By JAKE LYNCH - Sammamish Reporter Editor - Dec 30 2009, 12:14 PM · UPDATED

2009 was a year of change. From the highest levels of government to the grass roots of community, the people of Issaquah and Sammamish were buoyed by, fought against, were shocked and inspired by changes to our political system, our economy, our environment and our friends and neighbors.

In this Sammamish and Issaquah were not unique. All over America cities large and small were impacted by the terrible failure of the American economy, the ripples of which were felt at both ends of the spectrum - from multinational companies and export and import figures to the Issaquah Food Bank and Eastside Baby Corner, local charities and city budgets.

The Eastside underwent changes in leadership too - from a new president to new city councilors.

These two things - the economy and politics - were at the heart of most of the changes the people of Issaquah and Sammamish saw over the past year.

June 19

Habitat groundbreaking in the Highlands makes it all seem real for families

"It was an important day in the continued transformation of the Issaquah Highlands from development-in-progress to active community, with the groundbreaking ceremony on Habitat for Humanity’s 10 home site last Thursday. Looking from Magnolia Street over the southern reaches of Lake Sammamish to Seattle and the Olympic Mountains to the west, suits mingled with sweat pants, as Issaquah and Sammamish city officials, and representatives of King County and Habitat for Humanity, were joined by AmeriCorps volunteers and the families that will one day occupy the homes, in a ceremony full of gratitude and optimism."

Dick Gram of the Faith United Methodist Church in Issaquah is one of the many volunteers from local church group whose volunteer labor and fundraising efforts has helped Habitat for Humanity provide affordable housing for families over the past decade.Jake Lynch, Reporter

By Jake Lynch, Editor, Issaquah Reporter, December 22, 2009 - UPDATED

Just six months ago, 2500 Magnolia St. NE in the Issaqauh Highlands was just a patch of dirt and rocks, home to nothing but some great ideas. Fast forward to December, 2009, and the Habitat for Humanity project of 5 four bedroom units, 3 three bedroom units and 2 two bedroom units is taking shape.

In addition to the AmeriCorps volunteers which do construction at the site five days a week, the Habitat development is being driven by volunteer laborers from a number of local churches.

Members of the Faith United Methodist Church in Issaquah and the Sammamish Presbyterian Church have been donating their time, energy and Saturdays to Habitat builds around the county for the past 10 years, helping on projects not only in Issaquah but also Redmond, Renton and Snoqualmie.

These two groups have been regularly joined by the First United Methodist Church of Bellevue, and their volunteer efforts and financial support are crucial to the continued functioning of Habitat programs.

Also crucial to Habitat projects is the future homeowners themselves - all families selected to occupy one of the affordable housing units must undergo homeowner training and put in hours of "sweat equity" - helping to build the home that will one day be theirs.

Mike and Alissa Talton have put in many hours of work on the Highlands site. Mike returned from a tour of Iraq with the United States Navy in October, and after missing the groundbreaking for the project in June, is always pleased to be on-site, helping to lay the groundwork of his family's future.

According to Jodi Bridges Marmion, Communications Officer for Habitat for Humanity East King County, the project at the Issaquah Highlands is going very smoothly and according to schedule.

"We are currently framing homes 1, 2, 3, and 4. Next we will be installing the mechanical systems and siding," she said. "We plan to have the first four homes completed in the late Summer of 2010."

In January, Habitat will be launching a volunteer program called "The Chili Challenge at Issaquah."

They will be providing hot soup and chili to all volunteers who come out on January 20, 21, 27 or 28. Volunteers will also receive a free t-shirt, and will go into a draw to win a gift certificate from a local restaurant, or REI.

For more information go to www.habitatekc.org


Issaquah Reporter Editor Jake Lynch can be reached at editor@issaquah-reporter.com.

By: Angela Tucciarone - Alexandria, VA, December 14, 2009

Company partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help build nine homes across the country

AvalonBay Communities, a leading apartment Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), today announced the completion of its two-month long ‘Spirit of Caring’ initiative, an annual program to give back to the communities in which the Company’s employees live and work. Leveraging its national footprint, AvalonBay partnered with Habitat for Humanity, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing simple, decent and affordable housing for more than 1.5 million people, to help build nine homes for families in need across the country.

