Feb. 1997 Newsletter
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February 1997 Volume 3.1
Habitat for Humanity
of Roswell
P.O. Box 254
Roswell, NM
(505) 624-2138
On The Level

From the President

Habitat for Humanity has coined the phrase "the theology of the hammer" to express the need of Habitat volunteers around the world to put aside differences and work in partnership with one another. Our Board of Directors met a few weeks ago to amend our by-laws and discovered the value of this principle.
Though we belong to different faiths and hold differing beliefs, though we have diverse opinions politically, philosophically, and theologically - we found common ground in using a hammer as an instrument of love and justice.
May our affiliate apply "the theology of the hammer" and enjoy the opportunity to work in partnership with one another until poverty housing is eliminated from our community, our nation, and our world.

Why Habitat?

Recent poverty figures show that 15.7 million American children are living in poverty - the highest number in three decades. For the past two decades, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, homelessness has increased faster among families with children than among any other group of Americans. Homeless children have higher rates of infant mortality, school absenteeism, more severe health problems, and a reduced chance of being immunized than other poor children. Children without permanent housing suffer physically, emotionally, and educationally, according to a report by the Children's Defense Fund.

Second Habitat Family Selected

Habitat for Humanity of Roswell proudly announces the selection of our second Habitat family: Rodolfo and Elsa Palma. The Palmas have been married for three years and have a six month old son, Isaac. Elsa was born in the US and has lived in Roswell four years. Both of the Palmas' mothers live in town and help take care of Isaac. Rodolfo has lived in the United States for ten years and is studying for his citizenship test. Rodolfo and Elsa are both employed by Marriott Food Services at Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell. Elsa also has an ice cream vending service and is attending ENMU-R where she will graduate in May with a degree in computer application systems. The Palmas are very excited about their selection as the second Habitat for Humanity of Roswell family.
Construction on our first Habitat house for the Peña family at 6002 S. Schneider continues. Currently the crew is finishing the interior sheetrock. We wish to especially thank Sandy Redden of Redden Plumbing and Heating for completing the plumbing and heating work at a very modest price. We would also like to thank Rite-Way Insulation for their donation of the labor to insulate the house. After completion of the sheetrock, installation of the kitchen and finish carpentry for the house will begin. Currently, Habitat for Humanity of Roswell is raising funds to connect the water and sewer services to the house and to pay for the kitchen and flooring materials. We also need individuals with sheetrock experience to join the building crew.
Families are selected solely by Habitat for Humanity of Roswell and make down payments in cash and sweat equity. Each family contributes five hundred hours of volunteer labor to build their home and the homes of others. Upon completion of construction, the home is sold to the selected family. Habitat for Humanity of Roswell holds the mortgage and deposits mortgage payments in a revolving fund used to build houses for more Habitat families.
Habitat for Humanity of Roswell also wishes to thank Doug Ylarraz and Norwest Bank for the donation of three lots in the 600 block of South Michigan, one of which was selected by the Palmas for their new home. More thanks go out to John Buckmister at IKON Office Solutions, Inc., for providing our new office with a fax machine, David West and Nova BUS INCORPORATED for donating a new copy of MicroSoft Office computer software, and Bob Bush of Roswell Online who produced a web page for Habitat for Humanity of Roswell. Whatever your business, Habitat can probably use your product or services. Call 624-2138 to find out how your donations can help eliminate poverty housing in Roswell.
As we near completion of our first house at 6002 S. Schneider, we need more members on the building crew. To join them, meet at the site every Saturday morning at 8:00 am or call Ernie at 625-5454 or 623-8106. If you wish to help but can't make the building crew, join us at our next Board meeting on Monday, February 10, 1997, at 6:30 pm at The Coffee Bar, 305 N. Main. We look forward to seeing you then.

Calendar Board of Directors
Tom MacMillan - President
Sandy Beedle - Secretary
Karen Baker- Treasurer
Joletha Alford
Ernie Braunschweig
Mary Ann Dann
Crystal d’Entremont
Keith Pacely
Mary Wiggins

Newsletter Editor:
Georgellen Burnett

Giving isn't really charity. It's only sharing in a little more fair way what's been given for all of us to live on.

FEBRUARY

  1 Building Committee Meeting 6002 S. Schneider (Job Site) Every Saturday - 8:00 am.

10 Board of Directors Meeting The Coffee Bar, 305 N. Main, 6:30 pm. All welcome.

11 Development Committee Meeting, Habitat Office, 101 N. Pennsylvania - 7:00 pm.

18 Family Selection/Nurture Committee Meeting - First Presbyterian Church, 400 W. Third - 7:00 pm.

MARCH

  1 Building Committee Meeting 6002 S. Schneider (Job Site) Every Saturday - 8:00 am.

10 Board of Directors Meeting The Coffee Bar, 305 N. Main, 6:30 pm. All welcome.

11 Development Committee Meeting, Habitat Office, 101 N. Pennsylvania - 7:00 pm.

18 Family Selection/Nurture Committee Meeting - First Presbyterian Church, 400 W. Third - 7:00 pm.

Logo WE NEED YOUR FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO HELP US BUILD HOUSES FOR PEOPLE IN NEED IN ROSWELL.
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