Rita Register, Kimeria Colley and Justine Johnson. [Photo: Denise Ritchie]

Major donors and Moorings Habitat Partnership Committee members were recognized at a recent Appreciation Luncheon at the Moorings Yacht and Country Club to thank them for their efforts in amassing close to $560,000 this past year to support Indian River Habitat for Humanity.

Funding was derived through the 2019 Habitat Classic Weekend and a direct appeal, and included a record $170,000 contributed by the Moorings Club through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program, a sales tax incentive program targeting affordable housing organizations.

Over the past 20 years, the Moorings community has raised $9 million for Habitat; of that, close to $2 million has come from the club through that program. Residents and Moorings staff also contribute hundreds of volunteer hours at the ReStore, building sites and fundraising events.

“With that funding, we are building four new homes for families,” said David Sommers, chair of the committee, noting that the Moorings has sponsored 72 homes to date. “In addition, your contributions will repair six homes and provide full-year scholarships to 10 students from Habitat homes.”

“There are many versions of poverty, but the most pernicious is the poverty of the working poor. Despite long hours at low pay, many are unable to improve their lives,” said Sommers. “They often endure unstable home living conditions, which leave insufficient time for parenting and self-advancement. They strive, and often fail, to provide their children a place to learn and grow; a place to call home.”

He introduced several Habitat homebuyers, each of whom is a hardworking individual who, until now, had been unable to find safe, affordable housing. Like other Habitat homebuyers, they must each contribute hundreds of ‘sweat equity’ hours and attend classes on budgeting and home maintenance. As they repay their zero-interest mortgage, that money is recycled to fund additional homes.

“Thank you each for helping us to understand better how we can help you and the Habitat home buyers who are coming behind you, to achieve the future that you envision,” said Sommers, adding that a goal of Habitat is to break the cycle of poverty.

Sommers introduced Randy and Karen Sones, who assumed the mantel of Classic Weekend co-chairs from last year’s hugely successful co-chairs, Jean Hyde and Pat Allex, and who spoke a little about the full slate of events planned Feb. 14-17, 2020.

“Habitat has been the Moorings Club’s signature charity for over two decades,” said Craig Lopes, Moorings Club General Manager and CEO. “Habitat is the largest and longest standing of the charities that the Moorings Club supports, and we’re committed to the Moorings Habitat partnership.”

“When I think about all of us who are in this room this afternoon, we do have at least one thing in common, and that is this partnership. It’s been extremely successful all these years,” said Sheryl Vittitoe, Indian River Habitat CEO, thanking Moorings residents and staff alike. “I’m also grateful for our families. Right now, in our pipeline, we’ve got more than 25 families that we’re working with very closely so that they can receive their own Habitat home in the very near future. So thank you for your generous giving – giving of your time and your talent and your treasure to support Indian River Habitat.”

For more information, visit irchabitat.org.