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2008 WomensBuild: Click here to peruse the articles and photos from this exciting and most successful effort. Please understand that some of the links within the site are no longer functioning.

Build 2011-2012

Thanks to $20K Grant from Hudson River Bank Foundation

Columbia County Habitat for Humanity (CCHfH) president, Janis Smythe is extremely pleased to announce that the 2011 building project on Columbia Street in Hudson, is officially underway.

“Community partnerships, such the one we are so fortunate to have with Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation, are the keys to our success,” says Smythe. “Individuals and groups are doing their part, but being able to get a project jump-started with major grant support allows us to attract more donors and to plan the building process more efficiently.”

Thanks to the City of Hudson and Hudson Mayor Rick Scalera, who have partnered with CCHfH throughout the process of revitalizing Columbia Street, and the Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation’s second $20,000 grant, Phase II of the Columbia Street Campaign is breaking ground this week. CCHfH will build two federal style, two-story, energy efficient townhouse homes at 240 and 242 Columbia Street. Phase I, two townhouses at 444 and 446 Columbia Street, was finished in February and is now occupied by two Habitat for Humanity partner families.

Brenda Adams, CCHfH Executive Director, says, “We are more than grateful to Hudson River Bank and Trust Foundation for their continued support. Without this fundamental funding source Columbia County Habitat would be severely restricted in our capability to make a positive impact on our community.”

The CCHfH Family Selection Committee is expected soon to announce its recommendations for families to occupy the new Columbia Street townhouses.

Volunteers comprise most of the labor needed to build a Habitat for Humanity home. The new homeowners themselves devote 300 hours in building the home, too. Their home equity expands to include “sweat equity” and the unique experience of working shoulder to shoulder with different people from the community on their own home.

Community groups, businesses, schools, or individuals who wish to volunteer for CCHfH’s 2011 Columbia Street Campaign, please visit www.columbiacountyhabitat.org, or contact Julia Rubel, CCHfH Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@columbiacountyhabitat.org or 518-392-2898

Ed Herrington, Inc. Presents $10,000 Cash Donation: Columbia County Habitat for Humanity President, Janis Smythe announced recently that Ed Herrington, Inc., family-owned supplier of lumber, millwork and building supplies, is donating a $10,000 cash grant to support Habitat’s 2012 building season.

“Columbia County Habitat for Humanity has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Herrington’s who have generously supported many of our projects by providing not just high quality, fairly priced building materials and products, but also free technical advice and cash grants,” said Smythe. “This $10,000 cash donation comes at a critical phase of our Columbia Street project in Hudson and we are deeply grateful to have the unstinting support and trust from a major business leader like Ed Herrington, Inc.”

Ed Herrington, President and CEO of the familiar, locally owned business, said, “Working with and supporting Columbia County Habitat for Humanity is not only the right thing to do for the community, but it makes sound business sense. Ed Herrington, Inc. has been serving building professionals and homeowners alike in the tri-state area for over 100 years and we owe our success to the loyal support of our customers throughout the region. It’s a privilege to have the resources to give back to the community through this donation to the Columbia County Habitat for Humanity.”

Brenda Adams, Executive Director of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity, said, “Our ability to help revitalize the community through our Columbia Street Campaign relies heavily on building mutually productive relationships with local businesses. Herrington’s is a leader in recognizing that when business supports the community, everyone thrives. We at Columbia County Habitat for Humanity are proud and thankful to be associated with the Herrington’s brand.”

The Columbia County Habitat for Humanity 2012 Build Project continues with the construction of two Federal style attached townhouses located at 240 and 242 Columbia Street in Hudson. These single-family, owner-occupied residences are designed for easy conversion to handicapped accessibility and to new higher Energy Star ratings for more economical and environmentally friendly heating and cooling. Along with two similar townhouses at 444 and 446 Columbia Street, which were completed in 2011, these new homes will be completed in February 2012, and will help revitalize the community and generate reinvestment in the neighborhood north of Warren Street.

Columbia Street Campaign Phase II Proceeds On Time, On Budget and out of The Weather: Brenda Adams, Executive Director Columbia County Habitat for Humanity says that the current building project, two attached townhouses at 240 and 242 Columbia Street in Hudson, is on schedule and on budget.

