Habitat raising money, awareness at upcoming events

Work continues on Legacy Trails, the chapter’s second Springfield subdivision, where $540,000 of infrastructure work was just completed and five of 56 homes are complete or under way.

While a large portion of the work has been funded by state and federal grants – $200,000 from Missouri’s Community Development Block Grant program and another $140,000 through the federal Self-Help Homeownership Opportunities Program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development – the chapter gets the rest of its funding through fund-raisers and donations.

Anna Codutti, local development director for Habitat for Humanity of Springfield, said the group is trying to raise awareness and money through two upcoming events.

First is the group’s booth for the ReStore – the organization’s facility that sells used and donated building supplies – at the Home Builders Association of Greater Springfield’s Remodeling Show Oct. 20–22 at the Missouri Entertainment & Event Center.

Second is the chapter’s second annual Tool Belts & Bow Ties dinner and auction Nov. 17 at University Plaza Convention Center. Codutti said the chapter hopes to raise as much as $40,000 through the event, which features Habitats for Habitots – custom-built playhouses.

“They’re designed by students, by architects here in town, construction clubs – the kind you’d never find retail,” she said.

See SBJ’s Oct. 16 issue for more on local efforts by Habitat for Humanity.