“One of AvalonBay’s most deeply-held core values is a 'Spirit of Caring’,” said Bryce Blair, AvalonBay Chairman and CEO. “It is a priority for us to give back to our local communities and I am proud of how many of our employees turned out to help create new opportunities for our neighbors. We could not have found a better partner for our annual initiative than Habitat for Humanity, a charity that we have supported for many years. Their remarkable build programs have made home ownership a reality for families in need, and have helped strengthen our communities.”

AvalonBay associates helped Habitat for Humanity build homes during October through December in the following locations across the country:

Arlington, VA
Braintree, MA
Freehold, NJ
New Rochelle, NY
Oakland, CA

San Diego, CA
Santa Ana, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Redmond, WA


In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, the local AvalonBay team worked on a unit in a newly constructed condominium building for a single mother and her 19-year-old son.

“We were thrilled to see so many members of the AvalonBay team come to swing a hammer on the build day,” said Karen Cleveland, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia. “Maple Ridge was one of our first ever condominium buildings and AvalonBay helped from the early stages of construction through the entire process. The new tenant is a wonderful woman and a perfect example of the deserving people who we are able to reach through this program.”

In Westchester County, AvalonBay worked with Habitat for Humanity on two homes that were located in a FEMA disaster area following a flood.

“We are proud of our longtime partnership with AvalonBay” said Jim Killoran, Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity of Westchester. “For us, the relationship extends much further than just a one day build. AvalonBay continues to support our communities throughout the year, donating furniture, volunteering and sponsoring events.”

In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Santa Cruz, the local Avalon Bay team worked on a new construction, four bedroom, two bath home for a disadvantaged family of six.

“The positive, friendly nature of the Avalon ay volunteers, coupled with their willingness to work hard for the cause of providing housing for families in need perfectly embodies what Habitat is all about,” said Charles Bender, Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity Santa Cruz County. “We at Habitat Santa Cruz could not be happier or more grateful for all of AvalonBay’s contributions.”

This year’s ‘Spirit of Caring’ initiative built on the company’s successful 2008 event, where it partnered with USA Weekend for “Make A Difference Day,” the most encompassing national day of volunteer service. USA Weekend honored AvalonBay with the prestigious “Make A Difference Day Award” from the Newman's Own Foundation in recognition of its national participation and donated the $10,000 proceeds from the award to the American Red Cross.

About AvalonBay Communities, Inc.
As of June 30, 2009, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 174 apartment communities containing 50,511 apartment homes in ten states and the District of Columbia, of which 12 communities were under construction and seven communities were under reconstruction. AvalonBay is in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring, and managing apartment communities in high barrier-to-entry markets of the United States. More information on AvalonBay, an S&P 500 listed company, may be found on AvalonBay’s website at http://www.avalonbay.com.

December 14, 2009

Vanpool vehicles will provide transportation options to organizations throughout King County

Instead of a life of leisure, more than two dozen King County “retirees” are getting ready for a second career of helping take county residents to events, medical appointments and field trips. The Metropolitan King County Council today unanimously approved the donation of 27 retired Metro Vanpool vans to provide transportation assistance to local governments, community programs, senior citizens and young adults.

“Extending the useful life of these vans provides many organizations with the mobility options they deserve,” said Council Vice Chair Jane Hague, the sponsor of the ordinance. “Each organization now has a way of getting more people to more places.”

“Now more than ever, service organizations can put these vans—which are no longer cost effective for Metro to operate—to use serving those in need in our community during these challenging economic times,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “This is the ultimate recycling program to ensure the people of King County get as much use and benefit as possible out of our vanpool vans.”

“These organizations work hard to make every dollar stretch,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “I know these vans will have a fulfilling retirement transporting those who need them the most.”

The retired vans have been part of Metro Transit’s vanpool fleet for at least six years and have reached the end of their service life. When the vans reach this age, they are considered surplus and sold.

