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Volunteer Opportunities Abound at Veterans Build 2024

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Nearly 1.5 million veterans currently pay at least 50% of their income on housing each month, creating a financial strain that makes covering the basics of daily life challenging and puts creating long-term stability through building wealth completely out of reach. 

Starting on November 6, 2024, Habitat for Humanity SKKC will honor veterans during 12 days of volunteer experiences that bring together veterans, military families and their neighbors.  Aimed at bridging the gap from military to civilian life, Habitat’s Veterans Build 2024 will accelerate completion of projects that offer special homeownership opportunities for veterans.

Experiences like Veterans Build 2024 not only help to ease the transition to civilian life, but they provide fulfilling community engagement for veterans and their families. They help build the critical connections to information and resources needed to re-integrate into life out of uniform. The program welcomes volunteers of all skill levels, ages 16 and older, to work alongside veterans to build affordable housing in our communities while developing lasting relationships with the people who’ve sacrificed to serve our nation.

Habitat’s SKKC’s application process provides opportunities to qualified veteran applicants to leverage their VA loans under a special provision. When a veteran buys a Habitat home, we honor their service by providing them with the tools and support they need to build a stable and prosperous future.  

The goal for this year’s Veterans Build is to raise $35,000 and engage nearly 150 volunteers for 9 group workdays, ending November 16.  With an ideal work group of 20 volunteers per site, we invite volunteers from companies, classes, or organizations that are interested in supporting veterans. Groups already participating in Habitat’s Veterans Build 2024 include: Amazon, Slalom, Seattle Seahawks, Prime Electric, Rosen Harbottle, MG2, and Gypsum Management and Supply. To reserve space for a volunteer group, please contact Alex Wyatt: alex.wyatt@habitatskc.org.

Additionally, Habitat SKKC will host a virtual information session for veterans on Tuesday, November 12. The session will provide details on Habitat’s program qualifications, and out how veterans can apply to the homeownership program. To register, contact Marissa London at marissa.london@habitatskc.org.

To find out more about Habitat SKKC’s veterans homeownership program go to: buyhabitat.org/Veterans.

2024 Interfaith Build Draws Record Number of Volunteers 

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More than 100 volunteers from a variety of regional faith and interfaith communities came together at Habitat for Humanity SKKC’s Yarrow Cottages site for five days in September as part of the annual Interfaith Build. Led by long-time Habitat SKKC volunteer Jim O’Farrell, this year’s event hosted the most volunteers of any local Interfaith Build to-date. 

Initiated in response to 9/11 under the name “Together We Build,” dozens of Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Sikh, and other interfaith groups have been convening each year to build for the community, overcome the cultural divisions that rise in the wake of violence, and to practice creating a better world together. More than 50 faith communities have participated in local Interfaith Builds since the program’s inception. 

The 2024 Interfaith Build kicked off on September 6, featuring lunchtime speakers Deacon Steve Wodzanowski from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and Reverend Terry Kyllo with Paths to Understanding, and concluded on September 14. When completed this Fall, the Yarrow Cottages will provide 26 hard-working local families with wages less than 80% of the average median income with permanently affordable home ownership opportunities. Yarrow’s homes will feature 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, brand new appliances, and easy access to parks, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and downtown Seattle.

“The Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Build 2024 showed how much we can achieve when people from diverse faiths come together for a common cause. It wasn’t just about building homes; it was about building connections and fostering understanding between communities,” O’Farrell shared. “As we look to 2025, our focus will be on deepening those relationships, creating more opportunities for dialogue, and ensuring that everyone—no matter their background or skill level—feels welcome and empowered to contribute. Together, we can continue to strengthen the bonds that unite us and make a lasting impact.”

Volunteers from the following faith communities participated in the 2024 Interfaith Build: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Seattle; Beth Am Temple in Seattle; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Seattle; Paths to Understanding in Bothell; Bear Creek United Methodist Church; Islamic Center of Bothell; Gurudwara Sikh Community of Bothell; Peace Lutheran in West Seattle; Westside Interfaith Network; Queen Anne Lutheran; Northshore Interfaith Group; Interfaith Community Sanctuary; Holy Rosary Catholic Church of West Seattle; and numerous religious, yet unaffiliated individuals.

