Honeoye build thoughts

Three years in the planning, five months of construction and we can celebrate that our Honeoye build is complete. The process was a long one. Assembling the steering committee, planning the project, raising the necessary funds, purchasing the property, selecting the family, raising the necessary funds, designing the house, publicity, permits, raising the necessary funds, scheduling the build, construction of the house, final dedication, and did I mention raising the necessary funds? All of these aspects of the project required dedicated volunteers. We had plenty of people who volunteered to join the many committees, to organize fundraisers, to build the house, to supply food and drinks and to continue to encourage us to keep moving forward. The Honeoye build was an amazing group effort!!

The construction of this house for me was more than the committees, the fundraisers, the build, and the dedication, it was the people. The people I had the chance to meet, the new friendships I was able to make and the existing friendships that grew stronger. I never expected that by volunteering to be a part of a project like this, I could grow so much in my appreciation of others who were donating so much of their time and energy. Throughout this project my faith grew stronger and I new God's blessing was a part of this, that we the volunteers were the benefactors of this build as much as Gail and Sarah were.

With this project coming to completion I would like to say thank you to all my fellow members of the steering committee, to all the crew leaders and support staff of Blitz Week, to our home owners Gail and Sarah, to all the unnamed volunteers who were a part of the Honeoye Habitat Build, and to my wife Beth for all her encouragement and support.

Get ready for the next build, volunteer and change your life.
-Bob Stowe

Honeoye Build in the News

Courtesy of Messenger Post Newspapers:
Honeoye, N.Y. -
Cake, punch, songs, hugs, prayers and sunshine were abundant on Sunday afternoon, as about 75 people came together to congratulate Gail and Sarah Howard on receiving the keys to their new home.

The 1,236-square-foot, three-bedroom house at 8512 Brookview Drive — a project coordinated by Habitat for Humanity of Ontario County — was built by the efforts of several hundred volunteers, who hammered and spackled, painted and sanded the structure together during one busy week in July and a series of Saturdays thereafter.

The Howards themselves were among the builders, required by Habitat to contribute 250 hours of work toward the project. About 30 of the construction volunteers were among the well-wishers at Sunday's party.

Gail Howard tearfully accepted the keys from Habitat co-president Bill VanDusen and a commemorative Bible from co-president Becky Steele, as she thanked the builders, community members, and God.

"God, you've taken a broken person, made me whole and given me a home," said Gail.

The Howards beamed as they ushered guests into the nearly-finished but still unfurnished house. Only the floors remain to be completed, and the Howards hope to move in by the end of October.

The pale green house has a welcoming, white front porch with a cross and American flag hanging over the front door. A hand-painted cornerstone bears the Habitat for Humanity logo.

Inside, personalized accents abound, such as Gail's specially-requested, extra-tall kitchen countertops and Sarah's electric-green bedroom walls.

The energy star-certified house is outfitted for affordable operation and energy efficiency, thanks to its high-quality insulation, energy-efficient appliances and a radiant-heating system that runs hot water through pipes under the floor.

"You won't find a house in Richmond that's less expensive to own and operate," said VanDusen during the ceremony.

Soon-to-be neighbors can't wait until Gail and Sarah move in for real.

"Everybody loves Gail, everybody knows her around here," said the Habitat chapter's Webmaster, Brian Miles.

"Gail and Sarah will be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood," added neighbor Nana Ferguson, who had opened her own Brookview Drive home to volunteers for snack breaks and water while the Howards' house was under construction.

Perhaps the chocolate and vanilla sheet cake, cut and passed out by Girl Scouts from troops 60, 788 and 218, offered the day's sweetest words of welcome: "May this home be filled with peace, love, joy and hope forever," it read.

Full article text can be found here.

Honeoye Blitz a Success!

A  week ago we started with a foundation, today we are well on our way to a complete home. The exterior of the house is complete except for a few small items. The interior is ready for insulation and drywall (actually most of the ceiling is already insulated). The rough plumbing, heating and electric are complete. Thank you's are necessary at this time. The Honeoye steering committee all their planning and preparation. The board for all their support and encouragement (especially Bill, Becky and Greg). The crew leaders with their knowledge, patience and guidance made my job much easier. The volunteer coordinators for their amazing ability to supply us with all our necessary help. The hospitality group for all they did in keeping us watered and fed (Monday I go back to packing my own lunch) The many organizations that supplied us with our morning breaks and lunches, we never lacked for excellent food. Most important are the hundreds of volunteers who participated in this build, with out them this would not have been possible. And on a personal note to my wife Beth, thank you for your encouragement and support, with that anything can be accomplished. I have been blessed with this opportunity to work with all of you and Habitat For Humanity. I look forward to the rest of our build.

-Bob Stowe

Honeoye Blitz Week!

The time to start building in Honeoye is nearly upon us! Blitz Week runs the last week of June. From June 23rd, to June 29th, excluding Sundays.. You can click here for directions to the build site. Please check the calendar for dates and times, and call Habitat for Humanity for volunteer information.

Honeoye Groundbreaking!

The ground breaking ceremony for the Honeoye build is coming up soon! On Sunday, May 6th, at 1:30pm the ceremony will take place at the future building site in Honeoye. You can click here for directions to the build site.