“These retired vans are going to non-profit organizations that represent the compassion and diversity we have in King County,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert of Redmond. “In District 3, the vans will help meet the transportation needs of low-income families building their own homes with Habitat for Humanity of Redmond, at-risk youth involved in programs with Encompass in North Bend, and school-age children all over King County who participate in the environmental education programs at the Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall.”

“King County’s retired van donation program is a wonderful way to provide assistance to non-profit organizations who play a vital role in boosting the quality of life in our communities,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson. “Gaining mobility through the program allows agencies to connect many clients to the critical services they rely on and would not otherwise have access to during these difficult times.”

Since 1995, the County Council has been donating retired vans from Metro’s Vanpool program to local nonprofit organizations to provide transportation for the disabled, low-income, young adults, and senior citizens. The groups are responsible for licensing, insuring and maintaining the vehicles.

The Vanpool program provides mobility for a diverse array of King County residents, supports the positive work of various local organizations, and relieves traffic congestion by reducing the need for single-occupancy vehicles. Interested organizations can contact the Councilmember representing their district for more information on applying for a vehicle.






Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system
at http://mkcclegisearch.kingcounty.gov and type in “2009-0653”


Follow the Council’s deliberations through Twitter by signing up through the
King County Council Web site at:
www.kingcounty.gov/council

Watch all Council proceedings held in chambers LIVE on King County TV
on Comcast and Broadstripe Cable on channel 22, or online at:
www.kingcounty.gov/KCTV

Mary and Jonathan Miller sit with their children Draeden, 5, and Adwynn, 2, in their new home on Southeast Gravenstein Court in Snoqualmie. Their new three-bedroom condo is the 100th house built by Habitat for Humanity in East King County. (Photo by Tara Ballenger)

By Tara Ballenger, SnoValley Star, December 9, 2009 - UPDATED

For Mary Miller, her new home on Southeast Gravenstein Court in Snoqualmie is a palace.



“It’s more than I could ever have hoped for,” said Miller.

For five years, Mary lived with her husband Jonathan and two children in a rental house that was unaffordable, unheated and unstable—it was in a flood zone and had to be evacuated frequently. Now, they are the proud owners of a new three-bedroom condo.

The Millers are the 100th family that Habitat for Humanity East King County has helped move out of substandard or unaffordable housing and into new homes of their own.

The organization—an affiliate of the national Habitat for Humanity—was started in 1988 in Carnation. Since then, it has built houses in Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, Newcastle, Sammamish and Snoqualmie.

Nearly half of the 100 houses, however, have been built on Snoqualmie’s Koinonia Ridge, where the Millers now live, because of a city mandate to build affordable housing there.

“Getting to the 100th house is a milestone for East King County,” said director Tom Granger.

The East King County chapter builds about ten houses per year. The application process is long and verifies work and housing history to make sure the family has a steady income and can afford their new mortgage.

“Selecting families is a thrill, but it comes along with the need to tell so many other families that they have not been selected,” Granger said. The last opening received 25 applications.

After being selected, the family commits to 500 hours of “sweat equity” helping Habitat build houses—their neighbors’ and their own—and attending classes on home ownership and finances.

For Mary, getting to know the AmeriCorps members and other volunteers who helped build her house and getting to work on the houses that would soon be homes for her new neighbors was one of the best parts of the experience.

“I get emotional every time I think about it,” Mary said as she showed off an upstairs closet that houses the water heater. On the rafters inside the closet, volunteers had scrawled personal notes to the Millers in permanent markers.

After their home is complete, the family will own the house—they pay a zero-interest mortgage equal to the cost of materials and labor, without factoring in the thousands of dollars of donated materials or volunteer labor.

“This is an extremely gracious community,” Granger said. Over 3,500 people volunteer for the East King County chapter each year.

“Affordable housing is such a basic need that people can relate to, and to help somebody in your own community with that basic need is something that people respond to,” she said.

The Millers’ condo will cost them $110,000, well below the starting rates for market-value houses on the ridge. The mortgage payment is different for each family, and is calculated so they spend 30 percent of their income on housing costs.

Granger said each family who goes through the process of getting a home is extremely grateful and hard-working, but for every happy ending, many other families in East King County still go without safe and affordable housing.

