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Dan Lear is the director of development and communications for the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Founded in 1978, Habitat for Humanity International’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty by providing a home to low-income families. Habitat relies on volunteer labor both to build the homes as well as to man the resale stores. The local chapter, founded in 1988, provides homes throughout the seven cities in Hampton Roads. The homes are sold to low-income families based on what they can afford. The family takes out a mortgage for 30% of their income. Habitat then provides a second no-interest mortgage which is forgiven after 15 years. The home valuation is set based on the comparable homes in the neighborhood. Most families which get a Habitat home has spent between 50% and 70% of their income on rent. Studies have shown that 60% of children who grow up in homes owned by their parents will own their own homes. Responding to a need, the local chapter expanded its mission in October 2021 to provide home repairs to low-income and income-constrained seniors, disabled, and veterans to allow them to remain in their homes. Habitat has received monies for this effort from foundations including Sentara Cares, the Blocker Foundation, and United Way as well as HUD block grants. Longer term, they believe that funding will be more challenging as the younger generation is not as philanthropic as the baby boomers. In addition to funding, they are also facing the challenge of finding land on which to build new homes and the cost of materials and supply chain interruptions. Before COVID, they would build four to five homes annually. During COVID, they built two homes. They are planning to have a woman build week where the house will be built by women and a hero build week for police, fire, military, and healthcare providers. The Meeting Dr. Stephen Jones is recovering from surgery. Barb Lipskis fell while playing golf and broke her arm. Jeff Wells introduced Sarah Woods Bigler who owns Coastal View Realty. Randy Garrett introduced his finance, Caroline Hunter. Laure Kiger introduced Shawn Young and Patrick Ratier, a member of the French Navy currently stationed with NATO. The Golf Tournament will be held at the Cypress Point Country Club and will include an auction as part of the social following the tournament. Tom Koller urges members to contribute items for the auction and to sign up for the tournament and the open-to-all social afterward. Sigur Whitaker, our Foundation Chair, presented a Major Donor crystal to Pam and Ace Tubbs, a PHF +6 to Marilyn Gowen, and PHF + 2 to Joe Massey. An impromptu auction was held for two tickets to the Norfolk Forum on September 7 featuring travel writer Rick Steves. The two tickets were won by Joe Massey who immediately donated them to whomever could go as he already as tickets to the talk. Our Rotary Club is going to have a float in the Illumination Parade which will be held on November 19. We will need 24 volunteers to participate. The District Conference is being held in Richmond from October 14-16. It is a chance to mingle with Rotarians throughout District 7600 and learn more about Rotary. Happy Bucks: - Laurie Harrison was fined from the floor for not announcing that we had transitioned to Happy Bucks.
- Lisa Chandler for being one of the 500 Virginia Business Leaders
- Sharon Laderberg gave in honor of her “best medicine” (her grandson) who made her smile after recent surgery.
- Bill LeHew is celebrating ODU’s victory over Virginia Tech.
- Barb Lifland for a trip to International Falls, Minnesota to see the aurora borealis.
- Sally Hartman’s portrait is currently on display at Gallery 21 as part of an exhibit by Glen McClure. Also on display is her son’s Luke, portrait.
- Pam Tubbs is celebrating her birthday by contributing one dollar each year.
- Sigur Whitaker contributed because her niece has graduated from college.
- Joey Rothgery provided a “paid advertisement” for the Master Gardeners which will begin their next class in 2023. The classes fill up quickly.
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Rotarians love a good party, and Linwood and his wife, Frances, hosted a great one recently at their Freemason home. The after-work social was an opportunity for new Rotarians and veteran members of our club to get to know each other better in a casual atmosphere with good food, beverages and fellowship. 
