Athens County Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1990 after a group of inspired local citizens heard President Carter speak about Habitat. In 1991, ACHFH renovated its first home. In the 18 years since, the local organization has completed 23 homes in Athens County and is currently working on the 24th.

• Directly donate an item. You can purchase an item(s) from the supplier of your choice for delivery to Athens County Habitat for Humanity, or if you have a good working condition used item, please drop by our offices during our working hours.

• Let us purchase an item for you using one of these options:]]> Millard Fuller, the visionary whose ideas and tireless work created Habitat for Humanity, passed away Feb. 3 at the age of 74.

  The idea for Habitat for Humanity was born at Koinonia Farm, a Christian farming community founded in 1942 in rural southwest Georgia to be a "œdemonstration plot for the Kingdom of God." Millard and Linda Fuller made their way to that demonstration plot in 1965.

  ]]> I'm sitting across the desk from Greg Ross, director of the Athens County Habitat for Humanity, watching his animated face and bright eyes dance as he talks about the latest Habitat project currently underway.

  "œWe don't give handouts, we give a hand up," he says emphatically. It is obvious from watching him that he is passionate about the services Habitat for Humanity provides to the Athens community.

  "œOur mission is to get families out of substandard housing," he continues. "œFamilies who make 30 to 60 percent of the median income of Athens County qualify."

  And the latest housing mission of Habitat is for Darrick and Ashley Wires of Albany. Married for eight years, Darrick, 34 and Ashley, 26, along with their three young daughters "“ Kelly, Joy and Katie "“ have been living in a 30-year-old trailer on Darrick's parents property for most of their married life.

  ]]> Along with NFL quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda, 10 members and staff from Ohio AmeriCorp will join more than 500 Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA members and alumni to help build 20 Habitat for Humanity houses this summer.

  The group will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 14-20 as part of the annual Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon. The houses will be built in partnership with families affected by the floods that devastated much of Iowa in 2008.

  ]]> In 1984, former President Jimmy Carter donated one day of his carpentry skills on a Habitat work site in Americus, Ga. Thus was born the annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project (JRCWP). In the ensuing 24 years, 23 projects have been completed in locations as diverse as Eagle Butte, S.D.; New York City; Manila, Philippines; and Lonavala, India.

  Today the annual project has become an internationally recognized event of Habitat for Humanity International. It draws thousands of volunteers to build homes and raises awareness of the critical need for affordable housing all over the globe.

  ]]> In 1999, two women from Athens developed a novel concept: to get women in Athens working together for a common cause. That was the birth of Athens Women Raise the Roof, a coalition of the Athens County Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

  Since that time, the WRTR women have built four houses (located in Glouster and Nelsonville) and are working on the fifth (located in Albany). In addition to building, the women have the responsibility of raising funds for the costs of materials and supplies.

  ]]> For more than four years, grocery shoppers have helped to support the build activities of Athens Women Raise the Roof every time they use their Kroger Gift Card to purchase groceries. The 5 percent of people's Kroger bill has been a terrific, passive fund-raising tool for WRTR.
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