Honeoye Build Update

2007 is already looking like a great year for the Honeoye Habitat Project.  This is the year that we will build our first house in Honeoye for Gail and Sarah Howard.  Blitz week has been scheduled for June 23rd – 30th.  Our fund-raising efforts have generated close to $42,000 of our $60,000 goal.

Several months ago Bob Stowe joined the Honeoye Steering Committee and has volunteered to be the construction manager.  This is a huge boost for us as Bob brings his knowledge, skills and energy to the project.  He is currently working with the architect on the final drawings, which we are all excited to see. 

After a few weeks off for the Holidays, we are anxious to get back to work in preparation for “The Build”.  At our last committee meeting, January 16, topics of discussion were final fundraising efforts, preliminary construction concerns, volunteer coordination and hospitality coordination.  Bob Stowe, Bill Van Dusen, Russ Healy and Dick Tschorke had a breakfast meeting recently to discuss initial construction details.  They set June 23rd – 30th as “Blitz Week” This is a full week of long days and a massive volunteer effort when walls, roof, electrical and plumbing take shape.   This is the week we imagined three years ago when this project was born.  You’ll hear lots more from us in the months ahead but keep a couple of days free that week to be a part of the fun.  Following Blitz Week the project scales back a little as we are best able to put crews together. Anyone retired?

In preparation for construction, here's what you need to do.  First, fill out the Volunteer Interest Form on this website.  Ontario County Habitat For Humanity has a great database to help us organize crews quickly and efficiently.  Essentially, these lists will give us a "call list" and will match skills and interests to construction needs.

Money always seems to be a part of these updates but we really are doing well.  Hopefully soon the “money” thing can go away and we’ll report that the $60,000 goal has been reached.  It is always difficult to report accurately because, thankfully, this changes every day. Right now we’re at $42,000.  Additionally there is $3,400 of UCC matching funds yet to be paid and some additional checks received by Habitat but not yet fully processed.  This calculates to a remaining balance of about $14,000 to be raised.  The Honeoye Central Schools, Middle School and High Schools Student Council, just announced a Bird Seed Sale to begin soon with the proceeds to benefit Habitat.  Please help support these kids if you are able.  Remember this past fall when the Elementary Students raised over $4,600 for the project.  We continue to sell the “Square Foot” gift cards if you would like to make a donation in someone’s name, simply contact anyone on the committee.

Once again we want to thank everyone for your patience and support of this build.  It has been a long time in the works and the fun is really just beginning.

-Honeoye Steering Committee

Honeoye Project Gathers Steam!

Over the course of the past few months, the multiple-church steering committee in Honeoye has made significant progress toward the goal of building the first Habitat house in the Honeoye area. Family selection is complete: Gail and Sarah Howard will take possession of the new house once it’s built, and they’ve been quite active in fundraising and other work toward their 250-hour commitment.

The committee has purchased a lot in the Mill Creek subdivision, just off East Lake Road near Main Street. The house will be near shopping and the Honeoye Central School, among other necessities. The location is hard to beat for any Habitat house!

We’re finalizing a floor plan that calls for a 1200-square-foot ranch home built on a slab, with Ontario County Habitat’s preferred 2x6 framing and a trussed roof system. The house will be built for energy efficiency, helping to reduce Gail and Sarah’s utility bills and to make their lives more comfortable. The Honeoye group is working with an architect who has volunteered his services; house plans are at the final draft stage. Construction will begin in early spring.

Over the winter, the Honeoye churches will continue to raise funds and prepare for construction to begin. We’re learning the logistics requirements as we go, but judging by the volunteer support we’ve been offered by many people in the community, we eagerly await springtime so everyone who’s interested can get a hand—or a hammer, paintbrush, or saw—into the effort.

Honeoye... Here we come!

We are pleased to announce that we are finally able to introduce our newest family and begin the fundraising for this project!  The HFHOC Family Selection Committee has selected Gail and Sarah Howard of Honeoye to be our next family partner.  The Howard’s are Honeoye residents and are thrilled to have been chosen to be future Habitat home owners! 

We have also purchased an excellent building lot.  The Howard’s home will be built at 8510 Brookview Drive in the Mill Creek subdivision off East Lake Rd.  This lot is very buildable with all utilities on site.   When choosing a lot, we always take into consideration is convenience for the family to get to work and school

Now that all of the essentials are in place, it is now time to raise the funds to make this home a reality.  The estimate is to raise $60,000 before we break ground in October.  In the near future, the steering committee will be selling off “Square Feet” of the home.  You can purchase a square foot for $50 (or lots of square feet!), and while the home is under construction, your name will be printed on your square foot of the house.  This is a great way to have your name go down in history.  Also, in the month of September, you will be able to donate a “$1 for a Habitat house” at area Honeoye businesses when you go through the check out.  Our goal is to plaster the town of Honeoye with colorful houses.  There are many other great idea’s planned and we hope that you will support the churches in the months to come.

Habitat for Humanity of Ontario County
P.O. Box 778 Victor, NY 14564
Tel: 585-425-8960
Email: info@hfhoc.org