For Immediate Release
October 20, 2009
Contact Person: Deb Berner
Phone: 330-763-2871
E-Mail: deb.berner@csb1.com

Habitat to Hold Home Dedication Service and Groundbreaking for Next Home

November will be a busy month for Holmes County Habitat for Humanity as they will be celebrating the completion of their most recent home and will also be holding a groundbreaking for the Affiliates next home. The public is invited to attend both services.

Habitat recently completed the home that was built in partnership with the Lance and Deb Mann family. The dedication service will be held on Sunday, November 1 at 2:30 p.m. at 6274 Township Road 219, Big Prairie. With a Big Prairie address, the home site is actually east of Nashville, just 1/4 mile down Township Road 219.

We encourage all of the volunteers that helped on this home to join us and see the completion of their efforts, stated Deb Berner, President of Holmes County Habitat. The dedication ceremony can be a joyous and emotional time, not only for the partner family, but also the Habitat board and the volunteers.

With just a few days separating the completion of one home, Habitat will break ground on its next home, which will be built on Wooster Road in Millersburg. The official groundbreaking service will be held on Tuesday evening, November 3 at 6:00 p.m. This home is being built in partnership with Lisa Simpson and her three children.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to Habitats partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor  sweat equity  into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.

More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org or by leaving a message at 330-674-HOME. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 418, Millersburg, Ohio, 44654.

For Immediate Release
April 8, 2009
Contact Person: Deb Berner
Phone: 330-763-2871
E-Mail: deb.berner@csb1.com

Habitat to Hold Groundbreaking Ceremony for Next Home in Nashville

Holmes County Habitat for Humanity will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Affiliate’s next home on Sunday, April 26 at 3:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The home is being built in partnership with the Lance & Deb Mann family and is expected to take approximately three months to complete.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the home site on 6274 Township Road 219, Big Prairie. With a Big Prairie address, the home site is actually east of Nashville, just ¼ mile down Township Road 219.

“With the retirement of our construction supervisor John Remington this past December, Ivan Yoder Builders has stepped in to help organize the building of this home,” stated Deb Berner, President of Holmes County Habitat for Humanity. “We are very thankful to Ivan and his crew and feel blessed to have their expertise, guidance and support on this build.”

While Ivan Yoder Builders will head up this project, Habitat will still utilize volunteers to help build the home. Those interested in volunteering for this home build should contact Volunteer Coordinator Melody Sindel at 330-674-0896.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to Habitat’s partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.

More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org or by leaving a message at 330-674-HOME. Monetary donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 418, Millersburg, Ohio, 44654. All level of experience is welcome.

More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org or by leaving a message at 330-674-HOME.

For Immediate Release
January 12, 2009
Contact Person: Deb Berner
Phone: 330-763-2871
E-Mail: deb.berner@csb1.com

John Remington Retires from Habitat for Humanity, Open House Planned - Millersburg, Ohio, January 12, 2009 - A familiar face with Holmes County Habitat for Humanity has decided to retire. John Remington retired from his position of construction supervisor, effective December 31, 2008. An open house reception will be held on Sunday, January 25 from 2:00 – 4:00 at the Life Center (former Grocery Bag) on North Clay Street in Millersburg. Anyone that has worked with John in his capacity with Habitat for Humanity is invited to stop by during the open house.

Over the years, John has been instrumental in continuing Habitat’s mission to provide simple, decent, affordable housing for people in Holmes County.  He has served Holmes County Habitat for Humanity faithfully since the first kickoff meeting in August 1993 and was a member of the very first Board of Directors. Throughout the years while serving as a board member and working in his own renovation business, John also served as construction supervisor for Habitat, overseeing all aspects of the building process. In more recent years, John had taken on the role of Habitat construction supervisor full-time. He worked closely with the Habitat partner families, developing a special bond with many.

“John’s dedication to Habitat over the past 16 years has been instrumental in our continuing efforts to provide simple, decent affordable housing for people in Holmes County,” stated Deb Berner, President of Holmes County Habitat. “We wish him well in his retirement.”

