Habitat for Humanity EKC: Newsroom

2009: Year in Review Pt 1 - January to July

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."

Church groups, homeowners pitch in on affordable housing project


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.