March 22

Fauquier Habitat’s board members lent a hand March 19 at our spring Board Build day at Sterling Court!

Check out the press release (.pdf) on the event, as well as some pictures from the event on our Fauquier Habitat for Humanity Facebook page. The Fauquier Times-Democrat ran a story on the board build, complete with a picture of President T. Huntley Thorpe and Vice President David Couk hard at work!

Thank you very much to all of our volunteers for your continued effort and dedication to our mission of eradicating substandard housing in our community.

March 9, 2011

Closing Connection LLC, the Warrenton-based title insurance and property settlement specialists, has agreed to provide its expertise to future Fauquier Habitat for Humanity homeowners, teaching a class for each homeowner in the weeks prior to settlement.

The class, which will take place about two weeks prior to the planned settlement date, will teach homeowners all about the settlement papers, terms, and what to expect at settlement. John Marshall Cheatwood, founder and managing member of Closing Connection LLC, will lead each class.

“Purchasing a home is a major responsibility, and we take seriously our mission to prepare our families for the task by providing them tools and knowledge they need to be successful homeowners,” said Fauquier Habitat For Humanity Executive Director Brenda Drerenberger. “We’re grateful to John Cheatwood and Closing Connection LLC for volunteering to provide yet another key service to our prospective homeowners.”

Cheatwood, a licensed title insurance agent in Virginia, has more than three decades of experience in the settlement and title insurance arenas. He has extensive experience in commercial, residential, land acquisition and development settlements.

“My role is to make settlement as simple and straightforward as possible for the purchaser, and part of that that means educating them about the entire process,” Cheatwood said. “I’m very grateful to have this opportunity to apply my expertise in a way that both helps out new homeowners and makes a positive contribution to such a wonderful organization as Fauquier Habitat For Humanity.”

March 4, 2011

Interested in learning about the basics of remodeling a basement? Looking to get some hands-on carpentry experience while giving back to your community? Sign up for Fauquier Habitat For Humanity’s Women Build free, six-part series, “Basement Refinishing Basics.”

The seminars will be held each Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Fauquier Habitat’s headquarters, 34 Beckham Street, Warrenton.  The first session is on March 15th.

Led by Bill Mercer, the Town of Warrenton building code officer and a long-time Fauquier Habitat for Humanity supporter, the seminars will cover everything from what codes and requirements are needed to refinish a basement, to actual design and building. As part of the seminar, participants will get hands-on building experience by creating a children’s playhouse. After serving as the hands-on portion of the seminar, the playhouse will be raffled off at the Spring Festival. Proceeds will go to Fauquier Habitat Women Build.

“The seminar is a wonderful opportunity for women in the community to get introduced to Women Build, bond with other community members, and learn some valuable carpentry skills,” said Fauquier Women Build Co-chair Kim Cybulski.

“Seminars like this offer an ideal forum for teaching people relevant skills and connecting them with our organization,” added Fauquier Habitat For Humanity Executive Director Brenda Drerenberger. “Our goal is to hold seminars on a variety of construction-related topics that attendees can put to use in their own home creating another way for Fauquier Habitat to give back to our community.”

To register for the series, click here and fill out the online form. Space is limited, so don’t delay!

Questions? E-mail womenbuild@fauquierhabitat.org.

February 16, 2011

The Fauquier Habitat For Humanity Board of Directors has elected Kim Cybulski and John Suter to its Board of Directors. Cybulski and Suter will each serve three-year terms.

Cybulski, a mortgage loan originator, has been actively involved with Fauquier Habitat for Humanity for the last three years. The Hume, Va., resident also serves as the co-chair for Fauquier Women Build, the Fauquier Habitat For Humanity volunteer program for women that helps the organization with everything from fundraising to house-building.

Suter spent 20 years in the United States Air Force and another 21 years in the aerospace and defense private sector, specializing in business development. A resident of Marshall, Suter is president of the Marshall Business and Resident’s Association and a regular volunteer on Fauquier Habitat for Humanity build sites.

“As we add or replace board members whose term is ending, it is important that we find individuals that bring experience and/or background in various areas of business and the community, as well as a strong belief in Habitat for Humanity’s mission,” said Fauquier Habitat for Humanity Board President T. Huntley Thorpe. “John and Kim fill those requirements.  They both have been serving on committee’s as well as working on build sites for several years. Their business and personal backgrounds, as well as their enthusiasm for Habitat for Humanity’s mission make them ideal additions to our board.”