Board Member and former Habitat President Pam Mohler added, “During the past fifteen years I have had the great pleasure to work alongside John in many aspects of Holmes County Habitat for Humanity.  His ability to lead the construction process, relate to our partner families and supervise volunteer workers has brought Habitat for Humanity in Holmes County to where it is today.  The legacy he leaves here in Holmes County will be felt for many years to come.” 

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to Habitat’s partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org or by leaving a message at 330-674-HOME. photos

For Immediate Release
October 31, 2008
Contact Person: Deb Berner
Phone: 330-763-2871
E-Mail: deb.berner@csb1.com

Habitat to Dedicate Two Homes In November Holmes County Habitat for Humanity will hold two home dedications in the month of November and invites the public to attend. Since May of this year, the local Habitat Affiliate built the two homes with a large volunteer work force.
The first ceremony will be on Sunday, November 9 at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Betty Miller. This home was built in partnership with Betty and her three children and is located at 8252 Township Road 102, just south of Millersburg.
The second ceremony will be on Sunday, November 23 at 2:30 p.m. at the home of Ben & Delta Tish and their two children. This home is located on Wooster Road in Millersburg, just north of the Victorian House.
“We encourage all of the volunteers that helped on these homes to join us and see the completion of their efforts,” stated Deb Berner, President of Holmes County Habitat. “The dedication ceremony can be an joyous and emotional time, not only for the partner family, but also the Habitat board and the volunteers.”
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to Habitat’s partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.
More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org or by leaving a message at 330-674-HOME.

A Message from Deb Berner, President of Holmes County Habitat for Humanity August 11, 2008 - Holmes County Habitat for Humanity is about to accomplish something we have never done before – the completion of two homes that we have been building at the same time.
By August 31, 2008, both the Betty Miller family and the Ben & Delta Tish family will have moved into their new homes. The first construction day for the Miller home was on May 3 and for the Tish home, July 10. So you can see by these dates that our contractors, volunteers, construction supervisor, volunteer coordinator and board members have been pulling double duty to help us accomplish this task. We owe them our heartfelt thanks for all they have done.
We have been asked why the urgency in getting these two homes built so quickly and would like to share the reason with you. Our local Habitat affiliate and the two partner families are recipients of CHIP grants, which awarded $20,000 to help with the construction for each home. However, there is a deadline of August 31, 2008 for the money to be used and the families moved in. We have received CHIP grants in the past and while the deadlines that are established are normally not a problem, we ran into an unexpected five-month delay on our last home, which then of course delayed the start of the Miller & Tish homes. Thus, the urgency to get these two homes completed in such a short time.
While these two builds were going on, our Habitat board members continued to fulfill their other duties that keep our Affiliate running smoothly and accomplishing our mission. I would like to personally thank each of them as they make my job as President much easier.
We will be holding dedication services for the Miller & Tish families in the fall and we encourage you to check back for the dates. We invite you to join us for these joyous celebrations!

More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org or by leaving a message at 330-674-HOME. (see photos)

For Immediate Release
June 14, 2008
Contact Person: Deb Berner
Phone: 330-763-2871
E-Mail: deb.berner@csb1.com

Lawrence School Students Volunteer at Holmes County Habitat Work Site

How do visitors normally spend two days in Amish Country in Holmes County? Many tour the back roads, shop at the wide variety of stores and eat at many of the great restaurants. Well for six students and two teachers from the Lawrence School in Broadview Heights, they spent their two days in Holmes County volunteering for Habitat for Humanity.
The students traveled to Holmes County in May and were hand-picked to represent the school. The group included Jack Chapman, Colin McGinn, Devon McKinney, Paul Matia, Scott Pence and John Tomsich. Staff members Tracy Pedaline and Dan Thompson accompanied the students. While most of the students knew little of Habitat and its mission, they left Holmes County with the knowledge that they had contributed to the mission to provide simple, decent, affordable houses for people in Holmes County. They also learned of the opportunities to volunteer with Habitat in their local communities or while at college.
The group spent two full days at the Habitat home currently being built in partnership with Betty Miller and her three children. The home is located just off State Route 83 south of Millersburg. They arrived very willing to help in any way they could and were put to work immediately upon their arrival. They helped to build the home by framing, insulating, drywalling and performing other tasks as needed.
“We were so impressed with the young men from the Lawrence School and this proved to be a wonderful project and partnership,” stated Deb Berner, Holmes County Habitat president. “While we really appreciate the work they did for us, we are equally excited about the interest they showed in continuing to support other Habitat affiliates once they returned home or as they attend college.”
And by the way, the Lawrence School group did get to enjoy the normal side of Holmes County that visitors normally see. They at a family style meal at Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek, while their overnight stay was provided free of charge by The Inn at Honey Run.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to Habitat’s partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org or by leaving a message at 330-674-HOME. (see photos)

