Habitat for Humanity Lincoln County NC
With all of the talk of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, there has just as much talk about those same charitable volunteers considering helping Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County. I personally have been involved in Realtor Care Days, where we make repairs to homes for people that do not have the means to do so themselves, but I have never built a home for a family. I can imagine it is very rewarding whether you are on TV and Ty is there or not.
Considering all of the Facebook posts made by friends, I thought it was good time to look into Habitat for Humanity in Lincoln County. You can find their website at http://www.habitatlcnc.org/.
Here is some information they provided about their organization…
About Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County
Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln county was started in 1992, and since then has worked to build affordable housing for low income families in Lincoln County. Our Mission is to provide decent, affordable housing to lower income families who would not be able to afford a home through a conventional mortgage.
Our Affiliate office and ReStore are located at 809 East Sycamore Street Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092; click here for hours and location.
The ReStore is a fundraising division of Habitat for Humanity. You’ll find all sorts of interesting things in our ReStore, mostly related to home repair or home furnishings — for more information, click here.
Applications for home ownership are available at the ReStore located at 809 East Sycamore Street, Lincolnton, NC phone (704) 736-9490.
At their website, they provide information on how to apply for a new home, how to donate and volunteer. There is additional information on REStore. Check this out…
What is a ReStore?
A ReStore is a store that accepts donations of new and gently used items from individuals and businesses in the community, and sells those items to the public at a reduced cost, usually 50-70 percent of the original retail value. All proceeds go toward building Habitat homes with the local Habitat affiliate.
Our Mission
Through the selling of donated construction and home related items:
- Increase the number of homes build with low-income families through Habitat for Humanity.
- Prevent usable items from being put in landfills.
- Provide quality building materials to the general public at discounted prices.
Schedule A Donation
To schedule a donation pickup, please contact our ReStore at: 704-736-9490.
They also provide a list of donations needed. Consider visiting their store to purchase for your home!
They also take boat and car donations!
Just one more place you can help the community, that gives back to your community!
Zootastic in Troutman, NC
My Family and I visited Zootastic last night. It was a truly great time at a very low cost. The Christmas lights were beautiful and the children had fun picking out the characters in the lights. We visited the animals in the barn. They had horses, all types of birds, including peacocks, camels, pigs, and more. The children roasted marshmallows, rodes ponies and Santa was even there.
Zootastic is located at 448 Pilch Road, Troutman NC 28166.
Their Holiday Hours are:
Dec 1 – Jan 1st
Each Night
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
You can visit the Zootastic Website at: http://www.zootasticpark.com/
They share the story behind the park on their website.
Zootastic Park was the vision of a local NC man, Scottie Brown. Scottie and his family have been working with exotic animals for over 30 years. Zootastic Park is privately owned and operated by Scottie Brown with no federal or state funding.
Five years ago while Scottie and his son were on a 6-hour flight to California, they decided to move forward with the planning and building of Zootastic Park. With both elder and younger Brown excited and determined, preliminary plans and budgets were developed by the time the flight landed. Two years later they broke ground on the first of many buildings, with 3 phases as part of the master plan. Over the course of the next three years Phase 1 of Zootastic Park started to take shape with a Western Town, multiple Animal Barns, and the Exotic Animal facilities.
In November 2009, Zootastic Park opened for the first time to the public with the Christmas Wonderland of Lights. The Zoo featured over 1 million lights through a 2 mile drive-through, Santa Claus, pony rides and much more. This will be an annual tradition at Zootastic for many years to come.
Zootastic Park will be opening the Zoo to the Public on March 6, 2010 with many events in store including Jr ZooKeeper Summer Camp, BBQ at the Zoo for Memorial Day Weekend, Easter Bunny Hop and many other events throughout the year.
Over the next three years Zootastic has great plans to add many more attractions, exhibits, and activities for the community. “We are part of this community,” Brown said, “we want to share our love for animals with our community and have a great place for families to come and enjoy true family time.” Zootastic Park is operated by Scottie Brown, his son Jerod, daughter Sarah, and her husband Shawn.
