Calvin Klein T-shirt Sale to Benefit Habitat's Earthquake Response in Japan

Calvin Klein has designed a special tee-shirt to be sold in its freestanding stores in Hong Kong in aid of Habitat for Humanity Japan’s earthquake response. The unisex tee-shirts are sold at HK$290 (US$37) each and sport the slogan “Calvin Klein loves Japan.” Habitat is mobilizing volunteers to help clear debris and clean up.

Nearly 200 volunteers have been sent by HFH Japan to help in Ofunato and Rikuzentakata cities worst-affected.

To date, Habitat has cleared nearly 100 homes or community buildings. Habitat will be supporting partners to employ local carpenters to start repairing homes and is planning to distribute “home starter kits” to families moving in to government-provided temporary shelter and those returning to damaged homes. These kits will include items such as bamboo mats, bedding, linen and pans and utensils.

Read more in the quarterly report on Habitat’s post-earthquake response in Japan.
*Story from HFHI Asia-Pacific Update email

New Jersey Needs YOU to Stuff the Bus!

Children need the right tools to begin the school year ready to learn. For struggling parents, providing the necessary school supplies can be a financial hardship. When their children receive school supplies through a local Stuff the Bus program, parents are better able to utilize their limited financial resources to pay for basic needs such as food, utilities, rent, etc. In addition, children have greater self-esteem when they have the school supplies they need, and the same school supplies as their peers.

New Jersey's agencies know how important it is for students to have all the supplies they need at the beginning of the school year to help ensure academic success. Through NJ 2-1-1 and local agencies throughout the State, YOU can help make a difference by donating supplies, gift cards or your time.

If you know a child in need of school supplies this August, please dial 2-1-1 or contact one of the local Stuff the Bus organizers to get additional information on distribution dates and times.

Dial 2-1-1 for additional contact information for organizations with Stuff the Bus events or check out their most up to date listing online.

*from an email received from 2-1-1

Five Simple Ways to Help Paterson Habitat for FREE

Here are five simple ways to help Paterson Habitat. Got more ideas? Share them with us in a comment down below!

1. Show some social love. Follow us on twitter (we follow back!) and like us on Facebook. You can send tweets to your followers about us (@patersonhabitat), retweet us, and share/like our Facebook posts. Show your support by adding us to your profile and bio info too.

2. Add yourself to our email list right here on: www.patersonhabitat.org

3. Get creative with a fundraiser. Create a Causes Page on Facebook or become part of one of our fundraisers like, "Hammering for Habitat" coming in January.

4. Add us to your personal email auto-signature. Link to our website or donation page with a short snippet on what we do. Something as simple as "I support Paterson Habitat for Humanity - www.patersonhabitat.org".

5. Volunteer, and add it to your resume and online profiles (like LinkedIn). Let the world know about Habitat for Humanity, and that helping is important to you!

World Habitat Day - Get Involved

Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, encourages Habitat supporters to organize a World Habitat Day event in their community.  World Habitat Day is October 3rd. 

The Jersey Road Trip - Cars For Homes

Last November, Morris HFH, HFH Newark, HFH of Bergen County and Paterson HFH were jointly awarded the 2011 CFH Partnership Project, a $100,000 matching grant to help the affiliates build energy-efficient affordable housing in their counties. But, the affiliates anticipate benefits from the partnership to last longer than the grant funds.

Barbara Dunn, Paterson HFH executive director, describes the project. She said, “Certainly the extra funds are welcome. But beyond that, the most lasting impact of receiving the CFH Partnership Project is the continuing collaboration with each other. We realize now that by working together on joint marketing, such as signage for the Jersey Road Trip on NJ Transit trains, we have the chance to make a mark in this highly competitive media region of northern New Jersey. I’d recommend that all affiliates look to “sister” affiliates for ways to share Cars for Homes™ marketing -- it just makes sense.”

For one week in May, Cars for Homes™ staff and volunteers from across the U.S. participated in the Jersey Road Trip, helping future Habitat partner homeowners and local volunteers frame, weatherize, landscape, paint and tile four construction projects. The week-long event generated increased awareness of the value of car donations to local affiliates and ended with a celebration at the Morris HFH ReStore. 

Click here to see photos and read more!

Story from Cars For Homes Summer Newsletter.