams County Habitat for Humanity Facebook page at www.facebook.com/adamscountyhabitat or the website at www.habitatadamspa.org or call 717-334-5557.

Nineteen community members serve on the organization’s board of directors. Officers include:  Pete Ricker, President; Bill Tyson, Vice President; Pete Wilson, Treasurer; Lori Wright, Secretary; Bob Boehner, Mortgage Servicing Treasurer; Karen Hendricks, Public Relations; Sue Pindle, Selection Chair.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity follows the vision of Habitat for Humanity International: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. And the mission of Habitat for Humanity International is as follows: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

In Recognition of Gary Hartman

Gettysburg Attorney Thanked for More Than 25 Years of Service 

Milestone: Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board President C.L. “Pete” Ricker thanks Gettysburg attorney Gary Hartman for serving on the Board for more than 25 years in a volunteer capacity.

Milestone: Adams County Habitat for Humanity Board President C.L. “Pete” Ricker thanks Gettysburg attorney Gary Hartman for serving on the Board for more than 25 years in a volunteer capacity.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors wishes to recognize and thank attorney Gary E. Hartman for more than 25 years of service to the non-profit organization. Hartman, of Gettysburg-based law firm Hartman & Yannetti, joined the board shortly after its organization in 1988 and announced recently that he is stepping down from the volunteer role.

“I look back on the 25 years with very high job satisfaction,” Hartman said. “This project has been overwhelmingly satisfying and I’m pleased to have been a part of it. The homeowners we’ve worked with are genuinely excited and emotional, which gives you a warm and positive feeling.”

“One of Habitat’s main goals is to sell real estate to families who otherwise would never expect to own a home,” Hartman explained. “It’s genuinely rewarding to help people own a home and realize this goal.”

Since its inception, Adams County Habitat has provided 32 homes to low-income families deserving of home ownership. Hartman recalls, “After a recent settlement, I received a sincere note from the homeowner… it was something that made me tear up.”

“On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I congratulate and thank Gary for his many years of selfless dedication and expert guidance provided to Adams County Habitat,” said Board President C.L. “Pete” Ricker. “Gary’s expertise helped low-income Adams County families become first-time homeowners, as he prepared essential documents such as leases, deeds and mortgages. We owe Gary an incredible debt of gratitude.”

Adams County Habitat for Humanity welcomes applicants for home ownership, volunteers, corporate and individual donations, and in-kind donations of goods and services for home construction.

The mission of Adams County Habitat for Humanity is: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. The organization’s vision is: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Habitat for Humanity Celebrates 25 Years in Adams County: Launches Annual Campaign

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Teamwork: Dozens of volunteers, working alongside current and future Habitat for Humanity homeowners, spent hundreds of hours this summer constructing Adams County’s newest Habitat home located on Fifth Street, Gettysburg.

Adams County Habitat for Humanity is celebrating two milestones—its 25th anniversary and the approach of its 35th house constructed by volunteers—as the non-profit organization launches its annual fundraising campaign. 

The vision of those who founded our affiliate in 1988 has blossomed into a thriving non-profit program that has now put roofs over the heads of 33 Adams County families,” said President C.L. “Pete” Ricker. “As we near completion of our latest duplex home on Fifth Street, Gettysburg, we are very excited to see that number rise to 35 families.”

“We are very grateful to the community for their support,” continued Ricker, “because Habitat families quite often fall into gaps not served by traditional low-income programs. Habitat families are hard-working families who simply need a ‘hand up’—not a handout.”

Over the past 25 years, there are literally hundreds of people to thank for the success of Adams County Habitat: hundreds of volunteers, board members, donors, partner church congregations, and the very families served. Partner families who qualify for home ownership invest their own “sweat equity” by helping to build homes. Then they repay a mortgage to Habitat, financed at no interest. These funds, infused by donations, are reinvested to help serve additional families.

“We ask Adams Countians to think about what the word ‘home’ means to them,” said Vice President Bill Tyson. “It’s very rewarding to see deserving families become home owners for the first time in their lives.”

Recent comments from Adams County Habitat homeowners have included:

  • “It’s the logical next step in providing my kids with everything I had growing up—a yard to play in, a good neighborhood, everything. It’s life-changing.”
  • “We are so thankful to Habitat for Humanity for all you have given us. We are so happy with our new home.”
  • “Your group is so committed to building homes for low-income families. Your board and volunteers are such professional and caring community members. You will never know how much you have touched our lives.”
  • “We are very excited and blessed to have this opportunity. It feels wonderful to be a homeowner and it feels great to give back to such a magical organization that has done so much for so many people,” referring to the “sweat equity” hours that require each family to work on either their own home or the home of another Habitat family.

In 2012, more than 300 volunteers spent nearly 1,500 hours working on Adams County houses. Hundreds of additional hours are donated to the non-profit, ecumenical Christian organization every year through the work of board members. The organization is run entirely by volunteers.

Donations from individuals account for a large percentage of the organization’s operating fund, primarily used to purchase building supplies for the construction of homes. Adams County Habitat also relies on corporate donations, funding from covenant churches, and grants, in addition to mortgage payments from Habitat partner families. All donations are tax-deductible; Adams County Habitat for Humanity is a 501 (c)(3).

Donations may be sent to: Adams County Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 3561, Gettysburg PA 17325. To make an online donation, log onto the organization’s website at habitatadamspa.org/donate.

The mission of Adams County Habitat for Humanity is: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. The organization’s vision is: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

For more information, check habitatadamspa.org, Adams County Habitat for Humanity on Facebook, or call 717-334-5557.