For Immediate Release
June 9, 2008
Contact Person: Deb Berner
Phone: 330-763-2871
E-Mail: deb.berner@csb1.com

Habitat to Dedicate Apostles Build Home and Hold Groundbreaking for Builders Blitz Home

Holmes County Habitat for Humanity will hold a combined dedication and groundbreaking service on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 2:30 to celebrate the completion of the Apostles Build home and to begin the construction of the Builders Blitz home. The ceremony will be held at the home sites on Wooster Road in Millersburg and the public is invited to attend. The properties sit on the east side of Wooster Road, between the Victorian House and Village Motors.
The Apostles Build home was built in partnership with the Sheila Summers family. An Apostles Build is a partnership that allows area churches to join together and fully fund and build a house, with each church or group of churches taking the responsibility for the volunteer labor. Area churches that took part in the Apostles Build include: Berlin Mennonite, Faith Lutheran, Longenecker Mennonite, Martin?s Creek Mennonite, Millersburg Christian, Millersburg Presbyterian, Millersburg United Methodist, Nashville Church of Christ, St. John?s Church of Millersburg, St. John?s Lutheran Church, Ripley Church of Christ and Walnut Creek Mennonite.
The Builders Blitz home is being built in partnership with the Ben & Delta Tish family. A Builders Blitz is a partnership with area contractors and companies that commit to getting the home built in a matter of just two to three weeks. Those that have committed to this project to date are: Donald C. Baker Surveying, Berlin Contractors, Ivan Yoder Builders, Miller, Mast & Mason, Millersburg Electric, North Central Insulation, R & E Bobcat, Rockwood, Rohr Construction and TAC Systems. Initial plans are to have the Builders Blitz home completed and the family moved in by the end of July.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to Habitat?s partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor ? sweat equity ? into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.
More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org or by leaving a message at 330-674-HOME.

For Immediate Release
March 27, 2008
Holmes County Habitat for Humanity
Contact Person: Deb BernerPhone: 330-763-2871
E-Mail: deb.berner@csb1.com
Habitat Announces Groundbreaking Date for Next Home

The Holmes County Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the group?s next home on Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 p.m. The home is being built in partnership with Betty Miller and her three children and is expected to take approximately three months to complete.

The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the home site at 8252 Township Road 102, which is just south of Millersburg. The public is invited to attend. Those attending should look for signs and/or the Habitat trailer on State Route 83 for parking.
?Members of the First Christian Church of New Philadelphia and Crossroads Missions have already built the framing for this home,? stated Deb Berner, President of Holmes County Habitat for Humanity. ?The framing was built over a weekend last fall in the parking lot of the church. It was then marked, dismantled and is being stored until it is needed.? First Christian Church Pastors Jim Borton and David Carrick led this project.

More information about Holmes County Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org, or by calling Deb Berner at 330-674-2847. Those interested in volunteering for this home build should contact Berner. All levels of experience are welcome.
To date, the Holmes County affiliate has built 20 homes with 21 partner families using local volunteers. The owners of these homes are generating more than $20,000.00 in real estate taxes per year in Holmes County. HFH of Holmes County is the only non-profit provider of owner-occupied housing for low-income families in our service area and is well known in the community. It creates partnerships with individuals, churches, businesses and foundations. (see photos)

The Apostles Build home for the Sheila Summers family proved to be an overwhelming success. Hundreds of volunteers showed up throughout the construction of this home on Wooster Road in Millersburg. The family moved in over the holidays and we are now awaiting good weather to finalize some outdoor projects. An official dedication ceremony will be held in the spring. We invite anyone that volunteered, was involved in some way or those interested in learning more about Habitat for Humanity, to join us. Be sure to check back here to find the official date for the ceremony.

