Jean and Lydia Coicou purchased their Habitat home in 1999. They had placed a bid on a FNMA foreclosure and lost it, and their spirits were low when a co-worker told Lydia Coicou about the Habitat for Humanity program. Habitat homeowners must qualify for the program by meeting certain financial thresholds, contributing $1,200 toward their closing costs, investing 250 “sweat equity” hours in Habitat volunteer opportunities, and successfully completing a series of homeowner education classes. “We were surprised and elated when we got the call from Habitat that we had been approved for the program!” said Lydia. Upon satisfying their mortgage she added, “Our next financial goal is to save for our son’s educational expenses.”

Saving for college, paying off car loans and saving for remodeling are some of the goals Habitat homeowners mention when making their final mortgage payment. Habitat homes are sold at their appraised value, at no profit to the organization, with zero-interest mortgages, resulting in mortgage payments that are approximately half of what most families had been paying in rent. “The Fort Myers/Cape Coral rental market is one of the most expensive in the nation. The median price of a 2-bedroom apartment is $996 per month, well over half of most low-income families’ take home pay,” explains Green. “Habitat’s program results in financially healthier families that are better able to take care of themselves, reducing demand for other supportive services such as food assistance.”

The mortgage burning ceremony will take place at Habitat’s administrative offices at 1288 Tamiami Trail in N. Ft. Myers at 5:15 p.m. on February 28. The public is invited to attend. For more information about Habitat homeownership please call (239) 652-0434 or fill out an interest form online at http://habitat4humanity.org/become-a-homeowner.

“Our fundraiser has been an opportunity for all of us to share our blessings with the less fortunate families in our community and have a great time while we do it,” explains Bill Lentz, the chairman of Shadow Wood’s 26-member Community Committee. Lentz coordinates the fundraising, communications and construction efforts of the residents on behalf of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. He also serves on the organization’s board of directors.

In addition to the golf tournament, the residents also host a chance drawing and conduct a letter-writing campaign. Thirty-eight couples serve as neighborhood captains for the fundraising campaign.

“We could not accomplish what we do without the dedication and generosity of folks like the residents of Shadow Wood,” says Habitat CEO Kitty Green. “The communities that have galvanized to support our mission of providing decent, affordable homes to people in need so that they may build better lives for their families have contributed literally millions of dollars and through their efforts built scores of homes. We are very excited for Shadow Wood nearing this milestone and have every confidence in their ability to reach that million dollar mark!”

Donations to Shadow Wood’s efforts, and the fundraising campaigns of other communities and groups, can be made online at http://habitat4humanity.org.

Together they have raised over $2.6 million dollars and built 54 homes since 1996 and this winter they are building side by side on three homesites in Renaissance at Rosemary Park.

Bonita Bay was the first of the three communities to get involved with Habitat. Their fundraising efforts began in 1996 with an annual golf tournament. Several years later a coordinated program of letter writing developed and a chance drawing with high quality prizes was added. Nowadays a dedicated group of more than 50 neighborhood captains go door-to-door and oversee the mailing of hundreds of brochures to Bonita Bay residents. Volunteers come out every year to work on the Habitat homes. On January 7, Bonita Bay volunteers raise the walls on their 27^th home.

Residents of Pelican Landing have been hard at work on their Habitat home since November. This will be the 10^th home the community has sponsored since 2003. They began construction on their Rosemary Park home November 5 and hosted a fundraising kickoff onsite just days later, within the walls of the home.

In between the two, Shadow Wood residents are moving right along on their Habitat build. They begin building their 21^st home on December 1 and will launch their fundraising campaign on January 10. Shadow Wood’s residents will host a community golf tournament and dinner on February 16 as they work toward surpassing the million dollar mark for their community.

The Bonita Springs community of Miromar Lakes has been Habitat supporters since 2003. Residents will be working on a rehab this season on Lincoln Avenue in Bonita Springs. They launched their fundraising efforts with a casino night event and began work on their Habitat home January 4.

GAF and Colonial Roofing, Inc. will be providing roofing materials and professional installation for all three homes. The donation is part of a national partnership between GAF and Habitat for Humanity, to match roofing materials donations from GAF with installation services donated by GAF Master Elite® and Certified™ Contractors in communities across the United States.

To support any or all of these communities’ fundraising efforts, donations can be made online at http://habitat4humanity.org/donate/donate-now-2/.  Donors are able to choose which effort to support.

Habitat has opened a new ReStore location at 27821 S. Tamiami Trail in Bonita Springs and will be hosting a Grand Opening celebration on January 21, 2012. Bonita Springs was chosen for several reasons, among them being the proximity to its many supporters in Bonita. “This location will make it more convenient for them to donate to,” says Green.

The Bonita ReStore will carry furniture, appliances and home improvement materials. While there are numerous thrift stores in the Bonita area, few of them carry that type of merchandise.  “We will accept donations of clothing and books,” explains Vice President of ReStore Donna Clavin, “and we will offer them for sale at our ReStore in N. Ft. Myers. Here in Bonita we will focus on household items.”

The Bonita Springs ReStore is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to arrange for pick-up of large donations, call 239-652-0388.

