SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEER

Skip Bond

Sping 2005 - Skip is a relative newcomer to the area. He grew up in the mid-west and spent most of his working life near Frederick MD. He worked for the federal government as a librarian in a scientific organization, mostly managing computer systems and associated information technology.

Skip got involved with Rapidan Habitat about a year after coming to Lake of the Woods. Being new to the area & retired, he was looking for a way to get acquainted and help area community charities. A call to the Orange Co. help line eventually turned into a job working on the newsletter. At that time, we were working on the Stafford house -- the 3 rd house that RHH built. As we have grown (he has watched at least 15 houses go up), he has become significantly more involved, particularly during the ’99-01 period when the organization was attempting to function under an executive director mode of operation. During that time he was Board member, treasurer, member of nominating committee and executive committee, mailing list keeper, grant manager, and also handled other administrative activities.

Currently, Skip is chair of the Family Support Committee. This group takes over communication with families that have received or will be receiving a house. It co-ordinates interactions regarding ongoing issues such as maintenance, taxes, insurance, and Habitat affiliate activities. It also works with the families who are waiting for and/or working on a house. He also continues to develop grant applications, maintain the mailing list and interaction with our mailing contractor, function as assistant treasurer, some computer-related activities, and “other duties as assigned”.

As you can see from these jobs, Skip contrasts with Bill Nowers who was described in last summers newsletter. Bill represents the house-building side and Skip works on the behind-the-scenes Habitat activities that most folks outside the organization don’t see. So if you have thought about becoming a RHH volunteer, but aren’t interested or skilled in house-building, you can see that there are plenty of other jobs that you might be able to help with.

Spotlight on Volunteers

Meet Bill, the Builder
Summer 2004 - If you’ve got children or grandchildren of a certain age, you surely have heard of Bob, the Builder. He’s a cartoon guy in a hard hat and with a tool belt. We’d like you to know a real builder, Bill Nowers. He’s the head of Rapidan Habitat for Humanity’s Building Committee, and a harder worker you will not find.

Bill got involved with Rapidan Habitat for Humanity after he retired for the 2nd time! He spent 30 years as a Navy aviator and carrier pilot. Ask Bill sometime to tell you about life as a carrier pilot. It was pretty exciting! Building things was just a hobby.

When Bill retired from the Navy, he got a contractor’s license and built spec houses and custom houses in Fairfax for many years. He later specialized in additions and home improvements. While in N. VA, Bill was very involved with his church, and did a lot of volunteer work with them.

About 8 or 9 years ago, Bill retired again. He and his wife, Millie moved to Lake of the Woods. Shortly after moving to the Lake, the LOW Church was working on a Habitat house on Rt. 20 and Bill helped. From there, Bill has gotten more and more involved. Along with Bud Dominick and Harold Thompson, the Building Committee work is just about full time!

Bill serves on the Board of Directors for Rapidan Habitat. He helps with fund raising and site selection as well. Building the “Dream House” at LOW was one of Bill’s great ideas. His real expertise is building and creation, but Bill is never one to sit back, and if he sees a need, he’ll step in. That is the true definition of a volunteer…one who sees a need and steps right in.

All the families who work with Habitat also work with Bill. He works with families and is always willing to teach novice volunteers. Experienced volunteers are also welcome!! Call Bill Nowers (972-3966 or eaglebill@juno.com) if you’ve got time to give, or talents to share.

Thanks Bill, for all your hard work!

Shed Building=Fun in the Sun!

April 2004 - Volunteers of all ages came out to build storage sheds for our summer 4 house build. Each of our four houses will have a small storage shed for lawn mowers, bicycles, yard tools, etc. Our Habitat homes do not include a basement, and storage space is very limited. A shed is needed to keep up with all the tools for good home maintenance.

One volunteer group came from Woodberry Forest School. Led by Scott Tumperi, they completed 1 shed, and helped on the other three. Woodberry Forest donated $250 towards the cost of materials. Another group, led by Cindy Reid, was made up of high schoolers from People to People. There were also other high school age volunteers, as well as Habitat adult supervisors. Last, but certainly not least, 2 of our partner families for the summer build came to work that day.

The sheds that were not completed on the work day were substantially finished the next week by Bill Nowers and others. Each of the 4 partner families will shingle and paint their storage shed as part of their required sweat equity. The shed building day was a wonderful start to an exciting 2004 Blitz-Build!

Soon after the sheds were finished volunteer crews pored the footers and built the foundations for each house to be ready for the WoodWorks crews.

Thanks to all our terrific volunteers!!

The Cost of Living in Poverty

Issue #1: A ffordable Housing.
Orange County has an estimated population of 28,970 (US Census, July 2004) with 8.6 % of the population living in poverty. Median income is estimated at $57,000.

Issue #2: Health.
It is estimated that more than 780 people living in Orange County do not have complete indoor plumbing.

Issue #3: Daily Survival.
Low incomes leave many families in a constant struggle to meet life's daily needs.

Issue #4: Education.
 Substandard housing is a barrier to learning. Census Bureau data (2003) indicates that 12.3% of children (new born to 17 years of age) live in poverty in Orange County. Without emotional safety, there can be no learning. For students, adequate housing ranks high on the scale of psychological security.

Issue #5: Stability.
 Safe secure housing helps create stable lives for adult and children family members.