In the Spring of 2008, Holmes County Habitat for Humanity will partner with the Betty Miller family to start construction of her home south of Millersburg.

December 12, 2007 - Pam Mohler Assumes New Role with Habitat for Humanity Millersburg, Ohio - After serving as President of Holmes County Habitat for Humanity for 14 years, Pam Mohler will be relinquishing her role as President and will assume the role of “Family Support Chairperson” for the organization. The change will take place at the beginning of January 2008.
Pam was elected to the first Board of Directors of the Holmes County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity in 1994 with official affiliation being granted to the group in September of 1995. She has served as President since January 1995. During her tenure as President, Mohler has been instrumental in leading the organization in its mission to provide simple, decent, affordable houses for people in Holmes County who are living in sub-standard housing or unable to secure adequate housing by conventional means.
Deb Berner of Millersburg has been elected by the Habitat Board of Directors to serve as the new President. Berner joined the board in 2005 and served as the Chairperson for the first ever Women Build home in 2006. Other officers include Vice President, Eric Strouse and Treasurer, Donna Wyatt.
“We have been blessed to have Pam’s leadership all of these years,” stated Berner. “Pam cares about our Habitat families so much and she will continue to be very valuable to our organization in her new role as Family Support Chairperson.”
Other board members in addition to the officers include: David Crider, Ruth Crissey, Jill Dial, Laurie Etzwiler, Kate Findley, Dave Fullerman, John Hochstetler, Larry Martin, Pam Mohler, Melody Sindel, Ken Stafford, Chuck Wyatt and Cal Yoder. John Remington serves as construction supervisor.
A reception honoring Mohler will be held on Friday, February 1 from 6:00 – 8:00 at the Hotel Millersburg. Anyone that has worked with Pam in her capacity as President of Habitat for Humanity is invited to stop by. Please RSVP to Deb Berner at 330-674-2847 during the evening or by e-mail at .
To date, the Holmes County affiliate has built 20 homes with 21 partner families using local volunteers. The owners of these homes are generating more than $20,000.00 in real estate taxes per year in Holmes County. HFH of Holmes County is the only non-profit provider of owner-occupied housing for low-income families in our service area and is well known in the community. It creates partnerships with individuals, churches, businesses and foundations. More information about Holmes County Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org.

Habitat Announces Groundbreaking Date for Next Home The Holmes County Chapter of Habitat for Humanity will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the group’s next home on Sunday, August 5, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony will be held at the home site on Wooster Road in Millersburg and the public is invited to attend. The property sits on the east side of Wooster Road, between the Victorian House and Village Motors.
The home is being built in partnership with Sheila Summers and her four children. The home will be an Apostles Build and is expected to take approximately three months to complete. An Apostles Build is a partnership that allows area churches to join together and fully fund and build a house, with each church or group of churches taking the responsibility for 1/12 of the cost and 1/12 of the volunteer labor. As Jesus’ original apostles were charged with spreading the word about Jesus, our apostles are charged with assisting in Habitat’s mission to provide decent shelter for God’s children.
More information about Habitat for Humanity can be found at www.habitatofholmescounty.org, or by calling Deb Berner at 330-674-2847.

For Immediate Release May 7, 2007 - Holmes County Habitat for Humanity held a dedication service on Sunday, May 6, 2007 to celebrate the completion of the Jake & Ronda Raber family home. The home is located at 3265 Township Road 128, Millersburg. The Raber home is the 20th Habitat home built in Holmes County since 1995. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry. Habitat works in partnership with people to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to Habitat’s partner families, at no profit and with no interest charged. Partner families invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. The next Habitat home will be an Apostles Build and will be built in partnership with the Sheila Summers family. The groundbreaking service will be held on Sunday, May 20th at 2:30 p.m. on Hebron Street in Millersburg.