 by Christie Cellman, IVHFH AmeriCorps member
Saturday, July 27th marked the Billie Townsend Women Build Groundbreaking Ceremony and Frame-A-Thon events hosted by Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Dozens of individuals, families, and organizational leaders gathered to celebrate as the crew broke ground on Nagi and Raddiya’s future home, and everyone transitioned to the Habitat warehouse to decorate the 2x4 studs that will frame their family’s living space. As both an AmeriCorps representative and a community member, it was inspiring to see our people rally around Nagi and Raddiya’s family. Folx from different races, religions, abilities, and life experiences came together in celebration and it was absolutely electric. There were no politics, no squabbles, no uncertainty—just love. As I decorated a stud alongside my daughter, surrounded by conversation, laughter, and the pitter-patter of children’s feet against the cement, I reflected on my own experience with Habitat and how they afforded me the freedom of accessibility through their Helping Hands program. I was trapped in my home, segregated from my community due to physical disability, and Habitat built a ramp, allowing me to make budget-friendly payments for materials. This act of kindness afforded me the ability to attend and earn three degrees, and so much more. I say this not to detract from Nagi and Raddiya’s experience, but to drive home the fact that these “hands up” for affordable and accessible housing have enormous impacts – socially, economically, and generationally. As my fiancé captured some of the event’s most candid moments, I recognized that we weren’t just preparing to frame Nagi and Raddiya’s home but also their future. This experience means more than shelter, it means potential. It means wealth accumulation and security for their children and future generations as well. As they make memories surrounded by the messages of love, blessings, and encouragement hidden behind their walls, they will be an example of what can be possible when communities unite for a purpose greater than themselves. Download the document for more information about becoming a Women Build sponsor! 
Women Build brings together women to help Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity create affordable housing solutions in the community. While the program does not exclude men, its primary objective is to foster a supportive environment for women to learn about and engage in construction. As honoree of the 2024 Women Build, Billie Townsend will lead a committee of women to raise $55,000 in local donations and recruit volunteers to help a local family build an affordable home and to help an existing homeowner make affordable repairs or accessibility modifications to their home.
Committing to Women Build as a project sponsor is an excellent opportunity for you to provide your team with a meaningful way to directly serve our neighbors in need of affordable housing while publicly demonstrating a cause and partnership in which you invest time and resources. In 2023, Women Build involved hundreds of volunteers, donors, and event attendees. Through IVHFH’s marketing efforts, thousands of individuals were reached through social media. Partnerships are crucial to building a strong and thriving community—sponsor Women Build and become a Habitat Partner. *Your sponsorship will be used to build the Billie Townsend Women Build Home and complete the Women Build Helping Hands Home Repair project. To learn more about Billie Townsend and Women Build, visit bit.ly/billietownsendwb Special note: Construction of the Billie Townsend Women Build home will take place from August to December 2024. For more information on volunteering and to discuss donations/sponsorship, contact Tami at [email protected] or 319-519-6121.  Billie Townsend and the Women Build committee invite you to join them in July for a month filled with events to raise funds and engage the community in Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's 14th Women Build project. Check out this lineup of events—there are activities for people of all ages to get involved!
HAMMERS AND HARDHATS FUNDRAISER
Can't attend our events but still want to show your support? Make a donation to support the Billie Townsend Women Build project! 
 Get ready for your next outdoor party or Hawkeye tailgate! This awesome wheelbarrow is filled to the brim with all the goodies you need - chips, dips, salsa, snacks, alcohol and drink mixes, beer, wine, and more! And thanks to Scheels, we even have a Solo Stove table firepit and mini oak firewood to make some delicious s'mores. The firepit is super cool with its Dual Fuel capability and Signature 360° Airflow, making it a breeze to ignite and enjoy a smokeless fire. Plus, Scheels also included a Yeti brand mug and wine tumbler to keep your drinks nice and chilly. And don't forget your Eddie Bauer insulated cooler from GreenState Credit Union which is already full of some of your favorite Big Grove brews. Oh, and your friends are sure to have a blast playing a giant outdoor game of Giant Jumbling Tower (think Jenga!). So, grab a drink, gather your friends, and let's have an amazing time outdoors! The best part—you can wheel it all away in a Kobalt wheelbarrow donated by Lowe's! Want to learn more about the Solo Stove table firepit? Check out this link. You should also take a look at the specs for the Kobalt wheelbarrow! IVHFH construction staff can't recommend a better quality wheelbarrow! Package includes:
 This is an opportunity for our Hawkeye fans to get a one-of-a-kind view of Iowa Women’s Hoops. With this package, one lucky bidder and three of their friends will work with the Hawkeye staff to schedule a day when they get four court-side tickets, four t-shirts, and a pre-game tour of Carver-Hawkeye arena. Where else can you get a behind-the-scenes look as players, coaches, and staff prepare for a game? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to miss.
