Five Lake Orion churches and Habitat for Humanity are hoping to make a difference in the lives of at least one area family through the Orion/Oxford Circle of Faith.
The newly developed partnership puts Christ the Redeemer, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lake Orion United Methodist, St. Mary’s of the Hills Episcopal and Lake Orion Church of God together with Habitat for Humanity to raise funds and provide construction for one Habitat home.
Each church has its own spokesperson who will be handling different areas of the project, such as fundraising, explained Oxford resident Ann Spencer, who attends St. Joseph Catholic Church.
“This actually began in October…my husband Craig was looking for some charity work. The Rochester area churches did this last year.
“The five churches are the main go-getters, but if other churches want to come in, they’re more than welcome,” she said.
The Lake Orion/Oxford Circle of Faith is seeking to raise $60,000, the cost of one 1,200 square-foot Habitat home. Each house requires over 2,000 hours of volunteer construction labor. The Circle of Faith will provide the construction labor and the funding through donations and fundraising.
“The property (for the home) is mainly a donation or Habitat buys it for a nominal fee,” Spencer said. “This time Habitat is providing the piece of property, which is in Pontiac.”
Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County has built 27 homes in the area so far. Habitat homeowners are required to meet low-income qualifications, have viable employment, and attend classes to learn to budget finances.
They also must make the monthly mortgage payments on the “no interest loan” provided by Habitat, and invest 250 hours of “sweat equity” into assisting with fundraising and construction.
“We hope to have the ground-breaking for the house in June, and finish it by the end of the summer,” Spencer said. “It’ll be a good four months of construction, with 12-15 volunteers working a day, along with a supervisor provided by Habitat for Humanity.
“Then we will re-evaluate the project, and start on another house.”
Spencer said so far the Circle of Faith has many volunteers, but has found fundraising to be a challenge. St. Joseph kicked off their efforts with a Nail Ornament sale organized by Spencer in December.
“Benson’s Oakland Wholesale donated the nails, and we tied them with ribbon. We asked for donations, and offered people a nail ornament to put on their tree,” she explained.
The Circle of Faith has several fundraisers planned for the coming months. On March 15, a pancake breakfast will be held in the morning and a spaghetti dinner in the evening at Gingellville Community Center. On April 5-6, a lumber sponsorship sale is planned at St. Joseph.
“We are offering sponsorships of the lumber being used in the house. Families, businesses, whatever, can sign the lumber for a donation,” said Spencer.
On May 17, St. Joseph is planning a community garage sale. The church will be selling spaces for the sale for $40.
“So you can buy a space and sell your wares,” Spencer said. “The church won’t actually be selling anything, except the spaces.”
All five participating churches will also be selling Circle of Faith T-shirts, and a business campaign began in December, with the churches sending out letters to area businesses asking for support.
For $500, a business can be a “Habitat for Humanity Benefactor,” which includes recognition in building site signage, all printed and PR material, a donor plaque to display at the business, and a tax-deductible receipt.
For $250-$499, a business can be a “Habitat for Humanity Patron,” including recognition in all printed and PR material, a plaque and a tax-deductible receipt.
For $50 to $249, a business can be a “Habitat for Humanity Friend,” including recognition in all printed and PR materials, a donor certificate and a tax-deductible receipt.
“Anyone can help with this,” Spencer said. “It’s all faiths, all races, all ages. It’s a community effort.”
Spencer said volunteers will also be able to meet the family who will be living in the Habitat home.
“They’ll be on the job site, and they can help us with fundraising efforts,” she said.
For more information on how to volunteer or donate to the Lake Orion/Oxford Circle of Faith, contact Mary Martin at St. Joseph Catholic Church at 693-0440, ext. 203; Karen Swietlek at Christ the Redeemer at 391-1621, ext. 205; or Craig and Ann Spencer at 969-8424.