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Old Man Band 3 Hour Live Performance-Hammers and Hardhats Live Auction

10/23/2023

 
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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!
  • YouTube.com/oldmanbandrocks
Old Man Band has been bringing their good-time music to fans in east central Iowa since 2018. Audiences can’t help but smile and tap their toes to classic rock, country, and pop songs they recognize and love.

​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
  • Follow our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OldManBandRocks​

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Kazi's Sushi Party for 8-Hammers and Hardhats Live Auction

10/23/2023

 
​A Women Build tradition continues at this year's Hammers and Hardhats fundraiser with a generous donation from long-time Women Build supporter, and 2017 Women Build co-honoree, Kazi Alward. Kazi will host a party at her home and will teach guests the art of making sushi.
Kazi, whose expertise comes from watching her mother, provides all of the tools, utensils, and ingredients in her kitchen. The evening starts with a glass of wine and snacks as guests help prepare the ingredients and then everyone sits down while Kazi demonstrates how to roll the sushi. After the demonstration, everyone rolls their own sushi with fillings of their choice:​
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  • Fish
  • Deep Fried Shrimp
  • Bulgogi Beef
  • Imitation Crab
  • Smoked Salmon
  • Eggs
  • Cucumber
  • Carrots
  • Avocado
  • Sweet potato
  • Asparagus
  • Cream Cheese
  • Spinach
  • Mango
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The meal is accompanied by miso soup, sake, and pickled ginger. Dessert is mochi ice cream with coffee or tea. Guests take home what they can’t eat along with the sushi rolling mat, which is theirs to keep. 

Online Auction Bidding Opens for Preucil and Swanson Music Soiree!

10/17/2023

 
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The Mary Mascher Women Build committee could not wait to get auction bids going for a 16 guest party featuring a beautiful and and exclusive Iowa City venue, live music by two of Iowa City's finest musician's, renowned Iowa City residents as hosts, and libations, hors d'oeuvres, and dessert! This is the party to attend!
PLACE YOUR BID!
WHAT: A party with live music hosted by Alan and Liz Swanson and Doris and Bill Preucil. Guests will enjoy libations, catered hors d'oeuvres, and desserts while they listen to piano improvisations by Alan Swanson and a violin performance by Oriana Ross.
WHEN: Thursday, November 16, 4:30-6:30 pm
WHERE: Iowa City's Chauncey Building in the 12th-floor home of Alan and Liz Swanson. Their home overlooks downtown through glass walls.
WHO: Sixteen guests are welcome to attend. Hosts will need to know the attendance number by November 10.
A message from the hosts: "We look forward to welcoming our guests to this event to support Habitat for Humanity and the Mary Mascher Women Build!"

Ms. Ross has been playing the violin since age four! She has performed and soloed in Europe in addition to participating in many orchestral tours, symphonies, and jazz bands. She is also a music major at a school you might be familiar with—the nationally accredited and critically acclaimed University of Iowa School of Music! The past summers, she has been performing with bands in Nashville!

​Alan Swanson is a broker and owner of Blank and McCune. He has enjoyed a long and successful career in real estate while spending much of his free time playing piano, a lifetime passion he especially loves to share while he and his wife, Liz, entertain guests in their home. 
PLACE YOUR BID!
Curious to see our lineup of nearly 100 other silent auction items? Visit this link or click the button below! Register and create your profile today and get ready to bid when the auction opens at 10:00 pm on Wednesday, October 18! Proceeds from Hammers and Hardhats benefit the Mary Mascher Women Build! Learn more here.
SILENT AUCTION!

IVHFH to Host First IVHFH Women Build Week!

3/29/2023

 
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What is Women Build Week (WBW)?
IVHFH 2023 Women Build Week is a special kickoff of the Mary Mascher Women Build taking place April 23-29.

WBW EVENTS:
Volunteer Day - April 27, 8 AM-5 PM
Volunteers will help lay sod and complete related tasks at the 2022 Women Build home located at 780 Barber Place in Iowa City. Sign up to volunteer!

