Photo by: Brandan Roberts

We had a great turn out. It was inspiring to see that so many people care about their community, and show that through their support of HFHGCA. Pete Palmer, HFHGCA’s Executive Director, started the event with the welcome and thank you. Then Linda Mines, HFHGCA’s Board President, gave the prayer and remarks.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

We were then honored by the Capital Campaign Board Chair, Barrett Taylor, who recognized all the donors and explained the elements of being a LEED certified ReStore. Drew Myer, Senior Director ReStore at Habitat for Humanity International, gave his support from Habitat for Humanity International.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

To wrap it all up Tina Shaw Cox, Director of ReStore Operations, acknowledged and thanked everyone who helped the ReStore renovation. We would like to say a special thank you to Scott & Lisa Maclellan, the “Restore the ReStore” campaign committee, The Strauss Company, Thomas Palmer, Electric Power Board, Tennessee Valley Authority, Electric Power Research Institute, and Green Spaces.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

We would also like to say thank you to the band, Fletcher Bright and the Dismembered Tennesseans. Everyone enjoyed the entertainment and food. The ReStore team is happy to be working in the new building and we hope you come out and see it. To find more updates about the ReStore check out their website.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

If you would like to donate to the ReStore or have any questions please contact Tina Shaw Cox. Once again we appreciate all the support and are looking forward to the future. To find out more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area and find out what else we are doing check out our website. To see more photos like us on Facebook.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

The ReStore will be open for business on Tuesday July 26. We will not have the official Grand Opening until the 28th at 5:30 pm though. We invite you to come out on either or both of those dates to celebrate the Grand Opening with us. The band Fletcher Bright and the Dismembered Tennesseans will perform starting at 6pm.

We would like to say thank you to all of our volunteers and donors. A special thanks to Scott & Lisa Maclellan, The Strauss Co., Thomas Palmer, Electric Power Board, Tennessee Valley Authority, Electric Power Research Institute, and Green Spaces. We would have not been able to complete this project without your help.

If you would like to know more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area and our ReStore visit our website. To RSVP to the Grand Opening or donate to ReStore contact Tina Shaw Cox. 

“A hammer is a good item,” said Rick. He loves working with his hands and Habitat is a great way to do that. “It is a worthwhile experience to volunteer.” Rick volunteer one Saturday every month with First Christian Church, and he also comes on Thursdays with Rivermont Presbyterian Church. Rick said he keeps coming to volunteer after 23 years because he likes the people he works with and the fun that he has.

Rick favorite jobs to do while on the work site are putting up the walls and the trim. His least favorite part is painting the inside of the house. He would much rather have a hammer in his hands. Rick said he likes how Habitat is constantly changing the way they build to keep improving and growing.

Beside HFHGCA, one of Rick’s favorite activities is growing roses. He works on them with another Habitat volunteer Charlie and they grow about 125 roses. Another thing that Rick likes to do is build model railroads.

If you like to work with you as like Rick does, we encourage you to come by and volunteer. Contact Dawn Hjelseth (423) 756-0507 ext. 16 for more information. Or visit our website for information on our staff, how to volunteer, projects we have going on, and how to donate.

All of the appliances, furniture, tools, building supplies, etc are at the new ReStore. Now we just have to organize it all. We are working on putting all the merchandise in neat and organized shelves to help the shopping experience.

We also want to make the ReStore a pleasant experience for shoppers, donors, and volunteers. This new ReStore will be able to give that with all of the new features. I am excited to see everyone’s expressions on the Grand Opening.

We have really outdone ourselves with the new ReStore and I think you are going to love it. Just remember from now until July 26 the ReStore is closed so we can get everything together. I do invite you to come to our Grand Opening on the 28th at 5:30 pm.

If you would like to donate to the ReStore or have any questions contact Tina Shaw Cox (423-756-0507 ext 20) or visit our website. This update is a huge project and we want to thank all of our donors and volunteers. We still need help though, so please contact Tina to learn what you can do.

They have put selves in the middle to create isles as well as along the walls. It looks really great and it will look even better when we get all the merchandise into the new building.  Because of this move the ReStore will be closed from July 12 till the 26.

If you would like to volunteer with this moving process please contact Dawn Hjelseth. We need a lot of volunteers to help build more shelves and to move all the merchandise from the temporary ReStore back here. This has been a great project, but it does cost a lot of money. If you would like to donate please contact Tina Shaw. If you have any other questions please visit our website or call us at 423-756-0507. Help us Restore the ReStore! And help make the Chattanooga ReStore the first LEED certified ReStore in the country!

