Wimberley Valley Habitat for Humanity (WVHH) held its Fifth Annual Appreciation Dinner April 29, 2010 at the Chapel in the Hills.  Nearly 80 volunteers enjoyed a traditional barbeque dinner from Miss Mae’s. Heather Burgin of Wimberley performed traditional folk and inspirational music for the event 

WVHH is completing House # 13 in the area, with the help of homeowner partner family Martha Dietz, and sons, Taylor and Parker Teutsch.   Interior painting is well under way on the home and the dedication will be scheduled when the final major work is completed.

The local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International builds one house a year in the Wimberley Valley.  Habitat’s mission is to provide affordable, quality housing to selected homeowners , who themselves provide 300 hours of sweat equity as a partner in the building process.

President Brent Pulley recognized the special contribution of a group of volunteers from the Church of Christ .  This group traditionally provides a Big Lunch on the Big Build Saturday, when the entire house is framed in a day.  Nearly 60 building volunteers turn out for the Big Build, and the volunteers from the Church of Christ feed them well.

WVHH also honored another group of volunteers who are integral to its success.  A significant number of people who volunteer at the Village Store donate their time to Habitat.  These volunteer hours translate into revenue for building expenses on each Habitat home built in Wimberley. 

In addition to the large group of volunteers who come to the Big Build, there is a core of volunteers who work diligently as a small and faithful group to advance the building process from framing to completion.   President Pulley recognized this hardworking group, which is ably led by Jim McMeans, Past President of WVHH.   McMeans recognized two of these dedicated volunteers for their exceptional service.  Max Hawthorne was honored as the 2009-2010 Volunteer of the Year.  Darrell Peterson was presented with the “Tough as Nails” award.  Peterson, a licensed electrician, has wired ten of the thirteen houses built by WVHH.

More than forty businesses, churches and non-profit organizations provide support for building Habitat homes in the Wimberley Valley.  Each part of each home is touched by the generosity of this group.  In-kind donations of services, labor and material are a key component of the process.  Other businesses, churches and non-profit organizations provide financial support.

Mike Lopez of Habitat Texas was the keynote speaker.  Mr. Lopez is responsible for educating Habitat affiliates in sustainable building practices.  After spending the afternoon in Wimberley touring Habitat homes, with Board Member, Rick Burleson, local architect who plans the design of WVHH homes; and Anna Fisher, who serves to increase our awareness of recycling and other ways to protect our environment, Mr. Lopez admitted to being duly impressed with the WVHH homes he observed.

WVHH thanks all of those who contribute to the success of Habitat in the area.