To view photos of this year’s Interfaith Build click here.

To learn more about next year’s Interfaith Build click here.

Meet Your Giving Goals, Enjoy Tax Benefits, and Provide Funds for Habitat SKKC 

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Not all donations have to be made with cash … non-cash, tax efficient gifts can go even further and help Habitat SKKC to promote self-reliance and stability through affordable housing. Smart giving … what method is most beneficial for you?

Do you own a highly appreciated stock or mutual funds? 

Donating stock, mutual funds, or other appreciated assets can be an extremely tax efficient way to support Habitat. When you donate appreciated assets held for more than one year, you may avoid capital gains taxes and be eligible to take a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the asset.  Habitat makes the gift of stock quick and simple.  Make a stock donation.

Do you have a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)?  

DAF’s allow donors to put a large sum of money, stocks, or crypto into a charitable investment account, get an immediate tax deduction, and pay out donations over time.  DAF’s make it simple to give money already set aside for charity. Give a grant from your DAF today.  

Are you 70 ½ or older with an IRA? 

If you are 70½ years or older, you can give any amount up to $105,000 (2004 limit) from your IRA directly to our cause without having to pay income taxes on the money. For donors 73 and older, you can use your gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution.  

To make this type of gift, contact your IRA Administrator to request a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).  Provide the account number for the distribution, the amount of the distribution, and indicate that it will satisfy part or all of your required minimum distribution for 2024.  Ask that your name be clearly identified as donor on the face of the check and indicate your intention that the charitable rollover gift complies with the IRS Qualified Charitable Distributions requirements. Provide this information for mailing the check:  

Charity name:  Habitat for Humanity Seattle King & Kittitas Counties

Address:  500 Naches Ave SW, Ste 200, Renton, WA  98057

Contact:  Amy Farrier, 206.456.6943, amy.farrier@habitatskc.org

EIN/Tax ID: 91-1342397

Join us in extending a hand up to families and individuals to build a better, brighter future through homeownership

The Puget Sound Business Journal: Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on condo project in Seattle

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On an empty lot in South Seattle on Monday, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for its largest single-building multifamily project in the U.S.

The five-story, 58-unit condominium development at 5022 Martin Luther King Jr. Way is intended for first-time homebuyers making less than 80% of area median income.

Brett D’Antonio, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties, called it the most complicated project the organization has done in the Puget Sound region.

“We spent a lot of time over the last two years during pre-development figuring out what changes we need to make to fit our business model to make sure it was successful,” D’Antonio said.

Click the link to read the full article.

Celebrating Nearly 32,000 Hours of Volunteer Commitment

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More than 120 devoted Habitat for Humanity SKKC fans spent a beautiful summer evening at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, August 8 for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night. Habitat staff, volunteers, and donors came out to soak up the sun and get to know so many others with whom they share a commitment to build safe and affordable housing for all in the Puget Sound region.    

It was also an opportunity to celebrate this year’s exceptional volunteers and generous donors. Enthusiastic applause punctuated the Volunteer Awards presentation with Jim O’Farrell earning this year’s Volunteer of the Year award for his tireless work on this year’s Interfaith Build – the largest to-date in our affiliate’s history. 

More outstanding volunteers who earned recognition:

  • Jerry Haas earned the Construction Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Kayla Shuster Sasaki is this year’s Advocacy Volunteer of the Year
  • Paul Gustie was awarded Homeowner Services Volunteer of the Year
  • Addison Hawk, is the Habitat Stores Volunteer of the Year

Habitat’s Volunteer Program Manager Caroline Keck reported, “We all made our way to the ballgame to see the Mariners face off against the Detroit Tigers.” With plenty of popcorn, beer, and laughter, she said everyone had a blast. The excitement continued when the Mariners clinched a dramatic win in the bottom of the 9th inning, capping off a fantastic evening with a thrilling finish!

If you, your family or company would like to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity SKKC, please contact Caroline Keck at caroline.keck@habitatskc.org