Visit Zootastic’s Photo Gallery at: http://www.zootasticpark.com/PhotoGallery.aspx
Extreme Makeover Home Edition – The Completed Home in Lincoln County, NC
Extreme Makeover Home Edition recently visited Lincoln County to help a needy family. Many of my friends visited the site to help with the Makeover. I wanted to share the end result with you! Thanks to the many good people for helping! Very Proud of our Lincoln County, NC Friends!
East Lincoln Christian Ministry, Denver, NC
East Lincoln Christian Ministry is a wonderful place to visit for those in need this holiday season. They have been known to offer help with power bills, provide free food and holiday meals. They even provide toys for children at Christmas. The volunteers are incredibly nice people, that have taken time out of their daily lives to help those in need.
I know that Denver Baptist church provides a great deal of support to East Lincoln Christian Ministries and I am sure there are many more out there and I know as a community, we have all pitched in at one time or another to help them through Food Drives, dropping off gently used toys, clothes, furniture, appliances and more.
More and more often these days, we find ourselves in situations we have never been in before. Lincoln County residents have faced losing their jobs, a construction and real estate downturn in a once thriving community. It has affected us all and sometimes you just need a little help for a little while, visit Christian Ministries.
They are located at
4278 Catawba Burris Road
Denver, NC 28037
704.483.4415
When I did an online search to learn more about them, I did not find alot of information. I did find this information from http://www.ncssm.edu/service/east-lincoln-christian-ministry-inc/ that you may find helpful.
There are many in community that may be in need of help, but don’t where to turn….Get the word out! There are also many opportunities to volunteer, so if you can make a little time in your day to day life, I think volunteering to help those in our local community is a great idea.
Agency Mission Statement:
To identify, research, and support charitable services to the citizens of East Lincoln County.
Agency Goals and Programs:
The ministry aims to help those in need while treating them with dignity and love. Programs offered include Crisis Ministry assistance to those in need as well as disaster relief. The Pantry offers food and personal hygiene items for those in need. Home Meals delivers meals to home-bound individuals. The Closet provides clothing, furniture, appliances, toys and much more sold at very low prices.
Agency Impact:
The ministry began in 1983 with a $500 donation and has grown tremendously through the continued efforts of many area churches, civic organizations, local businesses, and individuals. Their donations and volunteer efforts provide an invaluable service to many in need in the area.
Volunteer Duties:
- Delivering Home Meals
- Making deliveries and pick-ups for The Pantry
- Organizing and stacking items in The Pantry
- Working in The Closet sorting, tagging, and displaying items donated
- Assisting customers and helping with check-out
I recently received an e-mail from Bellamy Homes and I just knew there would be many interested folks locally, that would not be aware of it. Please share this information with anyone you think would like to participate…..
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) is coming to the “greater Charlotte area”. The builder is Bellamy Homes from Cornelius (a contract that was negotiated over a year ago based on applications of families in this area) and they have requested to partner with the Lincoln County Home Builders Association for this project in the event it happens in Lincoln County.
Mark Ingle (president LCHBA) is working directly with Wade Miller of Bellamy Homes to secure building products and skilled volunteers for the construction portion. Hodges Willoughby of Bellamy Homes is working to secure non-skilled volunteers for everything outside of the construction site. These are the sort of details and preparations that have to be made ahead of time regardless of whether our community is selected or not.
There are several families in the “greater Charlotte area” that are still being considered.
The website is live today after the press release was presented by Bellamy Homes. Please take the time to visit www.bellamyhomes.com and view the Join Extreme Makeover portion of the website. It is very simple to sign up to be a volunteer. They need both skilled labor (for construction portion) and non-skilled volunteers. There is a job available for everyone interested in being a part of the project.
The announcement date is SUNDAY DECEMBER 11. That will be the day the bus rolls up and Ty steps out with his megaphone to announce their arrival at whichever site is selected. The event will begin immediately and run thru Sunday December 18.
The actual construction portion is Monday December 12-Friday December 16 with punch list being handled on Saturday December 17. They will have shifts for the entire 7 days 24 hours around the clock and you can sign up for what suits your schedule.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of something much bigger than we could ever imagine. You will have the opportunity to meet the “stars” of the show during your volunteer time. But better than that, you will be helping provide a new home for an outstanding family in whichever community is selected. This show is not about how bad the house is you currently live in, it’s about the extra-ordinary circumstances of your life that demand a better living space.
