October Habitat Highlights
Article By: Terry McElligott
October Habitat Highlights
NEWBERG AREA HABITAT GALA BUILDS MORE THAN HOPE
The Building Hope Gala, hosted by Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity (NAHFH), was a dinner auction event that was attended by approximately 80 people. The night started with a cocktail hour, and attendees were encouraged to peruse and bid on silent auction items and mingle while sipping on wine donated by featured sponsor Chehalem Mountains Winegrowers Association.
Ticket holders could bid on items like a year’s worth of artisan candy, music lessons, and tickets to Portland Thorns women’s soccer games. Raffle tickets were also being sold for a hot air balloon ride, bundled with a Magnum of Rosé and a Newbergundian brunch. After dinner, the live auction featured a year of wine, various national and international trips, and the opportunity to raise their bid paddle to make a cash donation. All winners from the silent and live auctions were notified of their winnings.
Shannon Selah, Director of Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity, shared statistics that have financially supported the Newberg affiliate. Newberg Habitat has received $1.8 million in development grants, awarded $150,000 for staffing funding, and $67,000 through language access grants. Other 2025 milestones included pre-development planning for two homes on Fifth Street, repairing six homes, completing two homes and starting a third house on College Street, developing a 3-Year Strategic Plan, hiring a community outreach coordinator, completing a new website with translations, and beginning the planning phase of the Dundee Commons project.
Board member and organizer of the event, Jacob Breazile, shared about the importance of community support to forward the mission of Habitat. NAHFH currently builds one house per year, and the board has set a goal of building four homes and repairing 15 home projects per year. This goal can only be attained through contributed hours from volunteers and fundraising efforts like the Gala.
What does being chosen as a Habitat recipient mean to a family, and how does it change a life? The vision and mission of Habitat were beautifully shared through a video of one Habitat family. The homeowner shared the story of her family and moving from an apartment into a remodeled home by Habitat. She shared the relief to have a place that would belong to her boys and how the new home would provide a space of freedom and belonging.
She shared how the community volunteered alongside them, planning and building. Once moving into their new home, she was overwhelmed with gratitude for NAHFH. Even though she and her family have lived in their home for years, recounting her family’s journey still brought tears to her eyes. Others in the audience also shed tears knowing that supporting Habitat means lifting up families within our community.
An event like the Building Hope Gala would not have been possible without the efforts of so many individuals. Marvin Eans designed the event materials of the program, postcards, and signage in both digital and printed formats. He and his wife also donated their time and did the photography during the night’s event. Corey Abraira was the professional videographer who used his talent to create the moving film about our Habitat family. Jazz music was presented by the Big Bad Beat, and dinner was catered by Signature Affair.
Jacob Breazile and his committee spent months planning and organizing the event. The Gala grossed approximately $46,000 and was both a successful night for NAHFH and enjoyable for all who attended. After all expenses have been paid, Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity will net about $28,000. Thanks to all who attended the Building Hope Gala and celebrated the achievements of NAHFH. Most importantly, thanks to all who donated, attended, and embraced the future vision – building homes that give families hope, one structure at a time.
RESTORE NOW OPEN ON WEDNESDAYS
¿Alguna vez te has preguntado cuánto dinero se recauda con tus compras en la tienda ReStore? La próxima vez que vayas de compras, fíjate en la pizarra que cuelga en la pared y que registra las ventas de la tienda. Desde principios de 2025, se han recaudado 247.906 dólares para la construcción de viviendas. Además, más de 2.675 personas han realizado donaciones para continuar con la misión de Habitat.
Las donaciones y los fondos recaudados han ayudado a construir, rehabilitar o reciclar 32 viviendas en el área de Newberg desde 1994. Les recordamos que ahora tienen la oportunidad de comprar en la tienda ReStore los miércoles. Un día adicional de compras podría significar un día adicional de ahorros. Si busca muebles, obras de arte para decorar sus paredes, pintura o materiales de construcción para terminar un proyecto de bricolaje, visite la tienda ReStore. No solo encontrará los artículos que necesita, sino que sus compras seguirán apoyando los programas de construcción y reparación de Habitat for Humanity del área de Newberg.
