Publix Charities awards funding to Habitat Citrus 

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CRYSTAL RIVER — Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) was one of 125 Habitat for Humanity affiliates throughout the Southeast chosen as a recipient of grant funding to support nonprofit housing initiatives from Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC).

HFHCC will receive $45,000 for a partial house sponsorship in its 176-home development at Habitat at Citrus Springs. Habitat Citrus is in the second year of its endeavor in Citrus Springs. Through Dec. 8, 19 families have moved into the development.

PSMC has been a long-time, steadfast supporter of HFHCC, often providing grants for its education classes, a prerequisite for partner families to participate in while in the program.

“We are grateful for the continued support of Publix Super Markets Charities and Publix,” said George Rusaw, HFHCC president/CEO. “From grant funding to volunteerism, they’ve played an important role for our organization within the Citrus community. Their generosity enables us to continue our mission and provide solid foundations for families through homeownership.”

“Publix Super Markets Charities is proud to continue the legacy of George Jenkins by supporting Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other nonprofits focused on helping people achieve home ownership,” said PSMC Executive Director Kelly Williams-Puccio. “The funds received by HFHCC will help give families a place to call home, providing them with stability and strengthening the Citrus County community.”

HFHCC is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, neighborhoods and hope. We work to eliminate substandard housing for people of all backgrounds, races and religions by providing simple, decent, affordable housing to those who have a need, ability to pay and willingness to partner. For more information, visit www.habitatcc.org or call 352-563-2744.

Capitol City Bank awards grant to HFH of Citrus County

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Capitol City Bank Vice President Business Banker Bart Bennett, vice president, left, presents a $5,000 check from the Capital City Bank Group Foundation to Christine Erick, family services director, and George Rusaw, CEO/president, for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County. The funds will be used for Habitat’s homebuyer education and financial counseling classes.

Capitol City Bank Group Foundation recently awarded Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County with a $5,000 community grant to be used toward its homebuyer education and financial counseling classes, which pave the way for successful homeownership after they complete their journey through the HFHCC Partner Family program. There are also courses about mental health awareness, how to be a good neighbor, security and safety protocols.

Education classes are one of several ways Partner Families earn sweat equity hours toward their path to homeownership. Partner Families must also volunteer at either of the HFHCC ReStores in Crystal River and Inverness and the construction site at Habitat of Citrus Springs.

HFHCC offers a “hand up,” not a “hand out” to income-challenged families who are unable to qualify for conventional financing but are willing to work hard to improve their family’s lives.

Key initiatives include empowering partner families through education, resources and support to successfully achieve their personal, academic and professional goals; teaching the youth of future homeowner families the skills and attitudes needed to make better life choices and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty; increasing awareness and educating the community regarding issues related to the affordable housing crisis and what they can do to help.  

For information about HFHCC, call 352-563-2744 or visit www.habitatcc.org. 

Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County receives trio of grants

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Lecanto Walmart store manager Sean Gall, second from right, presents a $1,000 Walmart community grant check to Justin Leech, chief operating officer for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County. The funds will be used for Habitat’s homebuyer education and financial counseling classes. 

Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County received three grants to be used toward its homebuyer education and financial counseling classes, which pave the way for successful homeownership after they complete their journey through the HFHCC Partner Family program. There are also courses about mental health awareness, how to be a good neighbor, security and safety protocols.

Capital City Bank, Cadence Bank and Lecanto Walmart Facility No. 5772 awarded HFHCC with $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000 grants, respectively.

Education classes are one of several ways Partner Families earn sweat equity hours toward their path to homeownership. Partner Families must also volunteer at either of the HFHCC ReStores in Crystal River and Inverness and the construction site at Habitat of Citrus Springs. 

HFHCC offers a “hand up,” not a “hand out” to income-challenged families who are unable to qualify for conventional financing but are willing to work hard to improve their family’s lives. Key initiatives include empowering partner families through education, resources and support to successfully achieve their personal, academic and professional goals; teaching the youth of future homeowner families the skills and attitudes needed to make better life choices and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty; increasing awareness and educating the community regarding issues related to the affordable housing crisis and what they can do to help.  

For information about HFHCC, call 352-563-2744 or visit www.habitatcc.org.

State Farm awards $5,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County

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 Habitat for Humanity Family Partner Dennis McSeaton cuts soffit for install on the exterior of his future Habitat house.

There’s a lot that goes into building a home for a Partner Family for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County. 

