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Dear Friend:
Whether or not you are familiar with the successes of Needham Interfaith Habitat during ’05, we think you’ll want to join the community and with us in ’06 as we begin planning for a Habitat Home here in Needham. After 3 years of hard work, 2005 was a turning point for Needham Interfaith Habitat. After lengthy discussions with the Town of Needham, we have successfully acquired our first piece of property! Working in conjunction with the Needham Board of Selectman and the Town of Needham, we presented a plan to Needham Town Meeting Members in the Spring of 2005 to designate a vacant lot for the construction of an affordable home. Article 59 passed by an overwhelming vote during the May ’05 Town Meeting, which authorized the Board of Selectmen to set this property out to bid for non-profit affordable housing development.
In response to the Town’s bid for proposals, NIH and our affiliate Greater Boston Habitat for Humanity submitted a successful proposal which met all of the Town’s criteria for planning, funding, and non-profit affordable housing development. The contract was awarded to NIH in November ‘05 by the Needham Board of Selectmen, clearing the way to build an affordable, single-family Habitat Home on a lot on the corner of Brookline and Bancroft Streets. Quite a superb finish to a wonderful year!
In 2006, we are rolling up our sleeves to begin the fundraising process to support the home’s construction and family selection. One of our primary goals in 2006 will be to raise funds to support beginning construction. Needham Interfaith Habitat will need to raise a total of $200,000 from both individuals and businesses, to pay for materials and expenses that will not be donated or volunteered. ($70,000 has been raised, to date, from private individuals and matching donations from one grant.) We estimate another $250,000in equivalent value in volunteer services and donated materials will be required to minimize our outlay of cash for this project
Many of us have supported Habitat for Humanity over the years either with donations of money or time and talent. Now we have the opportunity to help a family right here in our own community. We have included a donation card with this letter. Please, consider becoming a part of this wonderful project by making a commitment to be a regular donor for the next year. Or, if you would prefer, make a one time donation. Please, fill out the card and send it along to us to become part of providing an affordable home for one family. Please add us to your list of worthy charitable donations for 2006. (More information on our goals, activities, how families are chosen, and tax-exempt status can be found at www.needhamhabitat.org).
If you have talents in the areas of organizational, fundraising, or home building skills, or would like to develop these skills, we would love to have you join our team and help support our efforts! Please feel free to email us at fundraising@needhamhabitat.org. We look forward to the exciting new adventure as we move towards breaking ground on this new home in April of 2007!
Sincerely yours,
The Organizing Committee Members
Needham Interfaith Habitat
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