Sussex County Habitat for Humanity announces new partnership
Kevin Gilmore, executive director of Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, announced Oct. 26 that Burris Logistics and Brendon T. Warfel Construction will be joining in a partnership to build a Habitat home next year in the Milford area.
This announcement took place during the annual employee appreciation picnic and provided the perfect opportunity to share the good news with both Burris and Warfel employees. Gilmore said, “Brendon T. Warfel and Burris Logistics are both successful community-minded companies with strong ties to the Milford community. They are able and willing to engage their networks in helping a family with housing, and building hope and community in the process.”
Gilmore spoke to those in attendance about how Habitat partners with others to make the dream of homeownership a possibility. He said, “Habitat is not a giveaway program. Rather, it gives people a hand up, not a handout! Every adult in the family contributes 250 hours of hard work, sweat equity, to building on their home and other projects too.”
Tom Protack, director of community engagement for SCHFH, encouraged the employees to think of creative ways they and their families and friends can participate in this partnership. Protack said, “No doubt, you will be giving the gift of homeownership so that a Milford family will have a decent, safe and affordable place to live and raise their families. As the walls of their house go up, so many other walls of anxiety, worry and doubt come down.”
The next step for this project is to seek donated land. Burris, Warfel and Sussex County Habitat are reaching out and searching for a donated lot in the Milford area. A later step in the process will be advertising for partner family applicants. At the same time, homebuyer applications are being accepted. Call the Georgetown Habitat office at 302-855-1153 to learn more.
Maggie Owens, marketing director for Burris Logisitics, said, “Burris employees will help raise funds personally and through United Way throughout the project. They are excited and are anxious to get started. We will have several build days and special events to keep the momentum going.” She will plan and coordinate the employee volunteer days, fundraising and special events.
Brendon Warfel explained the goal will be to start construction in spring 2013. With Warfel volunteering as the house construction leader, both he and Burris will invite people and companies in their networks to give their time and materials to reduce the cost to build this house.
The build schedule will include donated services of tradespeople. If something cannot be donated, Habitat will use funds raised for this build to pay for the work that cannot be reasonably done by volunteers. The build schedule will include days designated for Burris and Warfel volunteers and partner family participation. Habitat will approve the homebuyer (partner family) and provide support and guidance during the entire build. To become part of this project or to donate land, contact Tom Protack at SCHFH, 302-855-1153, Ext 210.
