Habitat's Life Lessons From High School Musical

In the words of High School Musical 2, 

"What time is it? 

Summertime. 

It's our vacation. 

Schools out, Scream and Shout!"  

The High School Musical franchise has taught us so many valuable life lessons through their lyrics, such as: we're all in this together, it's now or never, there's no second chance, and this moment is all we really have. High School Musical, you can "bet on it," your lyrics struck a cord with us. As you scream and shout about your vacation, decide that this summer will be, "the start of something new."  Make the most of your summer with Habitat. Even if you are jet-setting across the world, donate to Habitat for Humanity of Saline County online and earn frequent flyer miles!

Sharpay hit the nail on the head with her simple request of something fabulous and inspiring, and we can't find anything more inspiring than providing everyone with a decent affordable place to live. 

Our "head is in the game," as we kick summer off with the Arkansas REALTORS Build, June 4-8. Realtors throughout the state of Arkansas are flocking to Saline County for their "start of something new," their first annual Habitat for Humanity build through their Hearts and Homes foundation. 

"The Boys are back and here to save the world." Celebrate Superhero dad and participate in the "Build with Dad Day" in Partnership Village on June 8 (16 and up). If dad doesn't want the High School Musical trilogy DVD set, we have him covered for Father's Day gifts with his very own personalized hammer or donate a personalized hammer to the construction site. Help dad clean out the garage and donate all of his gently used tools to Habitat's Father's Day Tool Drive. 

Singing isn't Habitat's only artistic talent. Throughout the summer Habitat will be preparing for our Third Annual "Home is Where the HeArt is" art auction, and will be hosting painting with a purpose events. Painting with a Purpose for ages 5-12 will be June 12 at First United Methodist Church in Benton, AR. Painting with a Purpose for ages 18 and up will be July 25 at Dianne Robert's Studio in Benton, AR

Make the most of your summer with Habitat because after all, "we're all in this together." 

Women Build Playlist Has Been Built!

We have made the playlist of all playlist to celebrate the women across Saline County who are trading in their red high heels for work boots this Saturday, as they take part in Habitat for Humanity's National Women Build Work Day. 

10. Brick House by The Commodores - We might not be letting it all hang out, but we're mighty mighty on the construction site! 

9. Takin' Care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive - Habitat is all about taking care of business EVERY DAY. Every day, we are ending poverty housing in Saline County and world wide because everyone deserves a decent place to live! 

8. Happy Little Working Song by Amy Adams- Enchanted was one of our favorite movies, and we learned a valuable construction site rule from our favorite Princess: You can do a lot when you got such a happy little working tune to hum.

7.Independent Women by Destiny's Child - The women empowering anthem struck a cord with all the independent Women Build women. Who else could say: The house you live in, we built it!

6. This Girl is on Fire by Alicia Keys - We are on fire, and we've got our feet on the ground, but instead of burning it down, we're building it up.

5. Just a Girl by No Doubt - 'Cause we're just a girl, all pretty and petite, and it's no big surprise we're rocking work boots on our feet.

4. Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper- The phone might ring in the middle of the night, but don't you worry by the morning light, we'll be having fun on the construction site! We can't think of a better way to empower women and have fun!
3. Man! I Feel like a Woman by Shania Twain - The best thing about being a woman is the prerogative to have a little fun and ... Oh Oh Oh we might not go totally crazy on the construction site, but we know how to have fun!

2. Good Time by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen - Woah-oh-oh-oh Woah-oh-oh-oh We don't even have to try it's always a good time!

1. This One's for the Girls  by Martina McBride - We're all the same inside, from one to 99. This one's for the girls, who've ever had a broken heart, who've wished upon a shooting star, you're beautiful the way you are, this one's for the girls, who love without holdin' back, who dream with everything they have, all around the world, this one's for the girls. Nothing is more beautiful than watching women empower other women. Join us for Women Build 2013!

Our Story: The American Dream

After 35 years of marriage Earl and Bernadine Walker are finally getting the opportunity to live the American Dream. Bernadine says that she would have never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would ever have the means or the ability to own her own home. Earl and Bernadine hail from Chicago, where the cost of living is astronomical, and owning a home was only possible for the upper-middle class. They have lived in Saline County for the past seven years, and learned about the Habitat Homeownership program through an add in the Saline County Courier.

Their journey through the Habitat program has been long and tiring; yet, Bernadine and Earl have captured the spirit of what Habitat for Humanity is all about. The Walkers are not only living their American Dream, they are helping their neighbors live the American Dream as well. Two of their current neighbors will continue to be their neighbors in Partnership Village, the Habitat neighborhood, because of Bernadine's zeal to spread the word about the Habitat program. Since entering the program, Bernadine has held informational application meetings at her current apartment complex. It has been an inspiration to see Bernadine so impassioned about the Habitat Homeownership program.

Their American Dream will be complete in early to mid summer, and they will finally end their journey at home on Glory Cove.