RECORD-BREAKING CROWD SHOWS RECORD-BREAKING GENEROSITY Habitat blows past $70,000 goal to raise $105,000 in one hour!

EUGENE, Ore.—April 28, 2015 “Today, we are here to build a house in an hour!”  These were the words spoken by Jean Stover, Resource Development Director for Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity, at the 2015 Benefit Breakfast. This year’s theme was “Rise to the Challenge: Build a House in an Hour!” At the end of the hour, the sell-out crowd built 1 ½ houses.

In an unbelievable show of generosity, 380 people RSVP’d to attend the breakfast at the Hilton Hotel, donating a record-breaking $105,000! The goal was $70,000, as that is the amount Habitat needs to purchase materials and supplies to build a house.

New to the event this year was the Challenge Team, composed of seven young business leaders who pledged a total of $35,000 prior to the event, representing half of the goal. They “laid the foundation”, then challenged the community to “raise the walls and roof to finish the house”. The response was overwhelming, as people opened their hearts and wallets to help families live in a decent home of their own.

The seven Challenge Hosts were:

The crowd was inspired by Guest Speaker, Mr. Clive Rainey, who joined Habitat International in 1977 as its very first volunteer. He brought the concept of “sweat equity” to Habitat, which is a key element of Habitat’s successful program. During his 35 years of service, Clive helped make Habitat for Humanity one of the most recognized brands in the world.

Guests also heard from the daughter of a Habitat family. Rosalba Montes told the story how her parents frequently travelled between Mexico and Oregon with three young daughters, searching for work. Finally settling in Oregon, eventually they were accepted into the Habitat program. With the stability of their Habitat home, all three daughters excelled in school, each earning their Master’s Degree. Rosalba is currently the Spanish teacher at Churchill High School.

Recognizing the powerful impact Habitat has on families and on our community, guests reached deep to build hope and change lives for people like the Montes family.  “It is truly inspiring to see our guests rise to the challenge to lend a hand up, not a hand out, to those in need” said Ms. Stover.

The Challenge is still open. With a few more donations, enough could be raised to build TWO houses from this one exciting event. To donate, visit www.sehabitat.org or call (541)741-1701.

About Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity

Habitat is an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing.  The Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity affiliate is one of 2100 affiliates worldwide that have built, rehabbed, and repaired over 800,000 houses serving over four million people in need of safe, decent, affordable housing. Springfield/Eugene Habitat’s ReStore accepts donated new and used building materials , furniture and home improvement items for resale to the public with proceeds supporting Habitat’s work in increase affordable housing in the community. Call Habitat at (541)741-1707 for more information and to learn how you can help.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jean Stover, Springfield/Eugene Habitat for Humanity

jean@sehabitat.org, 541-741-1707

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