Frame Decorating Party - EVENT CANCELLED
This event was originally scheduled to take place at the Habitat Warehouse which was destroyed by a tornado on March 31. You can still participate! Decorate a 2'x4' framing board (stud) for the Women Build home. We ask participants to consider a donation to benefit the Mary Mascher Women Build. Pick up a stud from the Habitat office Monday-Friday 9 AM-4 PM, decorate it, and return it to IVHFH by April 21. Your board will be displayed at our Groundbreaking Ceremony AND you will be invited to our Frame Finder event this fall to see where your stud was placed in the structure of the home. Click here to donate and register. You can also email [email protected] to reserve your 2'x4' and/or register for the Frame-A-Thon and donations can be mailed to IVHFH | 2401 Scott Blvd. SE | Iowa City | IA | 52240.

Women Build Groundbreaking Ceremony - April 29, 10 AM at 2637 Blazing Star Drive, Iowa City
Join the Women Build committee and future homeowners, Etienne and Romance and their children Kenaya, Kevin, Ketan, and Kellian, as we break ground at the site of the 13th Women Build home.

STAY TUNED! We are working on many details of the Mary Mascher Build so check back for more exciting details SOON! If you would like to receive updates and announcements about Women Build, send a message to [email protected].

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Picture*Photo taken by Holly Berkowitz*
About the Mary Mascher Women Build
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's 13th Women Build project is in honor of Mary Mascher! Mary served as an Iowa State Representative for 14 terms and taught in the Iowa City Community School District for 33 years. Mary has served the Habitat mission for decades, frequently hitting the build sites with The University Club group, Women with Hammers. Mary joins a group of 13 women in the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity community honored for their achievements, their leadership, and their service to our neighbors.

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Our Goal
The Women Build committee is working together to raise $55,000 in local contributions and recruit volunteers to build an energy-efficient home that will be purchased by a family in need of affordable homeownership. $5,000 will be used to make affordable repairs and/or accessibility modifications for an existing homeowner. Make a donation today to help us reach our fundraising goal!

History of IVHFH Women Build
The first Iowa Valley Habitat Women Build was completed by a committee of volunteers in 2005, the second Women Build was also completed by a committee of volunteers in 2007, but the affiliate did not commit to making the Women Build an annual project until 2011. Since then, it has become a tradition for IVHFH to name each Women Build in honor of an influential woman in the community.

2011-2022 IVHFH Women Build Honorees include: Dottie Ray, Jackie Blank, Jane McCune, Dr. Christine Grant, Jean Lloyd-Jones, Mary Palmberg, Pat Heiden, Kazi Alward, Jan Down, Katie Lammers, Doris Preucil, and Jane Hagedorn.

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IVHFH Dedicates Jane Hagedorn Women Build Home

2/16/2023

 
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To celebrate completion of the Jane Hagedorn Women Build, IVHFH hosted a formal Dedication Ceremony at Parkview Church in addition to open houses at the Women Build home in Iowa City. Thank you to Women Build committee members who came together to plan and host our open houses! As guests walked into the home on January 26 and 27, they were warmly greeted by Women Build honoree Jane Hagedorn along with future homeowner Mogahid and his family. Guests were invited to tour the home and enjoy snacks and refreshments provided by the Women Build committee. As a special tribute to several long-term supporters and Women Build committee members who had passed away in recent years, IVHFH displayed pictures and names of these beloved Habitat friends: Judy Best, Dr. Christine Grant, William "d'Grouch" Laubengayer, Von Miller, Amy Pretorius, and Lori Thomas. 

​At the Dedication Ceremony, Jane thanked the hundreds of supporters who made contributions to the project--volunteer time, donations to two silent auctions, financial contributions, discounted or free construction labor and supplies, and so much more. Jane said she remembers her mother always saying, "It takes a village to raise a family." She added, "Well, it takes a community to build a home!", as she reflected on the countless number of people who came together in support of Women Build 12.

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Guests clapped and cheered as Jane Hagedorn handed Mogahid and Rahma the keys to their new home. The couple were joined by their children Nadeen, Mohammed, Ahmed, Mohalab, Mustafa, and Moneeb. After the ceremony was complete, guests traveled to the new home to share in a home blessing, tours of the home, and food prepared by Mogahid and Rahma's family and friends. 
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​Thank you again to the hundreds of donors, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters 
of Mogahid and Rahma's home! Because of your generosity, nearly $190,000 was raised in addition to countless gift-in-kind donations of construction supplies, materials, labor, discounts, and more. As Jane Hagedorn said, "It takes a community to build a home!" Thank you to our incredible community!​

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City of Iowa City Supports Women Build With Climate Action Grant

6/27/2022

 
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As many of our long-time supporters are aware, we take great care to build energy efficient homes. These measures ensure utility costs are low and reduce consumption of resources. This year’s Jane Hagedorn Women Build project is no different as we will install spray foam insulation, which seals gaps and prevents air penetration, Energy Star appliances, and an energy recovery ventilation system.

