Habitat ReStore thanks donors, patrons

To the editor:

We?d like to take this opportunity to thank our donors and customers of the Habitat for Humanity ?Pre? ReStore (we are still working on Habitat?s requirements to be recognized as a ?ReStore? - thus ?Pre?). We have completed our first year of operations, having been open three days per week, every week since Earth Day 2011. We have had tremendous support from donors who have regularly brought in literally tons of windows, doors, couches, tables, tubs and tools. At this same time we have seen the number of customers slowly and steadily increase week after week as word spreads.

Our efforts to spread the news of the store regionally is also working, as donations and customers from Ottumwa to Oskaloosa have come to give and ?receive?. Other Habitat affiliates of Washington, Henry Co., Oskaloosa and Ottumwa have organized the delivery of items with a percentage of sales going back to their local chapters.

Of course, money raised through our sales will help add to the funds needed to continue to build Habitat homes in Fairfield, as well as launch new Habitat related programs (such as ?A Brush With Kindness? in 2012). We?ve also been fortunate to purchase a delivery/pickup van with funding provided through a forgivable loan from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Alternatives Program.

We?ll be using this for a donation pickup in Mt. Pleasant organized by the Henry County HFH this coming weekend. We estimate that we?ve recycled, repurposed, and saved from the landfill, forty-two tons of ?stuff?. We?ve expanded from our initial 4600 square feet to 6500 square feet while adding another 1400 square feet for receiving and sorting, and warehousing.

One additional service we will provide in the near future, are regularly scheduled pickups in Henry, Wapello and the surrounding counties. Most of this operation is done by volunteers so we are always looking for more to lend a helping hand on a short part-time basis.

Again, thanks for your generosity and remember: Volunteer, Donate, and Shop.

? Jim Pedrick and John Loin, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Fairfield