Monday, September 29, 2008

NASCAR Driver Jennifer Jo Cobb Will Race to Benefit Heartland Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 24, 2008

Contact: Kate Fields
Volunteer Coordinator
Office: 913.342.3047
kate@heartlandhabitat.org




NASCAR Driver Jennifer Jo Cobb Will Race to Benefit Heartland Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build

September 27, 2008 – Kansas City, Kan. – NASCAR driver Jennifer Jo Cobb, Kansas City, Kan. native, has teamed up with Heartland Habitat for Humanity as the spokeswoman for the 2009 Women Build. On September 27, 2008 at the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Kansas Speedway, Cobb will race to raise awareness for the 2009 Women Build house. Cobb’s major sponsors are Providence Medical Center, and Saint John Hospital, both important local community organizations.

“We are so excited to have Jen on our team,” said Delia Hernandez, HHfH Development Director. “She is from KCK, she knows how important Heartland Habitat’s work is to the community and she is ready to help us build a house with all women volunteers to help a family in need.”

Cobb will be racing with the Heartland Habitat for Humanity logo on her car, and will be collecting donations at media events before the race. Join her at the Legends Shopping Center this Thursday, September 25th, from 5-8 p.m. She’ll be signing autographs and Habitat will be there to answer questions and collect donations.

“The services that Heartland Habitat provides our community are irreplaceable,” Cobb said. “With Women Build, we are encouraging women who may never have considered building a home to become involved. We’re teaching them new skills and we’re building a brand-new home for a family who wouldn’t have had the opportunity to own a home of their own. I’m thrilled to be a part of the 2009 Women Build.”

The HHfH Women Build program enables women from all walks of life to be the primary volunteers on an HHfH build site. On a Women Build site, women are encouraged by other women to tackle all aspects of construction and quickly become skilled, engaged volunteers and crew leaders. Women working on this home will also work closely with families earning the volunteer hours required to purchase a Heartland Habitat home.

This is a great team building opportunity for both corporate groups and individuals. There is currently a need for volunteers and for funding. To become a volunteer, sponsor, or to make a contribution, please contact HHfH Volunteer Coordinator Kate Fields, 913-342-3047 or kate@heartlandhabitat.org.

About Heartland Habitat for Humanity
Heartland Habitat for Humanity was formed in 2006 from a merger between Northland Habitat for Humanity and Kaw Valley Habitat for Humanity. Serving Clay and Platte counties in Missouri, and Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth counties in Kansas, Heartland’s mission is to build simple, decent homes and communities in partnership with God’s people in need while following Biblical principles.

###

1401 Fairfax Traffic Way, Suite 323D • Kansas City, KS 66115 • www.heartlandhabitat.org

Project Postponement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 21, 2008




Contact: Sarah McMillian
Development Coordinator
Office: 913.342.3047
sarah@heartlandhabitat.org


HEARTLAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO POSTPONE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE HOMES DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING

August 21, 2008 – Kansas City, Kansas – Heartland Habitat for Humanity announced Monday that they were potentially faced with postponing two major projects, the 2008 Women Build and 2008 Youth Build, due to a lack of funding. Both projects, scheduled to begin this fall, struggle to raise the funds needed to build the homes. It is expected that they will now begin in early spring, 2009.

Heartland Habitat Executive Director Tom Lally said he sees this as both a hurdle and an opportunity. “It’s difficult to tell two very deserving families with an immediate housing need that it’s going to be several more months until we can help them build and purchase a home. At the same time, this creates a chance for us to reach more people to seek funding and involvement, and in doing so spread our mission even further.”

“The slowing economy has affected the amount of donations we receive,” said HHFH Development Director Delia Hernandez. “We know the need in our community is great, and we will continue serving our community despite these projects being temporarily put on hold.” Hernandez said she expects that through creative community outreach the needed funds will be available in time for the projects to begin in early 2009. She also asked that anyone interested in making a donation please contact the Heartland Habitat for Humanity office.

Heartland Habitat for Humanity builds homes using volunteer labor, donated funds and donated materials. The homes are sold to qualifying partner families with no profit and affordable 0% interest loans. Mortgage payments are invested back into the program, helping to build additional new homes across Heartland’s target areas. Homeowners are required to invest 350 hours of sweat equity in the construction of their homes, partnering with other families and completing homeowner education classes.

To make a gift of time or money, please contact Heartland Habitat at 913-342-3047.

About Heartland Habitat for Humanity
Heartland Habitat for Humanity was formed in 2006 from a merger between Northland Habitat for Humanity and Kaw Valley Habitat for Humanity. Serving Clay and Platte counties in Missouri, and Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth counties in Kansas, Heartland’s mission is to build simple, decent homes and communities in partnership with God’s people in need while following biblical principles.

###

1401 Fairfax Traffic Way, Suite 323D • Kansas City, KS 66115 • www.heartlandhabitat.org
913-342-3047 (Office) • 913-342-4459 (Fax)