Member of the Week 9/19/2022 -- Wayne County Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Every item donated and every dollar spent at the Wayne County Habitat for Humanity ReStore goes to serve the organization’s mission of providing decent, affordable places for people to call home. Items are sold at deeply discounted prices to help build homes as well as allow most homeowners the opportunity to make repairs and improvements to their own homes. Whether it’s selling items to homeowners to make improvements or generating funds to build new homes, the ReStore is making “safe and secure housing” accessible to everyone.
THE ADDITION OF A RESTORE
In 2004, the director at the time and a board member attended a conference at Harvard University where they learned about what the Habitat ReStore was doing nationally. They formed a committee and began looking into adding a ReStore in Wayne County. At the time, the new state Route 30 was under construction. Several houses were set to be demolished as part of the project and ODOT offered some items from those houses to Habitat for Humanity to use toward their mission. And from there the ReStore had its start out of the back of a semi-trailer. The first brick-and-mortar location was on Spruce Street in an old warehouse. After 10 years, the building needed significant repairs. Habitat opted to auction the building and moved out to East Lincoln Way where they spent 6 years until the location at 2700 Akron Road became available.
“It has by far exceeded our expectations and not just the funding part but just the community being able to come in and get some affordable housing improvement items,” Beth Weaver, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity said.
HOW TO DONATE?
The ReStore can accept donations from individuals, companies, corporations, government entities and more. They encourage builders, businesses and individuals to prevent clean, reusable materials from going to waste by donating them to be repurposed. Donations can be accepted during the regular store hours Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. You can contact the ReStore Manager with donation questions, scheduling or to arrange a free pick up for large and/or bulk items in Wayne County.
SHOPPING AT THE RESTORE
The Wayne County Habitat ReStore is a second-hand improvement shop, where homeowners can find building supplies, furniture, light fixtures and more to complete home repair projects at an affordable cost. The ReStore has become the main source of income for Habitat for Humanity and allows the organization to purchase more materials and continue to build more homes.
“Just remember when you are shopping and donating that it’s going to a bigger cause than just a thrift store,” Weaver said.
The Wayne County Habitat ReStore is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Keep an eye on their Facebook page to find any items that are unique and of particular interest to shoppers.
BUILDING HOMES
Currently, Habitat for Humanity in Wayne County is currently working on a home build at 206 East Bowman Street. They are working on the final touches and will be announcing an open house and the house dedication soon.
Their next project will be located on Madison Hill for a family that the organization has been working with for a while.
Habitat builds homes at a reduced cost to families with limited incomes who are willing to contribute their own “sweat equity” in the building process for themselves and for others. The homes are sold with no-interest loans to families who complete the Habitat partnership requirements.
VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE
Volunteers at the Wayne County Habitat ReStore greet customers, help with donation intake, and cleaning and merchandising of new products. All of the cashiers are volunteers and each takes a regular shift to help out each week in the store. It is estimated that the volunteers save the organization about $50,000 per house. Especially with the rising of materials, the volunteers are what allows Habitat for Humanity to continue building houses.
For more information about volunteering complete the form at https://waynehabitat.org/restore/volunteer.html or contact Nikki Nemerovsky, Community Outreach Specialist at 330-264-4999.
UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS
The Leaf is hosting a Low Country Boil on Saturday, September 24 from 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. that will benefit Habitat for Humanity in Wayne County. Enjoy crawfish, shrimp, mussels, clams, sausage, corn, potatoes, beer, music, a 50/50 raffle, and more!! They will have their garage doors open to purchase additional drinks in a D.O.R.A. cup. Phil N’ the Blank will be performing from 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/low-country-boil-tickets-395571052667
Register your Custom, Classic, Street Rod, Muscle Car or Truck for the 3rd Annual Artiflex Car Show. On Sunday, September 25, Artiflex is hosting a car show that will benefit Habitat for Humanity. The event is free to the public and will include a live DJ, food trucks, a caricature artist and more!
Follow the Wayne County Habitat ReStore on Facebook at @waynecountyhabitat to keep up to date on what is available in the store and follow Habitat for Humanity at @waynecohabitatforhumanity to see what projects they are working on.