Houses that are unsafe or unhealthy because they are leaky, moldy, flooded, overcrowded or with no heat or power are all too common, he said.

“There really aren’t slums in East King County, but there are substandard housing conditions—even in our own community—that are unacceptable.”

Mary and Jonathan said they are happy they were one of the lucky ones.

“We always assumed that we’d be homeowners,” said Jonathan, who works as a trainer at Nintendo, “but then everything started to kind of fall apart.”

Mary has had severe joint pain for five years and underwent four knee surgeries before being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at age 35. The medical bills and lost time from work took its toll financially, and they got stuck in a rut, he said.

Now, the family sees a new beginning.

“For so long, it felt like at any minute the bottom was going to fall out from under us,” Mary said, sitting on the couch with her children in her new living room, “now it feels like we have a future.”

Tara Ballenger: 392-6434, ext. 246, or tballenger@snovalleystar.com.

By Warren Kagarise, The Issaquah Press, December 1, 2009 - UPDATED

Volunteers and future homeowners contribute sweat equity in November at the Habitat for Humanity construction site on Northeast Magnolia Street in Issaquah Highlands.By Habitat for Humanity of East King County

Volunteers have poured into the Issaquah Highlands since July to help build Habitat for Humanity duplexes, and the residences should be completed by next fall.

The all-volunteer teams at the construction site along Northeast Magnolia Street are in the process of framing the units. Habitat of East King County Construction Manager Lee Brannam said the project generated “an amazing amount of support.”

Habitat for Humanity representatives and families joined city officials June 11 to break ground for the new development. Volunteers began construction work in earnest the next month.

When the project is completed, five duplexes will be available to house 10 families. Construction will take place in two phases. Residents should move into completed units next year, and another phase will be completed by 2012.

The units will be the first Habitat houses built in Issaquah in 15 years. Since the local Habitat affiliate was founded in 1988, volunteers have built more than 80 homes across the Eastside.

Brannam said volunteers from community organizations flocked to the highlands Habitat project.“Our numbers aren’t lacking on volunteers right now,” he added.

The ranks include Habitat families required by the program to contribute 500 hours of sweat equity toward their new homes. The residences planned for the highlands will include a mix of two- to four-bedroom units and range from 1,000 to 1,400 square feet.

“Families are out there working when they can,” Brannam said.

Habitat homeowners are picked based on need and ability to pay the mortgage. Families earn $20,400 to $40,700 — less than half of the 2008 King County median income for a family of four. Homeowners are also required to live or work in King County for at least a year. Habitat units are sold at cost — about $100,000 —and homeowners repay no-interest loans while Habitat retains ownership of the land.

The new units will also help satisfy part of the development agreement between the city and highlands developer Port Blakely Communities. The pact mandates at least 30 percent affordable housing in the highlands.

Jodi Bridges, special events and communications officer for the local Habitat branch, said at least two families had been selected for highlands units.

Mikel and Alissa Talton and their three children — Mikayla, 14, Hayleigh, 5, and Isaiah, 2 — earned a place in the highlands. So did the Reyes family: mother Lola, 19-year-old Patrick and 9-year-old Kyree. Both families told Habitat officials how they wanted to settle in the highlands and put down roots in a community.

The families attended the June groundbreaking, where Alissa Talton told the crowd how Habitat officials surprised her and said she and her husband, a Navy reservist, had been selected for the highlands development.

“I started crying and shaking,” she said. “I was so excited.”

How to help

Sign up to volunteer in construction or nonconstruction roles, or donate to Habitat for Humanity of East King County, at www.habitatekc.org.

Warren Kagarise: 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.

By Christopher Huber, The Issaquah Press, November 15, 2009 - UPDATED

Custom-home builder Dwight Martin has spent his career building fancy houses on the Eastside. The Sammamish resident has also used his construction skills to help build affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity in Bellevue, he said.

Since the 1990s, Martin has traveled with the organization to assist in Louisiana, Ghana and India. Now he’s headed to Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Along with 19 Sammamish, Issaquah, Redmond and Bellevue residents, Martin is working in the 26th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project Nov. 15-20 in Southeast Asia. The work project is the Carters’ partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

“Everybody everywhere, one of the basic needs is housing,” Martin said. “Working with Habitat for Humanity you get out into the country and really … meet them where they live.”