Thanks to site supervisor Karla Kavanaugh and dozens of volunteers, including key assistance from the Questar construction trades classes and biweekly crews from Christ Church in Hudson, we have been able to meet our goal of closing in the two homes before winter sets in. In recent weeks the roof has been completed and all windows and doors installed, allowing interior work to proceed according to plan during the winter months. Facilitated by the recent good weather the exterior siding is well underway and new sidewalks were poured before the temperatures dropped.

The two homes, slated for completion by the springtime, are designed to be easily refit to ADA- compliant standards and feature cost-efficient sustainable materials. State-of-the-art construction techniques and building materials will help assure the homes meet Energy Star 2.5 or 3.0 rating criteria. These will be the highest standards of home energy efficiency ever achieved by Columbia County Habitat for Humanity and will allow the partner families to save hundreds of dollars every year on electricity and heating costs, while helping to protect the environment.

Herrington’s, a long-time supporter and partner with CCHfH, has been instrumental in the effort to build these homes. In addition to providing ongoing construction and technical support, Herrington’s has made a $10,000 contribution to the project. Spring Line Design has donated the architectural drawing package and construction oversight. This critical community support made it possible for CCHfH to build two houses again this year.

Report From Our Site on Columbia Street: As of November 19, colored siding is now marching up the exterior walls, as a finish crew puts the final roofing on one of the two entryways, a framing crew hammers on the skeleton of the other. This is discernable progress, that anyone can readily see! On the inside, crews in the basement are finding creative, appropriate ways to affix insulation panels, while upstairs, dedicated individuals and teams are foaming the gaps and shaping insulation to fit every odd space they can find.

Impressions from a Board Member on Site . For several of our volunteers today, this is their first time on this site. What’s impressive is that once they are given direction and shown how to do a certain task, these folks then clearly feel empowered and supported – they just go off and do it! Any observer could see they have a stake in what they are doing, and a discernable satisfaction at having done it.

Comments heard from volunteers . “They drilled into that tough material? Gosh that makes me feel better, ’cause I couldn’t get a nail into it for the life of me!” “I’m really glad Habitat is building these houses here – I live a few blocks away, and having these new owners working on their houses, taking pride in them, really benefits the whole neighborhood.” “This is my third time on site already – I just retired, and I couldn’t wait to do this!”

Down The Home Stretch: January 28: Our Columbia Street site comes ever closer to be habitable – we now have one working indoor toilet! A lot of painting is being done, and caulking, and nailing up trimwork. These essential steps require careful attention to detail (but are perhaps less big and glamorous compared to earlier when whole rooms were being framed and erected in a matter of hours). Still, our dedicated volunteers are tacking these tasks with the same care they would use on their own homes, knowing that thanks to their labors, these two homes are coming that much closer to being lived in and appreciated. We’re also preparing for floors to be laid, which means finish items like cabinetry will not be far behind.

Impressions from a Board Member … We had a wonderful crew working today, from the Garden Clubs of Columbia County. These great volunteers dove right in, and were eager to do whatever needed to be done. They also shared a vision for what these homes could become, wanting eventually to take part in beautifying them with flowers and plantings. As they put it, this will help these houses to truly become homes, for their new owners to take pride and pleasure in, and to increase the stake these owners will have in their community. This will only benefit the entire community. What a great vision and gift!

2011 News

Remembering Susan Benjamin: It is with very deep sorrow that Columbia County Habitat notes the passing of Susan Benjamin of Hillsdale and Stamford, Ct. Sue was a supporter of Habitat and one of its strong, committed women who formed the Steering Committee that built the first ever Women Build in Columbia County in the summer of 2008.

Sue was instrumental in setting up Women Build’s site grounds, securing and organizing the tent, and establishing outreach with the political community. She ensured a fabulous kick off to the successful build. Her determination and warm and winning approach engaged all and made her an invaluable member of the team.

Sue was also an original member of our ReStore volunteers. She came up to her weekend home from Stamford and drove to Hudson to help set up and launch the store in November of 2009 and regularly took a Saturday “duty”. She embodied the spirit of volunteerism, and really “got” and enjoyed ReStore.

