Press Releases
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FRAMED 1,000TH HOUSE
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CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY APPOINTS FORMER PRESIDENT OF NORMAN-BASED IDEAL HOMES TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Habitat Family Receives Keys to Bank7 Sponsored Home
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CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY COMPLETES 500TH CRITICAL HOME REPAIR
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2019 Women Build Begins!
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Members of the Oklahoma City Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club at our annual Women Build event, with Central Oklahoma Habitat Chairman & CEO, Ann Felton Gilliland, and new homeowner Ariel B.
Women Unite to Build Home for Single Mother
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity Kicks Off 18th Women Build
OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 12, 2019) – Honorary Women Build Chair Elizabeth Wilson and other female volunteers will frame a house for Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s (COHFH) 18th annual Women Build on Saturday, March 2. The home is being built for Habitat home buyer and single mother Ariel B. and her son.
Through hard work, an unwavering faith and the support of dedicated mentors, Ariel turned her life around, overcoming addiction and homelessness. Now a mentor herself, she says this new Habitat home will give her and her son stability, so she can continue showing others how they, too, can transform their lives.
“We are so grateful to be where we are today and especially to be given this opportunity. We have come such a long way through the help and support of the people who have lifted us up over the past few years,” said Ms B. “As a mother, I can’t wait to have a safe place for my son and somewhere we can start making lasting memories together – what an enormous blessing!”
“Central Oklahoma Habitat has been the inspiration for me to understand that God blesses everyone in His way,” said Wilson. “As this year’s honorary Women Build Chair, I look forward to helping fulfill Habitat’s mission to help families build strength, stability, and independence through housing.”
Wilson also is a member and past president of the Oklahoma City Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, which is a major supporter of this year’s Women Build event.
“Pi Beta Phi was founded in 1867, a time when women had very limited choices. They had few educational opportunities, few lifestyle choices and lacked even the right to vote,” she said. “The founders of Pi Phi had the vision to understand that as women, we are stronger when we work together. It is in that spirit of sisterhood that we come together to help another woman on her journey to independence.”
“We are truly excited to have Elizabeth’s leadership and the involvement of all our supporters for Women Build,” said Ann Felton Gilliland, Central Oklahoma Habitat chairman and CEO. “That’s why we hold this annual event -- not only to help end poverty housing, but also to spotlight the housing challenges women face right here in our community.”
Construction on the Women Build home will take place over eight subsequent weekends, with a home dedication ceremony set for Saturday, June 8. Volunteers typically commit to work one Saturday, rather than the full eight weeks. Anyone interested in volunteering or making a monetary donation toward the home build can call 405-232-4828 or visit YourHabitatHome.com.
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About Women Build
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity adopted the national Women Build program more than a decade ago. The Women Build program started in 1991 in Charlotte, N.C. and has grown across international borders. The program empowers women everywhere who want to learn construction skills and build homes, while addressing the housing crisis facing millions of women and children worldwide.
About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that provides affordable housing for hardworking, limited-income families. The organization has built 958 new homes in Central Oklahoma since 1990, all sold at cost and with no interest charged. For more information, visit cohfh.org or call 405-232-4828.
Thanks to the Rumsey Family’s $90,000 Gift, a
Central Oklahoma Habitat Family Will Be ‘Home for the Holidays’
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA. (Dec. 13, 2018) – Yet another Oklahoma family will be celebrating the holidays in their very own home, thanks to the generosity of retired business owners Gary and Diane Rumsey. This past fall the Rumseys donated $90,000 to Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, to underwrite the full construction costs of the new dwelling.
Along with their donation, for the past four months they personally helped build the home, and were assisted by their family and friends. The dedication ceremony celebrating its completion is scheduled for 2 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 20th, at 300 SW 148th in Oklahoma City.
In recognition of their support, the Rumseys were recently honored at Central Oklahoma Habitat’s annual Volunteer Recognition Event, where they formally presented their donation.
The recipients of the Rumseys’ philanthropy are a family that includes parents Ruben and Trinidad, and their three children, one of whom has special needs. This family worked alongside the Rumseys and other volunteers to fulfill their 300 hours of required “sweat equity” during construction. While this year’s wet weather limited the amount of time the Rumseys and the family could spend together on the job site, they nonetheless formed a strong bond.
“I loved visiting with the family during the colors and styles selection process,” Diane Rumsey said. “We also loved the framing day process! Everyone working together to create a beautiful home for this family made it very special.”
“We are so grateful to have wonderful supporters like the Rumseys who really care about making a difference on a local level,” said Ann Felton Gilliland, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity’s chairman and CEO. “This is not just a monetary donation we’re talking about in this case. The Rumseys and their friends came out rain and shine to help build this home for a deserving, hard-working family. We can’t thank them enough for their financial gift and for supporting our mission to help Oklahoma’s limited-income families achieve safe, stable housing.”
The new brick home is 1,509 square feet, with four bedrooms, plus a double car attached garage, a security alarm system and an eight-person capacity storm shelter. Central Oklahoma Habitat is one of the most energy-efficient builders in the state, and the home features geothermal vinyl double-pane windows, foam insulation in the walls and under the roof, and Class 4 impact-resistant composition shingles. The features in these homes typically save families as much as a third on their utility bills and homeowners’ insurance.
