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It's A Team Effort - July 2020
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Left to right: Todd Valeri, CEO of American Ambulance, Matthew Grundy, CEO of Habitat,
 and Casey Jenkins, Director of Support for American Ambulance (photo taken pre-COVID).
American Ambulance Comes to the Rescue!

“We contemplated selling it,” Todd Valeri, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Ambulance recalled as he thought back to the modular ambulance they were retiring. It included multiple compartments for countless supplies and a hydraulic lift capable of lifting 1,000 pounds.
 
Then, he heard about Habitat’s Emergency Essentials Delivery Program that helps low-income families or individuals during a state of emergency when their most basic needs aren't being met.

Hence, to efficiently run the program, Habitat desperately needed a supply vehicle to safely hold many bags of food and cleaning supplies for delivery.

“As Habitat described the Emergency Essentials Delivery Program and all it would do to help people in our community,” Todd related, “it dawned on me that we needed to donate, not sell, that vehicle to Habitat because there wasn’t a better investment with a greater long-term payoff for our community than that.”

“It was that simple," said Matthew Grundy, CEO of Habitat Greater Fresno Area. “Once Todd realized the impact his donation was going to have on our ability to serve the community, he basically handed over the keys on behalf of the company and said ‘get going’ – now that is a big heart!”

We cannot thank American Ambulance, and its 700 employees that serve Fresno and Kings County from the Sierras to West Fresno, enough for their generosity!
Ambulance Transformed Into Mobile Unit! 
Ralph Rodriguez, Army veteran, thanks Habitat for its support!
Speaking of Impact

“It was a surprise, and it came in real handy,” Ralph Rodriguez replied when asked what he thought of Habitat’s Emergency Essentials Delivery Program.

You see, Ralph is 85-years-old, he is an Army veteran and he and his wife, Helen, have lived in the same home for 60 years. “Habitat called me out of the blue and asked if I needed food items and cleaning supplies,” he remembers. Indeed, Ralph needed both because it was too dangerous for him to go to the store himself due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ralph knew, due to ongoing health concerns, he wouldn’t be able to stand in the long lines people were experiencing at the store as the pandemic began. So, they had to do without.
                                                                                                    
This was not the first time Ralph and Helen had experienced a surprise from Habitat. Two years ago, their aging home desperately needed weatherization repairs. Ralph read about the Habitat Home Preservation Program, applied and within weeks, Habitat volunteers came to their home and caulked all the windows and doors. The improvements not only made their home more comfortable, but they also now enjoy lower utility bills.

“Some people aren’t aware of the Habitat programs, but they are so important for low-income people,” Ralph pointed out. “Habitat is wonderful.”

Since the program was activated in April, Habitat has served nearly 135 families. If you know of anyone in need of emergency services, please go here to learn more.
We Can Sure Use Your Muscle Power!
 
Habitat has been hard at work delivering its primary mission to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through safe and decent shelter in the communities we serve.

One of our biggest needs right now is for volunteers to help us love our neighbors by completing minor exterior beautification projects, such as painting, landscaping, window washing and more!

Volunteers are needed every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This is a great volunteer opportunity for small groups and individuals to help improve existing housing conditions and spur neighborhood revitalization.

No experience is needed--just the desire to help others. Habitat staff will be on-site to show you the ropes.
  Measures in place to protect you against COVID-19
Project sites follow strict safety procedures based on local, state and CDC guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19. Volunteers will be asked to practice social distancing guidelines and wear face coverings (personal or provided by Habitat Greater Fresno Area) when unable to maintain at least six feet of social distance. 

Stop by ReStore First and Save!

For all of you do-it-yourselfers working on a summer project on a dime, let Habitat ReStore be your first stop. With three convenient locations to serve you (see locations here), you will find just about anything you need to finish that project, or maybe even a gem to begin your next one.

Remember, shopping at a Habitat ReStore is unlike a shopping experience you’d have anywhere else. Part home improvement store, part home goods store, part resale store, each ReStore has a wide selection that changes often. You benefit because you get fantastic new and gently used home improvement items below retail prices, and the community benefits because net proceeds directly support a variety of Habitat programs.

So, what you can expect to find:

  • Appliances and fixtures
  • Building materials
  • Used furniture
  • And other special items

If you are looking for something specific, call our general ReStore number at (559) 237-7867 or email info@HabitatFresno.org.

Speaking of ReStore - Need to Donate Stuff?

Habitat ReStore staff and volunteers make the donation process as simple as possible. You can always donate goods in person to any one of our locations, or arrange for a free pickup of large items.

The process to donate is super easy. Here's how it works!

  1. To schedule a pickup of commercial or residential items, please go here.
  2. If you have questions or prefer not to utilize our online scheduling system, please call (559) 237-7867, or email Torin Blount here.
  3. If you would like to donate and deliver items in person, go here to find a location that works best for you.
Habitat ReStore accepts new and gently used appliances, furniture, building materials, household goods and more from individuals and companies. 

Of course, if you have questions about anything ReStore related, call our general number at (559) 237-7867 or email info@HabitatFresno.org.
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Copyright © 2020 Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area
Our mailing address is:
Habitat for Humanity Greater Fresno Area
4991 East McKinley Avenue, Suite 123
Fresno, CA 93727

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