United Church Kicks Off February Habitat for Humanity Campaign

For over the last 44 years, the United Church of Marco Island has been a giver to Habitat for Humanity in Collier County, fundraising over $1.5 million. According to Samantha Arago, “this year we celebrate 45 years of partnership with Habitat for Humanity.”

On Sunday, February 4th, a home dedication took place at one of Habitat’s newest communities, Whitaker Woods, with Reverend Mark Williams giving the blessing during the ceremony. UCMI’s giving made some of the homes at Whitaker Woods possible.  

Also, according to Arago, UCMI’s Women’s Fellowship got involved in the fun by hosting a bake sale before and after the worship on February 5th with the proceeds being added to the campaign. Pastor Mark announced that the bake sale raised $24,100 for the Habitat for Humanity fundraising campaign.

Karen Blackwell and Trish Nash will be leading this campaign throughout the month of February. In recent years, UCMI has raised over six figures for Habitat for Humanity, and they are looking forward to another outstanding total by month’s end.

Reverend Dr. Mark Williams shared the following comments: “United Church of Marco Island recognizes the affordable housing crisis in Collier County to be very challenging for working families. Our annual support of Habitat for Humanity provides a safe, comfortable home for a neighbor. The love of our neighbors stands at the heart of our Christian mission as a church.”

“Heaven is described as a home. When it comes to United Church’s long-standing partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we’d like to think that every time we are able to provide a home for someone in need, heaven comes to earth. And when heaven comes to earth, there is such joy, not just for us but for our community.”

“When you get the home right everything else follows. A safe home leads to a better family life, a better career, and a better future. At United Church, we recognize this to be true. Watching a family thrive following the blessing of a new Habitat for Humanity home is deeply fulfilling for all of us.”

Michelle Hennessy of the Mission’s Committee added that “for many years, the Missions Committee has felt strongly that United Church of Marco should do all it can to help provide affordable housing. We agree with the Mission of Habitat for Humanity.”

Hennessy continued, “Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have at least a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all. Habitat for Humanity has proven that good communities are developed when people are given the opportunity to live in a safe environment. And when children are raised in a safe, loving home, they thrive and become responsible adults.”

In Collier County, Habitat for Humanity has been serving families since April 1978 and has built more than 2,000 homes. It is part of a global nonprofit housing organization operating on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building communities and hope. They are dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter condition.

At Whitaker Woods, construction will be complete by 2024.  Frequently asked question is: Do families receive their home for free? According to Habitat for Humanity, all Habitat homeowners undergo a rigorous approval process and must contribute 500 hours of sweat equity helping to build their homes and the homes of their neighbors. They attend homeownership and budgeting classes and make a down payment and their first year’s insurance payment before closing. They sign a no-interest mortgage and make affordable monthly payments to purchase their homes over an average term of 30 years.

How can you help?  If you are interested in donating to Habitat for Humanity of Collier County you may visit their website at: www.habitatcollier.org or through the United Church of Marco Island’s website.