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About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that provides affordable housing for hardworking, limited-income families. The organization has built more than 950 new homes in central Oklahoma since 1990, all sold at cost and with zero interest charged.
Arvest Bank Honors Ann Felton Gilliland with Plaque
Arvest Bank loan assistant supervisor, Lindsey Beaman, stopped by the Central Habitat for Humanity office in December to present our CEO and Chairman, Ann Felton Gilliland, with a special gift.
The plaque commemorates Ann's selection as The Journal Record's 2018 "Woman of the Year".
Thank you Arvest Bank!
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About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that provides affordable housing for hardworking, limited income families. The organization has built over 900 new homes in central Oklahoma since 1990; all sold at cost and with zero interest mortgages. For more information, visit: cohfh.org or call: 405-232-4828.
NEW FACE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity to Host Open House August 11-12
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 31, 2018) – Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) will host an Open House from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11 at 8132 NW 71st in the Stephen Florentz Legacy Estates addition located near Wilshire Blvd. and Council Rd. in northwest Oklahoma City.
The Open House kicks off Phase II of the all-Habitat development, which is now accepting homeowner applications for 70 remaining lots. The addition includes a park, gazebo and picnic tables, walking trails with exercise stations, and a Homeowner’s Association. Once complete, Legacy Estates will be home to 146 families.
Interior Designer Lindsay Palazzolo of ZZolo Designs worked with local vendors to find budget-minded furniture to stage the Open House. The newly constructed four-bedroom, two-bathroom, brick home features a two-car garage, geothermal heating and cooling system, fence, sod grass and storm shelter.
“Our goal with the Open House is to show the public what affordable housing looks like by showcasing the quality, size and energy efficient standards of all COHFH homes,” said Ann Felton Gilliland, COHFH Chairman and CEO. “In addition, when you partner with COHFH, you get to choose your lot, floor plan, countertop and flooring.”
Gilliland says the organization also wants to make people aware that typical COHFH mortgage payments are around $800 per month.
“We encourage those who would like to own a home, instead of continuing to pay rent to come to the open house; applications will be available,” said Gilliland.
Benefits of owning a Habitat home over renting, include:
• Put down roots and become part of a community
• Zero interest mortgage payments
• No down payment or conventional home loan required
COHFH looks for responsible, hard-working adults, with or without children, and they can be single or married. Qualified Habitat partner-families must be willing to work 300 hours of sweat equity to serve as a down payment and must earn between $28,800 and $73,300 per year based on family size.
For more information about homeownership through COHFH, call: 405-232-4828 or visit: cohfh.org.
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About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry that provides affordable housing for hardworking, limited income families. The organization has built over 930 new homes in central Oklahoma since 1990; all sold at cost and with zero interest mortgages. COHFH builds 40-50 homes annually. For more information, visit: cohfh.org or call: 405-232-4828.
OG&E and Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity Partnership Celebrates Completion of 500th Positive Energy Home
Central Oklahoma Habitat’s 928th Home Dedicated to Family of Four
OKLAHOMA CITY (June 5, 2018) – Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) and OG&E celebrated the 500th Positive Energy Home at the home dedication for new Habitat homeowners Nang Za L. and Cin Zam H. and their three children on May 31, 2018.
“Our partnership in building OG&E Positive Energy Homes with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity provides clients with safe, affordable and energy efficient housing. We are really excited to be a part of this effort” said Kent Grant, OG&E Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “It’s what OG&E likes to call ‘positive energy together’ and it shows what we can do when we all work together.”
To celebrate the milestone, OG&E donated $25,000 toward the construction of the home and provided about 20 volunteers, who donated a day of labor to frame the home.
For more than 10 years, OG&E has had a consistent charitable impact on COHFH through financial donations, volunteerism, and most significantly, teaching contractors how to build energy-efficient homes. Leveraging in-house skills and knowledge, along with training materials from Energy Star®, OG&E has conducted several training sessions with COHFH superintendents and contractors, including examples and checklists to assist each contractor in meeting energy efficiency standards.
OG&E Positive Energy Homes employ advanced materials and innovative design to increase energy efficiency, reduce utility costs and meet or exceed all specifications of a 2010 Energy Star® home. Features include improved insulation, high-performance windows, airtight ducts, and high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment.
“We are beyond grateful to OG&E for the company’s ongoing support,” said Ann Felton Gilliland, chairman and chief executive of Central Oklahoma Habitat. "Thanks to our partnership with OG&E, we can achieve a higher standard of construction and overall quality on every home we build, which in turn provides our homeowners with not only utility savings, but also a higher level of comfort in every season.”
The energy savings combined with a Habitat zero-interest mortgage loan will make the home extremely affordable for the new homeowners. For more information about Central Oklahoma Habitat’s corporate partners or to apply to become a homeowner, visit: cohfh.org.
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About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that provides affordable housing for hardworking, limited income families. The organization has built over 900 new homes in central Oklahoma since 1990; all sold at cost and with zero interest mortgages. For more information, visit: cohfh.org or call: 405-232-4828.