Maybe you can only give 4 hours that week or you can give 40 hours that week – no matter how much or how little they can use it. Again the website is www.bellamyhomes.com – it only takes a few minutes to register.
Sally’s YMCA Update – Denver, NC
I received a great e-mail from the YMCA, I thought you might find helpful this holiday season! What a unique gift!
Give the gift of the YMCA!
YMCA gift cards can be used for just about anything the Y has to offer – massage, personal training, swim lessons, camp and more.
Give the gift of health and happiness this holiday season. Stop by the Member Services desk at Sally’s YMCA and purchase a gift card today!
YMCA MEMBER WEEKENDS AT DISCOVERY PLACE
Show your YMCA Member Card at Discovery Place on December 3-4 and December 9-10 and receive a $4 discount on admission to the Museum’s special exhibition, Mummies of the World. All tickets to the exhibit include full-day admission to Discovery Place!
Bring a friend on the first of each month for free. Shoot some hoops, take a yoga class or put in time on the fitness floor. If your friend joins the Y, you get a free month!
Specific Information about Sally’s YMCA in Denver, NC:
The Sally’s YMCA is a brand new, 22,000 sq. ft. facility in Denver, North Carolina, adjacent to 85 acres of land protected by the Catawba Lands Conservancy. Sally’s YMCA features:
- 4,910 sq. ft. Fitness Area With:
- Life Fitness Strength Equipment
- PRECOR, Octane and Stairmaster Cardio Equipment
- Kaiser studio cycles
- 1,833 sq. ft. Group Exercise Studio
- 528 sq. ft. Group Exercise Studio
- Outdoor water park with slides and splash features
- Sports Fields for Youth and Adults Sports
- Outdoor Trails
- Grace’s Chapel
- Gymnasium
- Drop-In Child Care area
For More Information, Check out their website: http://www.ymcacharlotte.org/branches/sallys/sy.aspx
DABA – Denver Area Business Association of Denver, NC
DABA is always looking for new members and new companies to connect with. They do lots of things for our local community, but there largest effort is certainly the Denver Fireworks every year at East Lincoln High School. They provide many opportunities for local business owners and citizens to interact and do business together.
Visit DABA’s Website at: http://www.dabanc.org/index.php
DABA provides some information about what they do on their website….
The Denver Area Business Association is a non-profit organization that exist to help the businesses in the greater East Lincoln area grow and be profitable.
DABA is not a Chamber of Commerce, instead DABA is an association compiled of business owners and employees, striving to provide leadership, educational and networking opportunities through a host of venues. Monthly networking events; Coffee Connection, Business Luncheon and After Hours, provide members social and business opportunities, guests are welcome and encouraged.
As a community service, we host annual public events; Fireworks Celebration and Taste of Denver to showcase DABA and it’s members to the public.
The membership of DABA incorporates not only small businesses, but large corporations as well, this diverse membership serves the group well in the exchange of ideas and information. The bonds that grow within our group are what make DABA such a special organization.
The Denver Area Business Association exists to foster local business growth through education, leadership and collective opportunity; thereby growing and enriching relationships within the membership and adding value to the greater Denver Area.
For More Information about DABA or to Join, visit this page on the web to contact them… http://www.dabanc.org/contact-daba.php.
2011 ELBA Denver Christmas Parade this Saturday, December 3rd!
Don’t forget about our 3rd Annual Denver Christmas Parade this Saturday. Lake Norman Realty will have a float. The theme is the 12 Days of Christmas. It can be quite difficult to put together a float with that theme that pertains to our industry, but luckily, our fearless leader, Shantae Brown, did. I will share all of our pictures with you after! Please join us! It is great fun for the children.
It starts at 2 pm this year. The route begins on N. Pilot Knob and Hwy 16 for 1 mile to Triangle Circle.
Tree lighting activities are Friday Dec 2nd at Lake Norman Lutheran Church beginning at 6 pm.