We remember her smile, her wit and her willingness to do what had to be done. She will be missed by all!

Here’s Sue getting ready for the opening of ReStore in November 2009 putting knobs in drawers.

Melissa Block of NPR Reads “The Carpenter’s Gift” by David Rubel: An old-fashioned Christmas was celebrated early this year at Kinderhook Bank in Chatham on Saturday, November 26. Local author, David Rubel’s book, “The Carpenter’s Gift” was read aloud by National Public Radio’s host of All Things Considered Melissa Block, who also happens to be a native of Chatham.

Melissa brought her daughter Chloe and her parents Dan and Sally Block of Old Chatham to the reading of Rubel’s “The Carpenter’s Gift”. The recently published book was illustrated by Jim LaMarche, produced in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International and published by Random House. It tells a special tale of giving based on the origin of the first Christmas tree displayed at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Every year, lumber milled from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is used in homes built by Habitat for Humanity. A special edition of 500 copies of “The Carpenter’s Gift” was published using paper manufactured from last year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter were given a copy as were President and Mrs. Obama.

In addition to the reading, the event included the opportunity for children and adults to make special origami stars like the one featured in the book. The stars decorated a live tree displayed in the bank lobby and will be used again to decorate holiday food packages delivered by the Meals on Wheels program.

We would like thank the Chatham Bookstore, The Spotty Dog in Hudson and Blackwood & Brouwer in Kinderhook for supporting the event by selling tickets to this event.

Autographed copies of the books are available for sale at the ReStore at 829 Route 66 in Hudson.

Fourth Annual Christmas Showcase Quilt, Tree and Wreath Raffle: Columbia County Habitat for Humanity (CCHfH) President Janis Smythe is pleased to announce that CCHfH is presenting its fourth annual Christmas Showcase Raffle at Halstead Property in Hudson, during Winter Walk on Saturday, December 3, 2011, from 5PM to 8PM. The Christmas Showcase Raffle features a handmade Christmas quilt and unique table-top trees and wreathes designed and hand decorated by local businesses, clubs and other organizations.

The heirloom quality quilt, handmade and donated by Barbara Budelman, will be on display in the window at Halstead Property, 526 Warren Street, beginning November 17, with quilt raffle tickets available for advance purchase at the Habitat ReStore. More than 30 beautifully decorated wreaths and trees, as well as the grand prize quilt, will be on view at Halstead Property on Winter Walk evening with raffle tickets for all items available for purchase during the event. Winning tickets will be drawn at 8PM on Winter Walk evening. All proceeds from the raffle will support CCHfH’s 2011building project at 240 and 242 Columbia St., in Hudson.

“Thanks to the support of many businesses, organizations and volunteers, we are looking forward to a grand array of gorgeous handmade decorations.” says Smythe. “Each tree or wreath in the Christmas Showcase is unique.” In past years, trees and wreaths have displayed such decorative themes as Barbie, wildlife, and miniatures.

“We want to invite everyone to tour the ‘Christmas Showcase’ and put themselves and their friends in the holiday spirit by sharing in the raffle fun,” says Brenda Adams, Executive Director.

For more information about Columbia County Habitat for Humanity’s 2011 Christmas Showcase at Winter Walk, contact Brenda Adams, CCHfH Executive Director at 518-828-0892.

ReStore Celebrates 2nd Anniversary With 4-H Goodies and Abbie Lappen’s Music: Almost three years ago Columbia County Habitat for Humanity had a dream: to open our own ReStore and make it a model of efficiency, creativity and community pride. On November 12, we celebrated the achievement of that dream and the realization that our dream has a brilliant future.

Recently appointed ReStore Manager Jessica Willis organized the second anniversary party which began at 9am on Saturday, November 12. The day-long party featured hourly discount sales and drawings for free merchandise, activities for the kids, homemade goodies from the Animal Farm 4-H Club of Columbia County, live music from singer/song writer Abbie Lappen, and free home repair advice from Mr. Fix It, local contractor Stephen Piazza.