Aisha is now trying to do the same thing for her two girls, Jaenaria (8) and Kiyla (3). Aisha works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at LifeCare Centers of America of Hixson. By working hard and giving her children the best she can, she is setting an example for them. Aisha wants to show her children that anything is possible and to follow their dreams.

As an active member of Sharon Pentecostal Church of God, Aisha works with the youth to encourage them to stay in the church. Aisha organizing a praise dance team and sings in the choir at to connect with the youth and promote their involvement in the church. Aisha is motivating her church family to do better though the work that she does inside and outside the church.

Crew from State Farm working on Aisha's home.

The neighborhood that Aisha and her girls were living in was an unsafe environment, so she decided to apply for a Habitat for Humanity house. Aisha wants to give her children better opportunities and their new Habitat house will provide those for them. Their house is in a safe neighborhood so the children are able to play outside without having to be nervous, and it is bigger than their old place so there will be more room for their family to grow.

What Aisha is most excited about with her new home is the better environment for her and her family. She is glad that her girls will be safe. Aisha is also looking forward to the new opportunities that her children will have. “When I get older and am not able to do for the kids, they will have something to hold on to, a house,” said Aisha. Jaenaria and Kiyla are thrilled to have a place that they can call home with their own rooms, more space, and a better playing area.

Aisha said, “I am blessed to have this opportunity to get this new house.” She is glad for the Habitat for Humanity program, which provides homes for unprivileged families. “I am pleased with how they [Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area] help families have a better place to live and more opportunities,” said Aisha.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to families like Aisha’s please contact Dawn Hjelseth or go to our website. Also read about family Pat.

We also have a beautiful sign painted on the side so everyone know who we are.

Tina and Amy planted gorgeous flowers last week to give the ReStore more appeal. They did a great job! Thanks Tina and Amy.

Even the inside of the ReStore looks so great. With better lights and fans, our new ReStore has a feeling of a real home store like Lowe’s or Home Depot.

The ReStore is also putting in new and improved bathrooms. They are quite spacious, I can’t wait to see what they will look like when finished.

The crew also installed showroom lights so you can really see the appliances and cabinets. It will also help brighten up the entire ReStore.

The ReStore Grand opening is Thursday July 28, 2011 at 5:30 pm. Fletcher Bright and the Dismembered Tennesseans will be performing starting at 6:00 pm.

If you have any questions or would like to donate to the ReStore please contact Tina Cox or visit our website.  Help us Restore the ReStore! And help make the Chattanooga ReStore the first LEED certified ReStore in the country!

 Aisha’s ground breaking.

We also had a Fish Fry cooked for us by  Pat! We had a lot of great volunteers helping out as well. We had groups from New Blue Construction and Vision Hospitality Group giving up their time to help us out.

On Sunday, Father’s Day, we had our Lego Build Competition. We had a great turnout with about 76 teams competing and at least another 50 who just wanted to play. We had teams of all ages build the most creative thing they could think of.

We had some really cool ideas like space ships, boats, cars, houses and lots more. After everyone was done we had to sit down and pick the winner. Luck contestant # 45,  Jacob Slatton, won our grand prize of a giant set of Legos.

 This is Jacob’s tree house that he built with his father.

We had a lot of fun at this event, and we hope to do it again. Habitat was able to raise over $600 to put towards our general fund that helps our families.

If you want to be a part of more of our events or volunteer visit our website or contact Dawn Hjelseth

This was Daniel’s first time ever volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, but he said he will do it again. While on the triplex job site, Daniel helped paint, carried heavy items, installed door stops, and laid down plastic to protect the carpet.

“The crew here on the site is great,” said Daniel, referring to our construction crew leaders. “Lee and Brandon are awesome and fun.” Since this was Daniel’s first time, he was surprised with how organized everything was and how fast everything goes.

Daniel also brought his brother along to work on the triplex, and they both really enjoyed themselves. They both also participated in the 2010 Chattanooga Mud Run and they look forward to doing it again this year. The Mud Run is August 20^th and registration is open. For more information visit the website.

If you would like to help volunteer building a house please contact Dawn Hjelseth at dstoike@habichatt.org. Also visit our website to find more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area. our projects, and how to donate.

Also, if you want to know more about A Day at Habitat read about Maria and Connie.

Another big addition to the ReStore is the gate. This will help keep the building and all the merchandise safe.

Look back at more of our ReStore updates on the blog.

The new ReStore should be open in July and we are so exited. If you are interested in supporting the Restore Fund campaign contact Tina Shaw Cox at (423)756-0507 ex.20 or at tshaw@habichatt.org. Help us Restore the ReStore! And help make the Chattanooga ReStore the first LEED certified ReStore in the country!