About OG&E
Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE: OGE), is Oklahoma’s largest electric utility. For more than a century, we have provided customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes at rates below the national average. OG&E employees live, work and volunteer in the communities we serve. For more information about OG&E, visit us on the Internet at http://www.oge.com or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ogepower and Twitter: @OGandE.
Maxwell Supply of Oklahoma City Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity Home Sponsorship
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity to dedicate 936th home
OKLAHOMA CITY (July 2018) – Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) and Maxwell Supply Company of Oklahoma City, will dedicate a home for new homeowners Pau T. and Dim Ngaih H. and their three young children on Thursday, August 2, 2018.
To celebrate Maxwell Supply’s 60th year of service to the construction industry, the company sponsored the home and provided manpower for the house framing. Maxwell Supply has partnered with COHFH since 1990. The company provided foundation packages for rebar on Habitat builds for almost 20 years before sponsoring its first fully funded home in 2009.
This marks Maxwell Supply’s fifth home sponsorship for COHFH.
“Every time Maxwell Supply has the opportunity to participate in a home dedication it is equally as rewarding as the last,” said Jerry Thomason, Maxwell Supply Chairman. “Maxwell is proud to partner with an organization that not only enriches families’ lives through homeownership but also strengthens our community at large.”
COHFH Chairman and CEO Ann Felton Gilliland says this is Maxwell’s 5th full house sponsorship with the non-profit.
“We are beyond grateful for corporate partners like Maxwell and are excited to stand beside their leadership team as we dedicate our 936th home,” said Felton Gilliland. In addition, when you work with a company, like Maxwell, for as long as we have, you get excited to celebrate their milestones with them. We applaud Maxwell’s commitment to building a better Oklahoma for 60 years.”
Maxwell Supply President Charlie Thomason says the company values not only supporting local non-profit organizations but also local businesses.
“We work with Oklahoma contractors because we like to keep money right here in our community. This is a big part of where we are today as a company.”
A celebration will be held this fall to celebrate Maxwell Supply’s 60th.
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About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian housing ministry that provides affordable housing for hardworking, limited income families. The organization has built over 930 new homes in central Oklahoma since 1990; all sold at cost and with zero interest mortgages. COHFH builds 40-50 homes annually. For more information, visit: cohfh.org or call: 405-232-4828.
About Maxwell Supply of Oklahoma City
Since 1958, Maxwell Supply provides exemplary service to engineering and construction companies from a project’s beginning to end. Maxwell supports companies working on government, commercial, and residential projects. The company added a Tulsa store in 1975 and a Lawton store in 2008. Maxwell Supply supports the local community by giving back to Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity and the Oklahoma City Food Bank. Visit Maxwell Supply online at maxokc.com.
WOMEN VOLUNTEERS UNITE FOR
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S NATIONAL WOMEN BUILD WEEK
2018 Women Build to support family of seven
Mustang, Okla. (May 5, 2018) – Oklahoma City area women volunteers kicked off National Women Build week this morning with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) at the house framing for Jessica H. and Miguel N. and their 5 children. 2018 Honorary Women Build Chair Gloria Torres, OKCPS Board of Education Vice Chair and District 6 board member, is leading the charge on the 12-week home build.
“Empowered women empower women. Across our state, we are increasing awareness about the power women have to not only take care of ourselves, but to take care of others,” said Torres. “This is a prime example of the difference women can make when we work together.
Each year, National Women Build Week is held the week leading up to Mother’s Day. Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s created the nationwide initiative in 2008, bringing together more than 117,000 all-women construction volunteers to build or repair homes with nearly 5,000 families over the past 10 years. This year, Lowe’s donated nearly $2 million to Habitat for Humanity to support the 2018 National Women Build Week, which is set to take place in 300 communities nationwide.
Locally, the South OKC Lowe’s presented safety and building practices at a COHFH Women Build Reception prior to the kick off of the Women Build, as well as providing volunteers to physically build the home.
“We are proud to partner with Lowe’s to educate, inspire and empower women to advocate and help Habitat homeowners love where they live through building an affordable place they can call home,” said Sonja Potts, Central Oklahoma Habitat COO. “What these ladies are doing is investing in our community.
Habitat families make great neighbors – they’re hardworking, tax paying citizens, who become active in their community because it is important to them to raise their family in a safe and healthy environment.”
“This program has opened the door for us to set new goals and provide financial stability. We want to become small business owners and Central Oklahoma Habitat has given us the hope that all things are possible if you trust in God and continue to pursue your dreams in life,” said Jessica H., future Habitat homeowner. “To work and fulfill our partnership with Central Oklahoma Habitat will be such a privilege. We are willing to serve with love, responsibility and a tremendous gratitude.”
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About Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that provides affordable housing for hardworking, limited income families. The organization has built more than 900 new homes in central Oklahoma since 1990; all sold at cost and with zero interest mortgages. For more information, visit cohfh.org or call 405-232-4828.
About Lowe’s in the Community
Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Gives Foundation together have contributed more than $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.