Triumph House & Habitat for Humanity
Dates and Funds
Click here for the most current building schedule. Sign ups for workshifts will be on May 9th and 16th.
It costs $60,000 to build a house with Habitat. The Session has comitted $30,000, and has challenged the congregation to donate an additional $30,000.
In Luke chapter 6, Jesus tells his followers what it means to hear his words and to act on them: it “is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built.”
For the past several years the leaders of Sunnyside, as well as the entire congregation, have listened for a word from God as we have discerned the future for our church family. Part of that call was to make our church home a more welcoming and accessible place for members, visitors and the community at large. We heard that call and by the grace of God and the generosity of so many people, we were able to act on that call.
We have also heard a call from God through Jesus’ teachings to be engaged outside of our own walls and to give to and serve those in need around us. As a response to the ways that God has blessed our congregation, we will dramatically act on this call this Spring as Sunnyside funds and builds a home through Habitat for Humanity for a local family in need.
“Triumph House” will be a celebration of the triumphs of God through our congregation as well as the triumphs of the family who will receive this house through their own hard work and commitment. Plans are already underway in scheduling and coordinating the actual building of the house which will take place primarily between June 4th and June 12th, with some work days before and after this week as needed.
Below you will find the variety of ways that we encourage people to get involved.
Direct donations to the house: While these gifts are somewhat symbolic, we will also give people a chance to give specific gifts in honor or memory of loved ones. For example, if you would like to donate funds to cover a window in the house we would mark that window (under the drywall) with a name of your choosing.
Habitat Corner: We will have a designated spot in the Gathering Place where you can get more information about the project, and where we will track the status of our fundraising. Additionally in this corner, we will be selling homemade items donated by Sunnysiders. Susan Shields will be coordinating these efforts. We would encourage everyone to check out the items for sale each week and consider purchasing something there.
Youth Fundraising: The Junior High youth will continue to collect Spartan Labels (UPC Codes) throughout the Spring that they will be able to turn it for cash. You can find boxes to drop those in at the two main entrances to the church building. Closer to the build, the Senior Highs will be selling a Sunnyside/Habitat T-shirt to raise money for the project as well.
Business Sponsorship: We are also open to donations from local businesses. Sponsorship will be acknowledged on the T-shirt and in other publicity information. We would also encourage businesses/workplaces to consider sponsoring one of the work shifts for the build as a great opportunity for your own staff building. Please mark the enclosed card if you would like to be contacted with more information on sponsorships.
Building the House: We will need many hands both skilled and unskilled to help actually building the house in June. Days will be broken up into morning and afternoon shifts. If you are able, please consider working a shift, a day or even the whole week. What a great way to spend your summer vacation, giving your time to a family in need! Sign ups for work days will start in April.
Meal Preparation: We plan to have lunches provided for people on all of the work days. If you don’t feel like you can help with the actual work on the house, consider working at the church that week to help cook and deliver meals to the worksite. This is just as important for building up our community!
Lent Fundraising: In lieu of participating in our annual One Great Hour of Sharing program, children and families will be provided with house banks with guidelines for educating children on the work of Habitat for Humanity
Children’s Programming: During the full work week, we hope to provide childcare/children’s programming for Sunnyside families. More information will come about these activities later in the Spring, but you can speak with Linda Linnen now about your willingness to help volunteer for these programs. We don’t want anyone to not be able to help on the house because they don’t have childcare!
As you can see, there are many ways that each of us can be a part of this exciting project. The enclosed card will help you make a donation or to volunteer your time towards these efforts.
We give thanks that God has richly blessed our congregation, and we look forward together to this opportunity to celebrate and to act upon the message of the Gospel.