In addition to these features, and with the support of a Climate Action Grant from the City of Iowa City, we are upping our electrification efforts by installing an air-source heat pump HVAC system, and a heat pump water heater. Installing electric appliances instead of appliances that use fossil fuels, also known as electrification, helps reduce a home’s carbon footprint. As renewable sources increasingly provide electricity to our homes in conjunction with utility providers’ efforts to switch to wind and solar power, heating and cooling with electricity reduces carbon emissions. Installing an air source heat pump will allow this Women Build project to be heated with clean electricity, rather than a gas furnace. New advances will allow this heat pump to be effective year-round, including on some of the coldest winter days. The IVHFH staff and board of directors want to thank the City of Iowa City for support of this initiative and investing in efforts to reduce our community’s carbon footprint. Read more about our efforts to build energy efficient homes.

IVHFH COMPLETES WOMEN BUILD HOME REPAIR

5/3/2021

 
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Through Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Helping Hands repair program, a single-mother in North Liberty has replaced the flooring throughout her home.
 
Homeowner Geri’s son, Tajiri, has severe allergies. As a baby, Tajiri was experiencing hair loss, breathing problems, skin irritations, and more, but it was difficult to determine what was causing his symptoms. At the time, the family had pets in their home, but suspecting an allergy was causing Tajiri’s health problems, Geri removed the pets from their home. Later testing showed Tajiri suffers from several allergies including pet dander. Tajiri continues to struggle and his allergies make it difficult for him to sleep. Even after years of not having pets, the pet dander in the carpet throughout their home and vent/duct system triggers Tajiri’s allergies. Geri says, “If you have a situation where a child has severe allergies and is allergic to the home, what do you do? Not everybody can just move to another home. It really was a no-win situation.”
 
As part of the repair project, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity will had the vents and ducts in the home cleaned. Sobaski Abbey Carpet and Floor donated the labor, materials, and supplies to remove all the carpeting in Geri and Tajiri’s home and replace it with vinyl plank flooring.

Homeowner Geri says, “I tell my foster children from day one, "No matter how it looks, you are never alone. There's always someone in your corner, they just have to find you." I got that saying from my grandmother. When I found out what was wrong with my son and not being able to do what I needed to help him, as a single mother, I felt helpless. But true to my grandmother's words [Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity has] now proved to me that I too, am not alone.”

IVHFH would like to thank Sobaski Abbey Carpet and Floor for their generous sponsorship of this project! ​ 

This project is part of Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s annual Women Build program. The 2021 Women Build is in honor of Jane Hagedorn, master plumber and former owner of Bea Day Plumbers. Jane and the IVHFH Women Build committee are working with Habitat staff to raise $55,000 to support construction of a new Habitat home in Iowa City as well as the Helping Hands repair for Geri and Tajiri.

Geri and Tajiri's project was recently featured on KCRG: https://www.kcrg.com/2021/04/30/north-liberty-mom-receives-free-flooring-to-help-autistic-son-with-severe-allergies/.

THANK YOU!

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Jane Hagedorn Named IVHFH Women Build Honoree

3/4/2020

 
IVHFH has named Jane Hagedorn its honoree for the 12th annual Women Build. Former University of Iowa softball coach, turned master plumber and business owner, Jane has always committed to carving out time to give back to many local organizations and causes. Jane Hagedorn has played an integral role in each of our Women Build annual projects, so we could not think of anyone more deserving to be the honoree of our 12th annual build. Read more about Jane Hagedorn.

Women Build is a program developed by Habitat for Humanity as a way to engage and empower women in construction. The goal is not meant to exclude men, but to include women who may not feel comfortable volunteering at a male-dominated construction site. Women Build also highlights and honors the talented and hard-working women in our community. 
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Each year, IVHFH seeks an influential woman in the community to honor with the Women Build. The honoree works with 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. Along with the efforts of the Women Build committee, a local family will partner with IVHFH to build an energy-efficient home that they will purchase with an affordable home mortgage. The Habitat homeownership program ensures that the household pays no more than 30% of their income to cover housing costs allowing more of their funds to be dedicated toward other essentials like education, health and transportation. Additionally, Women Build will support a local resident in need of critical home repairs and/or accessibility modifications. Through Helping Hands, a homeowner will receive affordable repairs so they can live more safely in their existing home. 