Located at 829 Rt. 66 Hudson, at the intersection of Rt. 66 and Rt. 9H, ReStore is open every Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 4pm. In its first 18 months, ReStore served more than 10,000 customers, and in the first year alone volunteers logged more than 6,000 miles picking up and transporting donations from all over Columbia County.

Thanks to our very supportive and generous community of donors, including businesses and individuals, plus a loyal group of volunteers, ReStore recently made a $20,000 contribution to CCHfH’s building fund.

Jessica says there is always a need for volunteers at ReStore. “We can use help five days a week,” she says “whether it’s picking up donations, arranging merchandise or sweeping out the loading dock!”
Call 518-828-0892 or visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/COLUMBIA-COUNTY-HABITAT-FOR-HUMANITY-ReStore/251716746609 .

Dress for Excess! Over-the-Top Fashion for Everyone and All Occasions! Compared to Dress for Excess!, Halloween was a drab event this year. The over-the-top fashion show created by Carol Lavender, Manager of The Second Show Community Thrift Shop on Warren Street in Hudson, was a ripping success in support of Columbia County Habitat for Humanity. Gathering a standing-room-only crowd in the performance space at Club Helsinki, the show featured glittering and glamorous evening wear, casual and work day outfits from top designers and famous labels, all second-hand items curated and styled by Carol and collaborator Bobbi Bush.

Stephen Blum, singer, performer and Club Helsinki’s Open Mic emcee, and Hudson’s own Trixie Starr teamed up to entertain the crowd and provide commentary on the fashions and models. More than 35 volunteers, entertainers and everyday folks, from teenagers to grandparents, strutted, twirled and vamped their way across the stage to the delight of the audience.

“Girlgantuan,” aka Justin Weaver, Roy Ardizzone, Mike Webber, Andrew DeGiacomo, Moises Ortiz, Lisa Durfey, Denise Keegan, Ursula Depew, Gary Lindquist, Wendy Kanel, Yasamin Lanzadeh, Trixie Starr, Aryn Kanaga, Marlene Marshall, Karen Schools, Erika Clark, Alex Armstrong, Natalie Nicholson, Tom Fish, Helen O’Keefe, Gloria Kadish and Joyce Lapenn – among others, appeared on the runway in support of Columbia County Habitat.

“Josh and Monty” added their music to the evening’s entertainment and Deborah McDowell and Marc Schafler of Club Helsinki donated 10% of the proceeds from the bar to Habitat‘s Columbia Street Campaign.

A true tour de force, Dress for Excess! proves everyone has something to offer when it comes to supporting Habitat.

NYT Columnist and Author Verlyn Klinkenborg Reflects on Meaning of Home: Local 111, Philmont’s jewel box of a restaurant owned by Linda Gatter and Max Dennis, hosted Columbia County Habitat for Humanity’s autumn event featuring Verlyn Klinkenborg at a sold-out brunch on Oct 22. The fall menu was a homey feast of locally grown food lovingly prepared by Chef Jo Proul. Guests tucked into roasted leg-of-lamb, white bean with herb pistou, quinoa tabuli, roasted root vegetables and homemade spice cake before settling back to listen to Verlyn Klinkenborg reflect on the meaning of home, shelter and security.

Columnist/Author Klinkenborg speaks at Local 111

Mr. Klinkenborg, a resident of Columbia County, is the author of “Making Hay,” “The Last Fine Time,” “The Rural Life” and “Timothy; Or, Notes of an Abject Reptile”. A member of the New York Times editorial board, his columns, under the title The Rural Life appear regularly in the Opinion section of the Times.

Habitat Celebrates Its Best and Brightest: Club Helsinki in Hudson played host to people from all over Columbia County and beyond on Saturday for the Columbia County Habitat for Humanity Builder of the Year Gala. According to county habitat Board of Directors President Janis Smyth, the event was held for two purposes: First, to celebrate the completion of the two habitat houses built on the 440 block of Columbia Street, and second to honor Meg and Jim Cashen and Judith B. Grunberg as the program’s Builders of the Year.

The evening began at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour where guests milled about enjoying fine food, friends, and the Helsinki atmosphere, while congratulating those who helped on the build on a job well done, and discussing plans for the future build, which is set to start somewhere on the 200 block of Columbia Street sometime this summer.