We’re not just talking about the permitting process and the materials that go into constructing safe, affordable homes. There are also the sweat equity hours required of Partner Families, who must volunteer at either of the HFHCC ReStores in Crystal River and Inverness or at the construction site at Habitat of Citrus Springs. There they spend countless hours helping build homes for other Partner Family’s and themselves.

But that’s not all that’s required of Partner Family’s in the program. Each individual or family must take part in homebuyer education and financial counseling classes, which pave the way for successful homeownership after they complete their journey through the HFHCC Partner Family program. There are also courses about mental health awareness, how to be a good neighbor, security and safety protocols.

“They really go in-depth in the classes,” said 25-year-old Dennis McSeaton, a single parent of a 7-year-old daughter. “They really do a great job of preparing you about what goes into home ownership that you often might not think about it. “They prepare you for success, because they want you to be successful as a homeowner. They want you to a good neighbor.”

And like a good neighbor, State Farm is a key contributor in making those classes a reality through a $5,000 grant that helps assist with the Homebuyer Education and Financial Counseling Program. State Farm has been a long-time supporter and advocate for safe, affordable housing in communities provided by HFHCC.

“For the past 100 years, State Farm has made it our business to be a good neighbor by helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities across the United States,” said Jose Soto, State Farm Corporate Responsibility Analyst. “We are proud to continue supporting Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County homebuyer education and financial counseling.”

HFHCC offers a “hand up,” not a “hand out” to income-challenged families who are unable to qualify for conventional financing but are willing to work hard to improve their family’s lives. Key initiatives include empowering partner families through education, resources and support to successfully achieve their personal, academic and professional goals; teaching the youth of future homeowner families the skills and attitudes needed to make better life choices and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty; increasing awareness and educating the community regarding issues related to the affordable housing crisis and what they can do to help.  

“It’s been a challenging yet rewarding experience,” said McSeaton, a local electrician. “We’re almost to the finish line. I cannot thank Habitat enough and those who support the program and those who have encouraged me along the way.”

For information about HFHCC, call 352-563-2744 or visit www.habitatcc.org.

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CONTACT:

Jeff Bryan, Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County Inc. 352-563-2744 or [email protected]

Publix Charities contribute $12,000 for partial house sponsorship

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Justin Leech, center, chief operating officer for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County, accepts a check for $12,000 from Publix store associates Tabytha Kline, Aaron Zeron, Matthew Tanner, Ben Campbell, Richard Bradmuller, Jenni Young, Josh Williamson, Kevin Wilson, Joe Corwin and Bob Linke.

Publix Charities presented Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County Inc. with a $12,000 donation on Tuesday, June 7, which was approved by Publix Super Markets Charities Inc. for a partial Habitat house sponsorship. 

Support such as this helps Habitat continue its mission of helping local Citrus County families realize the dream of home ownership. Habitat has assisted more than 200 families and continue to work to eliminate substandard housing by providing simple, decent, affordable housing to those who have a need, ability to pay and a willingness to partner. 

For information about homeownership or Habitat in general, visit www.habitatcc.org or call 352-563-2744.

Cadence Bank awards $2,500 grant to Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County

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Dwayne Haugabrook, left, community development lender for Cadence Bank, presents a $2,500 check to George Rusaw, president/CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County. The funds will be used for Habitat’s homebuyer education and financial counseling classes. 

In an effort to assist with the many facets of building homes and home ownership, Cadence Bank recently awarded Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County with a $2,500 grant to be used toward its homebuyer education and financial counseling classes, which pave the way for successful homeownership after they complete their journey through the HFHCC Partner Family program. There are also courses about mental health awareness, how to be a good neighbor, security and safety protocols.

Education classes are one of several ways Partner Families earn sweat equity hours toward their path to homeownership. Partner Families must also volunteer at either of the HFHCC ReStores in Crystal River and Inverness and the construction site at Habitat of Citrus Springs. 

HFHCC offers a “hand up,” not a “hand out” to income-challenged families who are unable to qualify for conventional financing but are willing to work hard to improve their family’s lives. Key initiatives include empowering partner families through education, resources and support to successfully achieve their personal, academic and professional goals; teaching the youth of future homeowner families the skills and attitudes needed to make better life choices and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty; increasing awareness and educating the community regarding issues related to the affordable housing crisis and what they can do to help.  

For information about HFHCC, call 352-563-2744 or visit www.habitatcc.org.