The local team includes John Balciunas and Doug Copley, both of Sammamish.

Although the Sammamish residents will only be in Thailand, volunteers for the event will build with an estimated 175 families in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and China’s Sichuan Province, according to Habitat for Humanity. The Carters will join the approximately 3,000 volunteers and various celebrities in Chiang Mai.

“Its like a vacation with a purpose,” said Mary Martin, Sammamish resident and Habitat for Humanity East King County’s resource development director. “You travel to a unique place, yet do something worthwhile.”

The work project launches a five-year Mekong Build campaign, which will assist families in building affordable homes, according to the event press release. Habitat’s East King County affiliate donated $100,000 to the cause. Habitat for Humanity East King County has been preparing for this year’s project since January.

Dwight Martin said the families they helped had been working for weeks to complete their respective home’s foundation before the volunteers’ arrival. He and the others spent the week constructing walls, roofs and everything in between.

Just because some of the volunteers know how to build houses, does not everyone needs specific skills, he said. Anyone willing to pay his or her own way and work for the cause is encouraged to participate each year.

“For those of us who have the resources to go to a part of the world … (with people) that don’t have the resources, and to improve the place where they live, it’s just a lot of fun to be a part of that,” Dwight Martin said.

The workers will dedicate the homes to their owners Nov. 20, Mary Martin said.

Mary Martin, who has volunteered with various building projects in the past, said for many, working away from the tourist areas and with the families in need is the best part of it all.

“Filling a real need is really great,” she said.

Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com

By Greg Farrar, The Issaquah Press, September 22, 2009 - UPDATED


Ivy Howerton, Cynthia Aisaka, Nalena Santiago and Andrea Parsek (from left) transport and place rocks in a channel for erosion control, along with hay bales and hydroseeded soil, Sept. 19 at the Habitat for Humanity building site in the Issaquah Highlands. The buildathon still needs volunteers on Saturdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., through Oct. 3. Visit www.habitatbuildathon.org or call the Habitat East King County office at 869-6007 to choose a volunteer shift. By Greg Farrar

By Hunter Deiglmeier, The Issaquah Press, August 25, 2009

Work for a great cause by volunteering for the Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Thon from Sept. 19 – Oct. 3.Habitat for Humanity, Seattle/South King County and Habitat for Humanity, East King County, are joining together for the buildathon to help low-income individuals and families. Due to the downfall in the economy and lack of jobs, volunteers are needed to work at construction sites or work in the Habitat for Humanity offices.

There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer, according to Jillian Gross, who works at the Seattle/South King County Habitat for Humanity.

“We still need volunteers,” said Jodi Bridges, who works at the East King County Habitat for Humanity.

“We’ve got room for up to 2,000 volunteers,” Gross said.

There are five areas on the Eastside where people can volunteer. In Issaquah, Build-A-Thon volunteers can work on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Saturdays, either on the morning or afternoon shift.

“The morning shift starts at 8:45 a.m. and the afternoon shift starts at 12:45 p.m.,” Bridges said. “All volunteers from the morning and afternoon shift are welcome to eat lunch at noon.”

The idea is not about individual affiliates, Gross said, emphasizing that although there are two separate Habitat for Humanity organizations — Seattle/South King County and East King County — the community as a whole is still in need of help.

According to Bridges, there will be 10 families living in the houses built in Issaquah through the buildathon. However, in order to build these homes, volunteers from the Issaquah community are needed.

“We need help from the community to be able to do this,” she said. “It’s the community helping to move in other members of the community.”

AmeriCorps volunteers Liz Nixon and Susannah Zeveloff take a look at plans for the five unit site to be built in the Issaquah Highlands by Habitat for Humanity.Jake Lynch, Reporter

By JAKE LYNCH, Issaquah Reporter Editor, Aug 17 2009 - UPDATED

The slowed economy and a rise in unemployment has meant that more people are taking advantage of volunteering and pro-bono opportunities - to build their resumes or just to stay busy.

People in Issaquah and Sammamish will soon have the chance to do some volunteer work in the Issaquah Highlands.