Added Board Vice President David E. Couk, Jr.: “The additions of John and Kim to our board will add to the positive energy that is vital for an organization like ours to continue moving forward.”

Cybulski and Suter join the board as Fauquier Habitat For Humanity begins its 20^th year serving the Fauquier and Rappahannock County communities by eliminating substandard housing. Its dedicated volunteers also are busily working on its current site build, the seven-duplex Sterling Court project in Warrenton.

As part of its 20^th anniversary celebration, the organization launched a redesigned website at www.fauquierhabitat.org. The new site features a news feed and photo albums for both Fauquier Habitat For Humanity and its Fauquier Women Build partners as well as information and sign-up instructions for volunteers. The site also will give visible recognition to the organization’s supporters, including businesses that take advantage of the newly created Title Sponsor campaign, which allows businesses to sign up to sponsor multiple Habitat for Humanity and Women Build events with one commitment.

Fauquier Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 20th year in 2011. We kicked off our anniversary celebration a few weeks early by honoring some of its longest-serving volunteers at a special event held just before Christmas. Here are some highlights from the event:

Thank you very much to each and every one of the volunteers that have helped us succeed during our first two decades!

Warrenton Lifestyle magazine’s February 2011 issue featured a three-page story on Fauquier Habitat For Humanity. Read the full story here (.pdf). Thanks very much to Warrenton Lifestyle for running the article and making it available to us for posting here!

In spite of the cold weather, volunteers are working on the rough-in on our THIRD DUPLEX. The second duplex has been drywalled and received the first coat of paint. We have deadlines of March 30th and April 30th to finish these homes, and with the hard work of our volunteers, we are on track to meet the dates.

We are looking for more help with two duplexes being done. Join us on Saturdays and Wednesday mornings for our building projects – new volunteers, with or without experience, are always welcomed. (See our VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES APPLICATION and WAIVER on our FORMS page)

Not really interested in construction, but still want to volunteer? We can use your support in other ways. Just let us know what you are interested in helping with. There are alot of jobs to do and fun to be had. For more information on how to volunteer, contact us at volunteer@fauquierhabitat.org or call us at 540-341-4952.

Fauquier Habitat for Humanity, the locally-run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, serves Fauquier and Rappahannock counties in the beautiful Piedmont of northern Virginia. If you are unable to volunteer, you can still support Habitat’s mission of providing decent, affordable houses to those who are unable to afford one on their own by donating to Fauquier Habitat for Humanity.

Fauquier Habitat has declared the month of October the official month of Fauquier Habitat for Humanity. In conjunction with the Fauquier Family Shelter and Women Build of FHFH, we have four (4) events for the community to participate in. All events are fundraisers that will benefit the building projects of Habitat.

We start the month off with the 21st Annual Golf Tournament to be held on October 4th at the Fauquier Springs Golf Club. This major fundraiser supports Fauquier Habitat for Humanity and the Fauquier Family Shelter.

Horses for Houses – Horse Show and Fall Festival will be held again this year at the Warrenton Horseshow Grounds on October 23rd. A VHSA horse show, crafters, games, food vendors, costume parade, and lots of fun for all. Free admission to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 pm.

Women Build of FHFH are holding a 10K Run/5K Walk with a 1 Mile Family Fun Run on October 17th at Fauquier High School. Registration starts at 8:00 a.m. They follow this event up with a Spooktacular Soup and Wine Event on October 31st at the Molon Lave Vineyard starting at 12:00 noon ($15 a ticket). At 3:00 there will be a Costume Contest for children and adults – free to the public.

So….lots of opportunity to have fun in October and support our mission of ridding our community of poverty housing by providing decent, simple homes to families that could not otherwise afford it without our assistance. For more information about any of the events listed above, please email us at info@fauquierhabitat.org.

On Saturday, September 11, 2010, Fauquier Habitat for Humanity celebrated another Dedication of the Schaidt Family home. This home was purchased by Fauquier Habitat for Humanity through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. It was then rehabbed by a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers and local contractors that support us in our mission. Moving into this home is the culmination of a long, difficult journey for the family – making this Dedication even more special. For more information how you can participate in this program, call us at 540-341-4952.

Saturday, August 7, 2010, we will celebrate the Groundbreaking and Building of our next duplex at Sterling Court. The Walker family and the White family will begin the building process of their long, awaited homes. This is truly a joyous event. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 – please join us if you can.