Jane and the Women Build committee encourage everyone, regardless of gender, to take part in any way they can. We need supporters to swing a hammer on the construction site, provide food for volunteers, make in kind donations or financial donations and attend fundraising events. ​
​There will be many events, volunteer opportunities, and other ways to support this project throughout the year, but the Women Build committee is asking for you to kick things off with a donation and/or a registration to the Christine Grant 5K for Women Build on May 9.

Read more about Jane Hagedorn and Women Build.
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Make a donation to the Jane Hagedorn Women Build.
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Register for the Christine Grant 5K for Women Build.
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Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Kicks of Women's Home Improvement Confidence Course

2/3/2020

 
In January, Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity kicked off a 12 week home improvement course designed to give women an opportunity to learn how to do various home improvement tasks in a safe, nonjudgmental environment while remodeling a Habitat for Humanity home in Iowa City. The Women's Home Improvement Confidence Course is a series of Saturday classes where participants are introduced to the challenges and obstacles faced in a real-world remodeling environment. Classes include hands-on experience with:
  • Demolishing and remodeling a kitchen
  • Major and minor drywall repair
  • Tiling and grouting a kitchen backsplash
  • Shower tiling
  • Replacing ceiling fans and light fixtures
  • Replacing interior and exterior doors and jambs
  • Trim and finish work
  • Installing various types of flooring
  • Plum, square, and level
  • Sequencing of improvements

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity wants to thank Sandra Steil of MMS Consultants for her essential role in getting these workshops established. Sandra says, "My hope is that as women take these classes, they will develop confidence to take on other projects within their own homes." Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity plans to continue offering similar educational opportunities to the public. Stay tuned for updates on the Women's Home Improvement Confidence course and more!

Hammers and Hardhats Live Auction Features Riverboat Cruise

10/14/2019

 
Terry and Johanna Abernathy have generously donated a riverboat cruise on the Coralville Reservoir to the Hammers and Hardhats auction fundraiser on November 14. Winners will enjoy a 3 to 4 hour cruise for 20 people on the Abernathy's beautiful houseboat, Ausgezeichnet. While guests relax and view the scenic shoreline, they will also enjoy a breakfast with mimosas provided by the Doris Preucil Women Build committee. This auction package would be perfect for a special birthday, a wedding or baby shower, a corporate retreat, or simply a fun gathering for friends and family. 

The breakfast riverboat cruise will be auctioned off in a live auction at Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's annual Women Build fundraiser, Hammers and Hardhats. Additionally, there are several other exciting packages that will be featured in the live auction including a week-long stay at a condo in Keystone, Colorado, a private sushi party hosted by a Women Build committee member, a private morel mushroom hunt, and more! There will also be nearly 100 items up for grabs in a silent auction at the event. Proceeds support construction of the Doris Preucil Women Build home and Women Build Helping Hands repair. 

Winners will make arrangements with the donors to schedule the breakfast cruise in summer of 2020. 
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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.
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​Volunteer
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Habitat for Humanity International

​
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.

Address 2401 Scott Blvd. Iowa City, Iowa 52240        Phone (319) 337-8949         Email [email protected]


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  • Home
  • About Habitat
    • Who We Are
    • Why Housing Matters
    • Programs >
      • Homeownership
      • Helping Hands
      • ReStore
      • Global Builds
      • Women Build
    • Interfaith Committee
    • Green Initiatives
    • Board of Directors
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Donate
    • Donate Today
    • Sponsorship
    • Cars for Homes
    • Gifts-in-Kind
  • Volunteer
    • Help us Build
    • Volunteer on a Construction Site
    • Volunteer in the ReStore
    • Other Ways to Volunteer
    • Volunteer FAQs
  • Own a Home
    • Affordable Homeownership
    • Criteria and Application
    • Homeownership FAQs
  • Events
    • Hammers & Hardhats
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Employment Opportunities
    • News
    • Affordable Housing Bible Study
    • Outreach Resources