Habitat for Humanity, which is building five houses in the Highlands for low income families, is about to launch their very first Build-a-Thon, which will give people interested in volunteering just a few days, or a few hours, of their time on a Habitat build site the opportunity to do so.

Volunteering for the Build-a-Thon is unique because it consists of a half-day only.

It also includes lunch, and the opportunity to earn an exclusive event t-shirt.

Volunteers can sign up for a morning or afternoon shift - a great way for volunteers to get their first experience working on a Habitat construction site.

Habitat is one of the popular options for volunteers in King County. Numbers of would-be volunteers have risen so much that Habitat has had to implement waiting lists.

Volunteering in the Build-a-Thon is one way to get around the waiting list.

As well as the site in the Highlands, Habitat build sites still available for the Build-a-Thon also include High Point in West Seattle, Rainier Vista in South Seattle, Snoqualmie and the Habitat Home Improvement Outlet.

Habitat is accepting volunteers for the dates of Sept. 19 through Oct. 3.

In order to sign up, volunteers agree to work one half-day shift and ask friends and neighbors to sponsor their shift with a financial donation to Habitat.

The goal of the Build-a-Thon is to raise money to help Habitat build more homes for families earning 60 percent or less of the median income for King County, or less than $50,580 a year for a family of four.

Many of these families pay a much-larger-than-normal portion of their income for housing, and often the housing is seriously deficient, with problems such as mold or leaky roofs.

Both King County Habitat affiliates see the Build-a-Thon as a way to forge relationships needed to change the face of housing in the community, where only 18 percent of single-family homes are affordable to families earning less than 80 percent of the median income.

For more information on the Build-a-Thon, go to www.habitatbuildathon.org.

For more information on the Habitat for Humanity project in the Issaquah Highlands, go to www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/iss-s/news/.


Issaquah Reporter Editor Jake Lynch can be reached at editor@issaquah-reporter.com.

Shirley and Bob Patterson, for which Patterson Park is named, accept a small token of appreciation from Habitat for Humanity of East King County. Courtesy of Dave Truckenmiller

By MARY STEVENS DECKER, Redmond Reporter Reporter, Jun 19 2009 - UPDATED

Habitat for Humanity of East King County dedicated the final six homes in the 24-home Patterson Park project, off Avondale Road near Northeast 95th Street, on Saturday, June 13.

The event was the culmination of “more than five years of hard work by family partners, volunteers, staff, AmeriCorps and other Habitat supporters,” said Jodi Bridges, special events and communications officer for Habitat for Humanity East King County (EKC).

About 100 people attended, including Redmond Mayor John Marchione and six partner families who participated in the building of the new homes that they’ll be able to move into on July 1.

According to a fact sheet from Habitat EKC, homeowners are selected based on need, willingness to partner with Habitat, ability to pay mortgage and residence or employment in King County for at least one year.

Habitat families earn $20,400 to $40,700, less than half of 2008 King County median income for a family of four. They provide 500 hours of “sweat equity” as a down payment, working on their own home or the home of a Habitat neighbor.

To ensure that Habitat homes stay affordable in perpetuity, Habitat EKC retains ownership of the land. When it is time for homeowners to move on, their houses are sold back to Habitat EKC and resold to another qualified family.

The homes are “Built Green Certified” by the Masters Builders Association — designed to be durable, environmentally friendly and cost-effective, all characteristics that fit well with the City of Redmond’s goals of sustainability.

Father Jim Eichner, rector at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in Redmond, attended the dedication event to represent one of the six coalitions of churches and businesses which have adopted townhome units at Patterson Park.

“Each coalition raised $100,000 for the building materials of each unit,” said Eichner. “Each coalition provided volunteers on certain days to work on the project. So there were hundreds of volunteers and $600,000 in donations, over the past 14 months, to build the six townhomes for six families. I can’t say enough good about the families who got the homes. Each of them contributed over 500 hours of ‘sweat equity’ in construction and our community is very blessed to welcome them.”

Redmond Reporter Reporter Mary Stevens Decker can be reached at mdecker@redmond-reporter.com or (425) 867-0353, ext. 5052.