home dedications

Upcoming Home Dedications

White Bear Lake - September 16, 2010 (6pm - 7:30pm).

Email kristin.skaar@tchabitat.org for more details.

Recent Home Dedications

Prior Lake – July 22, 2010
Over 40 people gathered to celebrate Prior Lake’s first Habitat home, dedicated to Suzy Benjamin, David Lual and their four children. Donated by longtime Prior Lake residents Jerry and Terrie Schrank, this rehab represents a rare, but remarkable form of house recycling. In a touching speech, the couple traced the story of the home, from its “first heartbeat” – scribbled blueprints in their college dorm – to its 22 years of providing their kids a stable childhood. After selling their property and discovering the new owner planned to demolish the place, the Schranks approached Twin Cities Habitat. Thanks to a successful “heart transplant” to its new location, this house beats steady and strong, ready for its new life—and family. See photos from the evening here.


Shoreview – July 22, 2010
Last night Twin Cities Habitat dedicated its first home in Shoreview. Over 80 people joined to celebrate the dedication of five Habitat homes: a new build in Shoreview, three rehabbed homes in St. Paul, and one rehabbed home in West St. Paul. Attendees heard words of congratulations and thanks from site supervisors Rhonda Thorson and Dave Madzo, homebuyer Kate Fay, Jerry Peterson of North Como Presbyterian Church, Kerri Kolstad of the Women Build Regular Crew, and Shoreview Mayor Sandy Martin. The final litany and prayer were given by Sue Haigh, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity President, and Pastor Luther Dale of Incarnation Lutheran Church. See photos from the evening here.


Chaska – June 19, 2010
On the first sunny Saturday in June, 40 people joined to celebrate the dedication of two new homes. The sentiments of the new homeowners touched the hearts of those who gathered. Kejela Deressa, spoke from the heart about his family's sincere gratitude for the generosity of strangers. This concept of giving was new to him. Kejela explained that he now regularly employs "giving" into his everyday life and has found great joy in the process – an unexpected benefit!  Along with volunteers and supporters in attendance, Board Member Darla O'Donnell, Site Supervisor David Michelson and the President of St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Mike Baumgartner welcomed the two families to their new Habitat homes. See photos from the morning here.


White Bear Lake – June 19, 2010
Saturday marked the second dedication of a beautiful Clarence Street home in White Bear Lake. Edgar d’Almeida, Noelie Dogbe and their three girls will be moving into their new home in July. The family is so excited for their new rooms, the neighborhood, and the apple tree that awaits them in their spacious backyard. The home is a buyback, which means that Twin Cities Habitat purchased the home back from a previous Habitat homeowner. In 2002, Doua Yang and Shoua Vang moved in to the new Habitat home with their small children. Read more...
See photos from the morning here.



Lowell Curve Block Party – June 14, 2010
Last night over 100 people gathered in the street on Willow Ave North to celebrate the completion of five Habitat homes and nine A Brush With Kindness homes in the North Minneapolis Area. The rain cleared up just in time for block party goers to hear comments from all our program participants: Habitat Homeowner Connie McClure, Andy Kroll (General Mills), Tara Beutelspacher (Ameriprise), Development Sponsor Janet Anderson, City Councilman Don Samuels, State Senator Linda Higgins, State Rep. Bobby Champion, Twin Cities Habitat President Susan Haigh and Board Member Wesley Walker. Reverend Lurah Bean of Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church provided opening and closing prayers for the event. See photos from the evening here.
 

St. Francis – May 22, 2010
On Saturday Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity dedicated its first home in St. Francis, MN. Homeowners Amy and Bobby had already moved in and were gracious enough to invite everyone in, so guests were able to see how their house had already become a home to them. Speakers at the event were Pastor Harry Eklund and Donna Nelson from Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. Jerry Tveit, the Mayor of St. Francis, also gave his remarks. Thank you to all those who braved the thunderstorm to participate in the event!





Hopkins – May 15, 2010
Over fifty people gathered on Saturday for a home dedication in the city of Hopkins. This home will be the second single-family LEED certified house built by Twin Cities Habitat. Community members, family, staff and volunteers listened to remarks given by site supervisor Craig Norton, Keystone Sponsor and Board Member Mary Lynn Staley, Dave Hoover of Cargill and Twin Cities Habitat President Sue Haigh. Dale Fehrenbach of Cargill, Twin Cities Habitat Board member, also spoke to everyone and led the dedication litany. See photos from the morning here.

Case Ave & Jessamine Ave – May 6, 2010
The second three-unit townhome on Case Ave and a rehabilitated house on Jessamine Ave in St. Paul were dedicated last night. The Case Ave project has been seven years in the making. Originally serving as the unofficial dumping grounds for a construction company, this area has taken on new life as the final three families prepare to move in. This project is unique because it is Twin Cities Habitat’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified multi-family townhome development. The project recently won a 2010 Sustainable St. Paul Award for its environmental sustainability, cost-effective strategies and leadership in green building practices. See photos from the afternoon here.

Dedication Committee

The Dedication Committee is responsible for planning and hosting every dedication that happens at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Committee members do everything from contacting homebuyers, to picking up a cake for the event, setting up tables, greeting guests, handing out programs, and emceeing the dedication.

Thank you to our members!
Bobbi Hoppman, Christina Hausman, Cynthia McGowen, Deb Geske, Dersoligne Aboye, Jenna Thureen, Jenny Geske, Jerry Bourbonnais, Karin O’Connor, Kathy Tolo, Kristin Skaar, Melissa Books, Nicole Radotich, Nicole Smiley, Shannon Swanson, Susie DeShon