Denis Noah

The organization has also added two new members to its Board of Directors: Mitch Hutchcraft, vice president of real estate for King Ranch/Consolidated Citrus and Cheryl King, sales associate for Palm Toyota. Each board member serves a 4-year term.

Students purchased either a hammer for $1.00 or a house for $5.00 (made of paper).  They placed their names on the items they purchased and then filled the bulletin board with their donated items. 

The student’s teacher, Kitty Cronin said, “I just believe children need to be connected to their community and realize they can play an important role in helping others. Children enjoy being involved and helping. Small contributions add up quickly. There were four wonderful fourth and fifth grade girls who did all the work collecting every morning. They were thrilled to help and did an awesome job!”

Paula Schenz, Director of Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity was very impressed with the classmates giving attitude and fundraising abilities.  Schenz commented, “Habitat for Humanity is very grateful for the donations that these young children provided.  Their generous attitude allows Habitat to provide a hand up in our community with the ultimate goal of eliminating substandard housing.” 

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties’ mission is to provide affordable homeownership to low-income individuals with zero interest mortgages. Partnering families must commit to 250 sweat equity hours, pay $1,200 toward closing cost and qualify for a mortgage.  For further information call (239) 652-0434 or visit www.habitat4humanity.org.

He said, “We know that the real estate business is struggling right now, but there are a lot of people in our community, a lot worse off than we are.   Woodyard & Associates feels committed to helping those folks, and we invite other real estate companies and individuals to give a helping hand up to those in need in our community.  Even if you are not in a position to donate cash, your time and energy as a volunteer would be very helpful to Habitat for Humanity.” 

Green commented, “Habitat is very appreciative of this gracious gift from Woodyard & Associates.  Every gift we receive furthers the mission of Habitat.”

Habitat sells its homes to qualifying, low-income families that have completed its program requirements, with zero-interest mortgage payments that don’t exceed 30% of the buyer’s income.  In the last nine months, the organization has handed over the keys to 50 families, and 38 more families are currently approved for homeownership and are completing the Habitat homeownership program.

Habitat’s homeownership requirements include 250 sweat equity hours, payment of $1,200 toward closing costs and mandatory attendance at homeowner training classes. Through the use of volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, homes are sold to the home owners at no profit with an interest-free mortgage making homeownership a reality.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties is one of the largest affiliates in the country, and it has provided more than 1,164 families in Lee and Hendry counties the opportunity to own their own home.  For further information please visit Habitat at www.habitat4humanity.org or call (239) 652-0434.

Green stated, “FineMark Bank understands the tremendous need for affordable homeownership in our community, and they know that without cash, Habitat cannot take advantage of the many affordable homes on the market right now.”  Habitat sells its homes to qualifying low-income families that have completed its program requirements, with zero-interest mortgage payments that don’t exceed 30% of the buyer’s income.  In the last nine months, the organization has handed over the keys to 50 families, and 32 more families are currently approved for homeownership and are completing the Habitat homeownership program.

Habitat created the Corporate Community Partner designation to fully recognize the importance of mortgage sales.  Green said, “We cannot meet the need for affordable homeownership without upfront cash.  Selling some of our mortgages allows us to put more families into homes sooner, and FineMark Bank will be repaid over time.”  Green added that Habitat will continue to service the mortgages, so the transaction is transparent to the homebuyer.  The organization also guarantees the loans.  In the rare instance of default, Habitat will exchange that loan with another, performing loan. 

FineMark National Bank & Trust opened in 2007, and they now have five offices located at Riverwalk, Shell Point, Coconut Point, Moorings Park and a new branch is opening soon in Bentley Village. FineMark Bank offers a comprehensive array of banking, trust, investment and brokerage services to clients interested in establishing long term, high touch relationships.  The bank is dedicated to providing a culture of service to clients and making a positive difference in the communities it serves.

Habitat’s homeownership requirements include 250 sweat equity hours, payment of $1,200 toward closing costs and mandatory attendance at homeowner training classes. Through the use of volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, homes are sold to the homeowners at no profit with an interest-free mortgage, making home ownership a reality.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties is one of the largest affiliates in the country, and it has provided more than 1,164 families in Lee and Hendry counties the opportunity to own their own home.  For further information please visit Habitat at www.habitat4humanity.org or call (239) 652-0434.

Nelson works with various charities in fundraising throughout Lee County and he has a favorite fundraiser.  He enjoys selecting nonprofit organizations and he then gives each the opportunity to attend four home games during spring training.  They are given the opportunity to sell raffle tickets for miscellaneous Twins memorabilia and other donated items.  The proceeds from the sale of the raffle tickets are divided equally between the four charities.  This year’s recipients were: Lee Cancer Care, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and Hispanic American Business Alliance.

Habitat for Humanity is very grateful for the financial gift provided by the Minnesota Twins Baseball Club.  This allows Habitat to provide a hand up in our community with the ultimate goal of eliminating substandard housing.

Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties’ mission is to provide affordable housing solutions to low-income individuals with zero interest mortgages. Partnering families must commit to 250 sweat equity hours, pay $1,200 toward closing cost and qualify for a mortgage.  For further information call (239) 652-0434 or visit www.habitat4humanity.org.