I have viewed the 10 day forecast and we may get away with a perfectly sunny day and a high of 57 degrees. Unlike the past two years of rain and snow.
OPEN HOUSE in the GATES AT WATERSIDE CROSSING – Saturday, 11/19, 1-4 PM
7585 Woodrest, Stanley, NC – Just down from the Stop Light at Hwy 16 and Hwy 73! Motivated! WITH a $5000 Allowance for You to Make Your changes to Your Personal Preferences!
This home has a Traditional Exterior with a Fabulous Open Floor Plan. This fenced lot is virtually flat with a Mature landscape & is Just down from the COMMUNITY POOL. The Two Story foyer is overlooked by a loft on the upper. No Carpet on the Main. Formal Dining with Moldings and Formal Living/Study. The casual living areas are open and of windows to provide natural light with a Great Room, Bay Window Breakfast Nook, and Kitchen. The Great Room offers a great Focal Point with the Gas Log Fireplace and includes Surround Sound. The Kitchen offers a tile backsplash, upgraded cabs with lighting above, a Desk space and an island/bar. All Bedrooms are located on the upper level including this large master suite with tray ceiling, His/Her Closets and a Private Master Suite Bath. The bath is equipped with a dual vanity, separate shower & garden tub. The laundry room is located on the second floor with cabinetry. Full Bath 2 also includes a dual vanity & don’t miss the powder room on the main. The Recreation Room is situated over the garage and includes a perfect spot for window seating and playing a game of pool.
The Gates is a Large Community just down from the New Hwy 16, Business 16 and Hwy 73. Three Entrances with Monuments. Two Community Pools with Playgrounds and Recreation Areas. Street Lights and Curb and Gutter.
Toys For Tots Season is Here!
Our Lake Norman Realty Office located in Denver at 1818 North Hwy 16 is collecting toys for Toys for Tots this year. We have decided we will be the office that collects the most out of the Lake Norman Realty Family of Offices. Others are located in Mooresville, Statesville, Cornelius and Davidson.
I have donated every year for many, many years, but this was the first year, I decided to investigate the foundation a little more and little did I know it was sponsored by the Marine Corp. These folks protect our country and our freedom and they are concerned that needy children get toys for Christmas. These folks are truly incredible. Good Work and Bless You All!
I visited the Toys for Tots website (www.toysfortots.org) and read about the corporate sponsors, other ways to donate and how to place a request for your children. If you are in need, please visit their site and select the “Request Toys” tab at the top. Included on the Toys for Tots website is an article on the Origin and Evolution of the Program. I have provided it here…
Colonel William L. Hendricks
Toys for tots Began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The idea came form Bill’s wife, Diane. In the fall of 1947, Diane crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas. When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one. He did. The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. That year, Marine Corps Reserve units across the nation conducted Toys for Tots campaigns in each community in which a Marine Reserve Center was located. Marines have conducted successful nationwide campaigns at Christmas each year since 1948. The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to “bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children”. Bill Hendricks, a Marine Reservist on weekends, was in civilian life, the Director of Public Relations for Warner Brothers Studio. This enabled him to convince a vast array of celebrities to support Toys for Tots. In 1948, Walt Disney designed the Toys for Tots logo, which we use today. Disney also designed the first Toys for Tots poster used to promote the nationwide program. Nat “King” Cole, Peggy Lee and Vic Damone recorded the Toys for Tots theme composed by Sammy Fain and Paul Webster in 1956. Bob Hope, John Wayne, Doris Day, Lorrie Morgan, Tim Allen, Kenny Rogers and Billy Ray Cyrus are but a few of the long list of celebrities who have given their time and talent to promote Toys for Tots. First Lady Nancy Reagan served as the national Spokesperson in 1983. First Lady Barbara Bush served as the national Spokesperson in 1992 and in her autobiography named Toys for Tots as one of her favorite charities.
From 1947 through 1979, Marines collected and distributed new and used toys. On Reserve drill weekends during October, November and December, Reserve Marines refurbished the used toys.