The guests then transitioned upstairs for a short program including videos about habitat — including a music video by Bon Jovi — gave a welcoming speech and remarks, and announced the builder of the year awards.

During this session, they also announced another award, this one for a recipient who did not know he would be receiving it. This Volunteer of the Year award went to a surprised John Livingston, who according to Smythe has been integral to the project on the 400 block.

“He was at the Columbia Street build more than any other volunteer,” Smythe said, adding that he also volunteers at Habitat’s Re-Store store on the corner of State Routes 9H and 66. “He did all the deliveries for the project, and was just there whenever we needed him…it was like this was his second career.”

Meg Cashen, one of the Builder of the Year recipients, said she has been involved in Habitat for Humanity for many years.

“It’s a wonderful organization,” she said. “We build houses with no interest loans, and the people we build for are a part of the project.”

She also said she was very impressed with the growth that has occurred in the program both in Columbia County and around the world.

“The Columbia County habitat program has really grown,” she said. “The new board has taken it to a much higher level… Previously we were building one house a year, now we’re building two.”

She also said that recently much of the building had been going on in Hudson because the Mayor had donated several lots for Habitat’s use.

“We would love to build in other places, Chatham, Philmont, Hillsdale,” she said, “but land is the big issue — we’d need donations.”

Cashen, along with Chatham Village Trustee and longtime habitat member Joanne DelRossi, will also be heading to Nicaragua in November of this year to start work on a build there.

Both Meg and Jim Cashen have lived at the Cashen Family Farm in Claverack for 38 years, with Meg having served on the Habitat board for over ten years, and currently serving on the Family Selection and Nominating committees. She also helped build two homes in Guatemala in 2004.

Jim has held a variety of positions in New York City and Albany in public and not-for-profit sectors, and is still active as a labor arbitrator and administrative law judge. He currently also serves on the boards of Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties, the Hawthorne Valley Association, and Genesis Farm.

For over 38 years, the Cashen home has also served as a refuge for children and families placed there by Catholic Charities and the County Department of Social Services.

Judy Grunberg is a 45-year resident of Chatham, and has been continuously involved with a number of not-for-profit organizations, nearly all of which have been connected to the arts and environment.

She is the founder and president of Performance Spaces for the 21st century (PS21), and donated clothing store Rewraps, which she likes to think of as a sister store to the Re-Store. Throughout her life she has been a painter and graphic artist, as well as photographer, graphic designer, and textile artist.

Grunberg said she is very proud to be associated with the Columbia County Habit for Humanity.

People involved with habitat from outside the county, like Carolyn Valli, the Executive Director of the Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity also came to show their support at the event.

“I think it’s a marvelous event,” said Valli. “The whole concept is to not give out [houses] but for people to work for them. Events like this give people the opportunity to hear about the mission, and benefits in the community. We’re very happy for [the program] in our sister city.”

Michael Zaccaro, also affiliated with the Central Berkshire Habitat program, agreed.

“I think it’s great to have events like this for habitat,” he said. “It really helps people become more aware of what we’re trying to do.”

After the awards ceremony, the guests were treated to a buffet and given an opportunity to place bids on items in a silent auction to help raise money for Columbia County Habitat. The auction featured everything from a hand made quilt by local woman Barbara Budelman and gifts to local salons and spas, to various trips, including ones to Key West Florida, and one to Whiteface Mountain resort in Vermont.

Once the silent auction closed, the guests were invited into another room to hear live music by Professor Louie and the Chromatics, and enjoy more cocktails and finger foods.

For more information on Columbia County Habitat for Humanity, or to find out how you can volunteer, check out their website at www.columbiacountyhabitat.org, or call 518-828-0892.

Club Helsinki in Hudson played host to people from all over Columbia County and beyond on Saturday for the Columbia County Habitat for Humanity Builder of the Year Gala. According to county habitat Board of Directors President Janis Smyth, the event was held for two purposes: First, to celebrate the completion of the two habitat houses built on the 440 block of Columbia Street, and second to honor Meg and Jim Cashen and Judith B. Grunberg as the program’s Builders of the Year.