(June 29, 2017) A sold-out crowd of about 150 attended the first Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County “Dinner of Jefferson” event last Friday, raising more than $15,000 for the nonprofit.
The outdoor, farm-to-table dinner featured 10 courses with more than two dozen local restaurants and businesses donating their time, ingredients and expertise to benefit the construction of a new mixed-use building on Jefferson Street in downtown Berlin.
The plan is to develop two spaces for artist studios and retail spaces on the ground floor, with two three-bedroom apartments overhead.
Habitat Executive Director Andrea Bowland credited Berlin Economic and Community Development Ivy Wells with the idea for the dinner, and said the town has provided unwavering support, both for this project and for the organization.
“This is a first for our Habitat for Humanity affiliations and a first for a lot of Habitat for Humanity affiliates,” Bowland said on Friday. “It provides us the opportunity to put affordable housing in a downtown corridor by providing a mixed-use space, and it also provides something that is very needed in Berlin, which is business space.”
She said more fundraising for the project would be announced shortly.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams told the crowd they were all “lucky kids,” regardless of age, to be a part of the Berlin community right now.
“Berlin is experiencing tonight … because we don’t limit ourselves based on what we think is possible, but what we believe we can do together. Don’t ever forget that,” he said. “Citizenship, change for the better, a community that cares for each other – these are all things that require citizens who are participants in America. And I hope that we can be an example, just like tonight, of what is possible.”
He said he was proud to work with Habitat for Humanity and called the corner building the nonprofit planned to build “an intersection of social progress and the arts and of commercial vitality.”
“How lucky are we,” he said. “I thank every one of you for your support for this project and for all of the things that you make possible.”
Habitat Board President Matthew Manos thanked the donors and businesses that made the event possible and called on attendees to volunteer in future efforts.
He said the nonprofit needed people to help coordinate sponsorship programs and work with local businesses, to help with marketing and graphic design, and to assist with logistics.
Partner families need help with “demystifying the process” of homeownership, Manos said, including explaining insurance, escrow, loan repayment. He said volunteers with construction backgrounds were needed to build Habitat properties, and others were needed to help build and nurture relationships at trade shows and connect with local churches and faith-based organizations.
“All of that factors into what we do as an affiliate,” he said. “If you know people who want to get involved, tell them to reach out to Andrea through our website or talk to one of us on the board and we’ll definitely find ways to get you all involved,” he said.
For more information or to donate to Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County, visit www.habitatworcester.org.
The outdoor, farm-to-table dinner featured 10 courses with more than two dozen local restaurants and businesses donating their time, ingredients and expertise to benefit the construction of a new mixed-use building on Jefferson Street in downtown Berlin.
The plan is to develop two spaces for artist studios and retail spaces on the ground floor, with two three-bedroom apartments overhead.
Habitat Executive Director Andrea Bowland credited Berlin Economic and Community Development Ivy Wells with the idea for the dinner, and said the town has provided unwavering support, both for this project and for the organization.
“This is a first for our Habitat for Humanity affiliations and a first for a lot of Habitat for Humanity affiliates,” Bowland said on Friday. “It provides us the opportunity to put affordable housing in a downtown corridor by providing a mixed-use space, and it also provides something that is very needed in Berlin, which is business space.”
She said more fundraising for the project would be announced shortly.
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams told the crowd they were all “lucky kids,” regardless of age, to be a part of the Berlin community right now.
“Berlin is experiencing tonight … because we don’t limit ourselves based on what we think is possible, but what we believe we can do together. Don’t ever forget that,” he said. “Citizenship, change for the better, a community that cares for each other – these are all things that require citizens who are participants in America. And I hope that we can be an example, just like tonight, of what is possible.”
He said he was proud to work with Habitat for Humanity and called the corner building the nonprofit planned to build “an intersection of social progress and the arts and of commercial vitality.”
“How lucky are we,” he said. “I thank every one of you for your support for this project and for all of the things that you make possible.”
Habitat Board President Matthew Manos thanked the donors and businesses that made the event possible and called on attendees to volunteer in future efforts.
He said the nonprofit needed people to help coordinate sponsorship programs and work with local businesses, to help with marketing and graphic design, and to assist with logistics.
Partner families need help with “demystifying the process” of homeownership, Manos said, including explaining insurance, escrow, loan repayment. He said volunteers with construction backgrounds were needed to build Habitat properties, and others were needed to help build and nurture relationships at trade shows and connect with local churches and faith-based organizations.
“All of that factors into what we do as an affiliate,” he said. “If you know people who want to get involved, tell them to reach out to Andrea through our website or talk to one of us on the board and we’ll definitely find ways to get you all involved,” he said.
For more information or to donate to Habitat for Humanity of Worcester County, visit www.habitatworcester.org.