From Christmas 1980 through the present, Marines have collected and distributed only new toys. Three factors dictated this change. First, the Secretary of Defense’s Total Force Program, introduced in the 1970’s, assigned Reserves a greater role in America’s defense posture. As a consequence, Reservists had to dedicate every minute of weekend drill time to honing and polishing combat skills. No time was available to refurbish toys. Second, public awareness of the health and safety aspects of toys that developed during the ‘70s made distribution of used toys legally inadvisable. Third, distributing “hand me down” toys does not send the message Marines want to send to needy children. The goal is to deliver a message of hope, which will assist in building self-esteem and, in turn, motivate less fortunate children to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. A shiny new toy is the best means of accomplishing this goal.
In the late 1980s, the Marine Corps determined that a non-profit charity was needed as an integral part of the overall national Toys for Tots program. Based on this need, the Secretary of Defense, in August 1991, authorized the Marine Corps to recognize and work with a charity committed to supporting Toys for Tots. Based on this approval, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation became an operational organization in September 1991 and has been the fundraising and support organization for the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program since that date.
The Foundation was able to satisfy the five needs identified by the Marine Corps. First, the Foundation could provide toys to supplement the collections of local units that had fewer Marines due to military cutbacks of the ‘80s and ‘90s. Second, the Foundation could arrange and pay for the creation, publication, manufacture and distribution of promotion and support materials to Toys for Tots Coordinators. Third, the Foundation could enable individual and corporate donors to Toys for Tots to take a charitable deduction on their income tax returns. Fourth, the Foundation could enter into contracts with corporations to conduct promotions, which would produce royalties for Toys for Tots. (Needs three and four were two important elements of this charitable endeavor that the Marine Corps, as a federal agency, could not fulfill). Fifth, the Foundation could ensure that the Toys for Tots program operates in compliance with IRS regulations, state laws and regulations and charitable standards.
In 1995, the Secretary of Defense approved Toys for Tots as an official activity of the U. S. Marine Corps and an official mission of the Marine Corps Reserve.
In 1996, the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve expanded Toys for Tots to cover all 50 states by authorizing selected Marine Corps League Detachments and selected local community organizations (generally veteran Marine), located in communities without a Marine Reserve Center, to conduct toy collection and distribution campaigns in their communities as part of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program.
In 1999, the Commander, Marine Forces Reserve delegated authority to the President, Marine Toys for Tots Foundation to approve and manage local Toys for Tots campaigns conducted in communities without a Reserve Unit.
2001: Despite the trauma the nation experienced as a result of the September 11th attacks in New York City, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania, the economic downturn and the anthrax scare, the 2001 U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Campaign was the second best in the previous 54 year history of the program. Local campaigns were conducted in 388 communities covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This was the most extensive coverage to date.
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary as the fundraising and support organization for Toys for Tots in 2001. The highlights of the year were that the Foundation had its most successful campaign to date plus was ranked #289 in the 2001 “ Philanthropy 400”. This was the first time the Foundation earned a ranking in the “Philanthropy 400”.
In 2002, Charity Navigator awarded the Foundation a 4-star rating and the Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked the Foundation #267 in the “Philanthropy 400”.
In 2003, the DMA Nonprofit Federation named the Foundation the “Outstanding Nonprofit Organization of the Year” for 2003. The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranked the Foundation #341 in the “Philanthropy 400”. Starburst ranked the Foundation website #9 of the “Top 100 Toy Websites”. Reader’s Digest, in the November 2003 edition, named Marine Toys for Tots Foundation “America’s Best Children’s Charity”. In December 2003 edition, Forbes included Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in its “Gold Star List” of charities.
From 2004 to the present the Foundation has continued to receive, on an annual basis, the accolades noted above.
Over the 62 years of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Marines have distributed more than 400 million toys to more than 188 million needy children. This charitable endeavor has made U. S. Marines the unchallenged leader in looking after less fortunate children at Christmas. Over its 18 year life span, the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation has supplemented local toy collections with more than 81.3 million toys valued at more than $487 million; plus has provided promotion and support materials valued at over $6.3 million.
Please join us this year in helping to bring a little joy to a needy child by stopping by our office and donating an unwrapped toy.
