On the Move with Jeremy & Brandon

Jeremy and Brandon in front of the ReStore truck

Jeremy Campagna and Brandon Richardson, our stalwart Merchandise Coordinators, drive throughout Rockbridge County picking up donations and delivering items purchased by ReStore customers. Every week day, the duo pull appliances from attics and bring bookshelves from basements. When a customer purchases a bedroom suite, for example, Brandon and Jeremy drive the furniture to the buyer’s home, carefully carry in each piece, and set everything up.

But our professional haulers bring more than grit and dedication to their work. When you call Jeremy, he’ll arrange a pick up time that suits your schedule, sometimes coordinating as many as 15 pick-ups and drop offs in one day! If you don’t get him immediately, leave a message. More than likely, he's balancing some crystal stemware in one hand and a marble-top dresser in the other.

Spring has finally appeared, and so has the gruesome specter of spring cleaning. So de-clutter your home and help a deserving Rockbridge area family build one! Every item sold at the Buena Vista or Lexington ReStore helps Habitat build another new home.

Habitat accepts gently used house wares, appliances, electronics, building supplies, and many other items. If you’re unsure whether your stuff has what it takes to be Habitat stuff, don’t fret. Whether you’ve got lumber or linens, toilets or TVs, the Knights of Transport are the ones to call.

CALL Jeremy at 540-461-3118

All Pick Ups are FREE

Drop offs cost $25/$35. Call for exact price.

Habitat Homecoming

Left to right: Melissa's niece, Imaija; Melissa; Melissa's daughter, Ciesha

Photo by Margie Page

Once a Habitat home is complete, a ceremony is held to bless the home and celebrate the family’s success and hard work. Melissa Carter’s Home Dedication Ceremony was held Sunday, March 13^th. It was a bright sunny day, with a brisk wind. Melissa stood on the porch of her new home, overlooking a crowd of around 50 Disciples' Build volunteers, friends and well-wishers. Beside her was her beautiful seven-year- old daughter, Ciesha, and nearby stood her mother, sister, grandfather and other family members.

Lynn Leech, our new Interim Executive Director, welcomed everyone to the event and Jim Kvach, our Board Chair, thanked the 20 churches that contributed volunteers and financial assistance to the building project. Margie Page, of Lexington Presbyterian Church battled laryngitis to praise Melissa for her success as a mother, working person, and community member.

Together, Melissa and Alice Waddell, Co-Chair of the Family Partnership Committee, lit a candle to symbolize the love and happiness that will fill the home. Alice then led the Litany of Dedication, which ended in the simple words:

Bless this house, O Lord, we pray.

Make it safe by night and day.

Bless your children everywhere.

That in your Kingdom they may share.

Melissa's & Ciesha's new home! Photo by Sy Hughes

Alice handed Melissa a copy of the Bible, and then Melissa accepted the keys to her new home. Wiping away a tear, Melissa thanked Habitat and all of the volunteers who had helped to build her house.

After the ceremony it was time to eat. There was plenty of food, thanks to Jane Ann, our dedicated Lexington ReStore Manager, who organized the meal and worked the grill. Kentucky Fried Chicken, where Melissa works as a Shift Supervisor, contributed two huge pans of chicken.

Jane Ann at the Grill (Photo by Sy Hughes).

Ciesha and the other kids played in the backyard while the adults walked through the house, admiring the design selections Melissa had made. She chose dark brown kitchen cabinets and knotty pine laminate flooring. She also picked a pretty multi-colored ceiling fan for Ciesha’s room. The rooms were bare of furniture, but full of love and support. Melissa’s and Ciesha’s new Habitat house had become a home.

Ciesha and Melissa
Photo by Sy Hughes

You're Invited!

Mark your calendars and pin reminders on all your friends! Saturday, April 2^nd, Habitat’s Buena Vista ReStore is the place to be! Intrepid Restore Manager, Forrest Wheelock, has planned a variety of fun activities to celebrate the store's second anniversary and second annual Customer Appreciation Day.

As always, you’ll get great deals on building and home improvement supplies like lumber, cabinets, countertops, and large appliances like washers and dryers. Forrest has extensive building knowledge, and will help you select the right supplies for your particular project. Then enter the Book Nook and browse through the large collection of adults’ and children’s books, priced at 25 or 50 cents each.

ReStore Manager, Forrest Wheelock

There will also be raffles, kids’ games, balloons, and lots of good food. Best of all, the entertainment and eatables are free! Last year over 300 people came to Customer Appreciation Day, and this year we’re expecting an even larger turnout.

New and gently used items are donated by individuals and businesses in Rockbridge County. Every sale helps us to build another home for a deserving local family. For free pickup of donations, call Jeremy at (540) 461-3118.

When: Saturday, April 2. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Where: Buena Vista ReStore, 399 East 29^thSt.
Why: Great shopping, games, food & fun!
Questions? Call (540) 261-5042 or email Forrest at habitatReStore@rockbridge.net

To learn more about the Buena Vista ReStore, go to
http://www.rockbridgehabitat.org/Buena_Vista__VA.html