Package includes:
Where will you be when the 2023 Big Ten Tournament champions and Final Four participant start their march for the 2024 National Championship? Well, one lucky bidder and three of their friends will be sitting court-side on November 6 as the Hawkeyes start their new campaign. So if you’ve wondered what it is like to sit mere feet away from Caitlin Clark as she launches logo threes, this item is for you! Don’t bypass this chance to see the best basketball team in the country! Tickets generously donated by GreenState Credit Union   Looking for the perfect entertainment for your next get together? The Old Man Band will perform live at your next party. Dance and sing along to your favorite songs as the Old Man Band makes your next party a memorable one. Bid now and schedule later! Enjoy a performance for up to 3 hours. The band brings all the equipment they need. The only thing they need from the event hosts is an electrical outlet! *Date and times are subject to availability. The winner will work with the band to select a date when Old Man Band is available. Check out this link to the Old Man Band Demo! Enjoy!
The bandmembers’ comfortable banter with each other and the audience just adds to the fun. “It’s ear candy” in the words of one eloquent fan. “You guys are always so much fun! We definitely want you back next year! Put it on your calendar!” -Jackie Bailey, Courage Ride Founder “They always fill the tent and the crowd stays until the very end.” -Nancy Roth, Kalona Fall Festival Organizer
  Is there anything more fun than spending a sunny summer day with 19 of your friends and family eating your favorite BBQ with all of the fixin’s, casting a line in a well-stocked lake, beating your siblings at cornhole, catching a hayrack ride, and wrapping it up by roasting marshmallows? This experience is for those who consider this a perfect day. Mary Mascher will host a party for 20 people at her family farm in rural Johnson County. One lucky bidder will work with Mary to schedule the outing and prepare a menu, then stand back as Mary takes care of the rest. To commemorate your win, you get to take home a tractor and hayrack—okay, they're toys, but they are awfully cute! Toy set includes wooden tractor, hayrack, hay bales, and friendly farm mice. This one-of-a-kind experience includes:
*Limit of 20 guests* **Restrooms available on site** ***To be scheduled for June or July 2024 and date is subject to hosts' availability***
Want an opportunity to experience unmatched hospitality? Long-time Habitat supporter, former member of the Board of Directors, and fantastic cook, Kineret Zabner, is inviting the winning bidder—and seven friends—to enjoy authentic Venezuelan cuisine at her home. Want to have people over to your house, but don't feel like cooking? No problem! Kineret can deliver, but why would you want to miss out on an opportunity to enjoy a meal with a spectacular view from the Chauncy Building in downtown Iowa City?! Whatever your preference, don't miss this chance to enjoy an easy evening of fantastic food, great conversation, and even better company!
The meal includes a big salad for appetizer, pulled beef, rice, black beans, and fried plantains for dinner and coconut flan and berries for dessert. *A delivered meal must be in the Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty area.
“Life is good, especially when you have a classic hotel to live it in.” Don't miss out on a vacation stay at one of the most historic—and breathtaking—hotels in Wisconsin! This one-of-a-kind hotel is in Fond du Lac, endearingly known as Fondy! The award-winning hotel design features a lobby decorated in vintage fashion, with crystal chandeliers, porcelain-tiled floors, and black and white panels adorning the pillars and doors. “Hotel Retlaw has been restored to its former historical significance with a remarkable renovation completed in 2019. While the hallmark aesthetics of our property remain, contemporary elements can be found throughout, including stylish and unique décor.” -Hotel Retlaw website You might be asking, what is Retlaw?! The hotel’s beloved original owner was Walter Schroeder—Walter spelled backward? Yep! It’s Retlaw! This package includes:
You might be bidding on this one-of-a-kind hotel, but Fond du Lac will not let you down! Guests also enjoy easy access to the best things to do in downtown Fond du Lac from the hotel. Visit, shop, play, and dine along the scenic east shore of Lake Winnebago. From Fond du Lac to Sherwood, find unique gifts and art, salons and spas, restaurants, and cafes, boating and golfing, parks, orchards and farms. There are always great things to do in Fondy! Hotel Retlaw History (taken from the hotel's website): Since the hotel’s opening in 1923, Walter Schroeder (the original owner of the hotel) had a vision to create the Hotel Retlaw as one of the finest hotels in the State of Wisconsin. The eight-story neoclassical hotel in red brick with its cornice and façade detailing shows the attention to detail that was not overlooked in buildings of the era. It’s no coincidence that the name Retlaw, if you haven’t guessed it yet, is his first name backward. While little has changed on the exterior of the hotel over the past 90 years, the interior has undergone several transformations. The original hotel had 265 guestrooms, which was later reduced to 138. In our current design, we have 121 guestrooms, suites, and residential suites. The building has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service. This is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Hotel Retlaw stands today as one of the most richly historic hotels in Wisconsin. Learn more about Hotel Retlaw: https://www.thehotelretlaw.com/  |
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Our Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Our Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. Our Values: - Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ. - Focus on shelter. - Advocate for affordable housing. - Promote dignity and hope. - Support sustainable and transformative development. |
We welcome all who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live. Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize.
Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. |
