Sussex Habitat auction, golf outing, 5K run/walk raise money for affordable housing

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity supporters exchanged their hammers for bid cards, golf clubs and running shoes for the annual H4H Weekend fundraiser. 2012 marked the seventh year for the fundraiser, the most successful to date.

The weekend started May 31 at Bethany Blues in Lewes with live and silent auctions, followed by the Seventh Annual Walt Jones Memorial Golf Outing June 1, and the Lewes 5K Run/Walk June 2.

Local Delawarean Shaun Jones grew up on a golf course and came to Sussex Habitat Executive Director Kevin Gilmore seven years ago with his vision of planning a weekend full of fundraisers to directly benefit Habitat. Since the very beginning, Jones’ grandfather, Walt Jones, was extremely supportive of his grandson’s vision and offered to donate his golf course, Midway Par 3 in Lewes, for the event every year. Since Walt’s passing in 2010, his daughter Barbara and her husband, Mark Moore, have continued to donate the family course for the Walt Jones Memorial Golf Outing every year.

Proceeds from this year’s auction are almost double those from 2011’s event, thanks to the generous donation of live and silent auction items, the amount of publicity and the organization of the event planning committee.

Echelon Interiors donated a $5,000 room makeover to the live auction. Several golf and spa packages were available, as well as a Wall of Wine sponsored by Bin 66, built by volunteer Bob Gibson, and staffed by volunteers Dave Zorb and Mike Ohr.

Local singer-songwriter Doug James filled the room with music during the event at no cost to Habitat for Humanity. Smyth Jewelers donated 15 percent of proceeds from all gold, platinum or silver brought to the auction to Sussex Habitat. Smyth has agreed to extend the donation period at its Rehoboth, Dagsboro and Salisbury, Md. locations until June 30.

Ted Fischer of Lewes and Kay Herrman of Dagsboro co-lead H4H Weekend with Jones. Fischer and Herrman held multiple committee meetings in the months leading up to the event, and had an organized system of recording auction donations, sponsor information, including a $10,000 title sponsorship from Poore’s Propane Gas Service Inc., 143 golf team registrations, and task lists.

This is the second year Fischer has helped lead the event, and Herrman has been involved for more than three years. Fischer recently completed his terms on Sussex Habitat’s Board of Directors, where Herrman still serves. Sussex Habitat Community Engagement Director Tom Protack was also critical in coordination and success of the event, bringing in dozens of auction items and sponsors.

The event was heavily publicized thanks to the generous support of the Cape Gazette, Coastal Point, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth and the Ad Boat; Smyth Jewelers; Rehoboth, Georgetown and Lewes chambers of commerce; The Guide; Cat Country radio; WGMD; NPR; Emmert Auctions; and Parcel Plus. Habitat AmeriCorps member Kim Stockley from Corpus Christi, Texas, was responsible for designing all the ads, and media relations.

The Walt Jones Memorial Golf Outing attracted almost 200 golfers between the morning and afternoon tee times. All golfers were served complimentary lunch or dinner catered by Bethany Blues, and had the opportunity to participate in a variety of contests along the 18-hole par 3 course. John Ray led the Beat the Pro” Contest for the entire day, and there was a putting, pitching and In the Circle Contest. The first round of golfers endured a couple of light rain showers on the course, but the weather was sunny and ideal in time for the afternoon golfers.

At the event’s closing ceremony, team Lucky Strike lived up to its name and was pronounced as the winning golf team of the entire event. Congratulations to the lucky strikers: Time Bane, Kevin Bane, Mark Summers, Mike Sowers and Ray Valencia. Dave Matthews’ name was drawn as the winner of the 46-inch Smart 3D Sony TV. Gilmore also presented framed certificates to members of the event’s planning committee, Jones, Fischer, Herrman and the Moores.

Habitat partnered with local running group the Seashore Striders for the race fundraiser. The Seashore Striders contacted Stockley, who volunteers with the running club, to offer Habitat the opportunity to be the beneficiary of the Second Annual Lewes 5K Run/Walk. The event started and finished at Lewes Beach, and attracted around 75 runners. Overall, the race was a home run.

As of June 30, the nonprofit will have dedicated and sold 10 homes to Sussex County families in the 2011-12 fiscal year. Habitat for Humanity offers an affordable, no-interest mortgage to qualified families in the Partner Family Program. Applicants must be willing to partner with Habitat by completing 250 hours of sweat equity per adult on the build sites, have a need for housing, and be able pay a mortgage to Habitat for Humanity that will recycle through the program to pay for more houses.

Since the affiliate's founding in 1991, Habitat has sold 64 homes. For more information on volunteering or applying for the partner family program call 302-855-1153.