December 2014 Hammer Time

1. Hammer Time
H A B B I T A T F O R H U M A N I T Y O F U T A H C O U N T Y
December 2014
HABITAT HOMEOWNER FIRST TO PAY
OFF MORTGAGE
Long time Habitat homeowner, Eileen Reilly,
recently paid off her mortgage for her home,
located at 2718 West 1060 North, in Provo.
Reilly has lived in her Habitat home for 20
years and is the first Utah Valley Habitat
homeowner to pay off her mortgage at the end
of the mortgage term. Reilly built and pur-chased
her home with the local Habitat affili-ate
in 1994. Reilly’s home was the third Habitat home built in Utah County. She has raised her family in
the home and has done a great job beautifying and maintaining her home and property throughout the last
20 years.
“We are very excited for Eileen and her family. She has been an excellent homeowner and is a true ex-emplar
of Habitat’s mission of a “hand up” through safe and affordable homeownership,” said Kena Jo
Mathews, Executive Director. “Because of her dedication to her home and mortgage, many others in the
community have been able to receive the opportunity for homeownership.”
The Habitat Board of Directors will be honoring Reilly with a small ceremony at her home in December
and will sign over the deed to her at that time.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CELEBRATES 23 YEARS OF LOCAL SUCCESS
Habitat for Humanity of Utah County will be celebrating its 23rd birthday on Wednesday, December 3,
2014.
Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is one of more than 2,300 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity Interna-tional
and was started by a group of local community members concerned about substandard housing and
homelessness in Utah County in 1991. The local Habitat affiliate builds and renovates simple decent
homes with families in need in Utah County. The affiliate also repairs and beautifies existing homeowner
occupied homes and properties and helps to revitalize blighted neighborhoods in its service area. Habitat
serves individuals or families living or working in Utah County who make up to 80 percent of the Area Me-dian
Income and are living in substandard housing situations.
To date, the Habitat for Humanity affiliate has completed 57 homes (eight of which have been renovated)
in its service area providing 94 adults and 175 children with safe and affordable housing. In the last ten
years, the affiliate has gone from building one home per year to building or renovating five to six homes on
a yearly basis.
The organization has also completed a number of critical home repair and home preservation projects
throughout Utah County in the last two years, recently completed the South Franklin Community Center at
the Boulders Apartment complex, and just finished renovating and restoring the historic George Taylor, Jr.
home in downtown Provo. The local Habitat affiliate was also selected to administer Provo City’s
Neighborhood Revitalization Program last year.
In addition to its affordable housing and critical home repair and home preservation programs, the local
affiliate also provides a mobile neighborhood tool library in Provo City and a basic home maintenance
course for Habitat families and other interested community members.
The organization also runs two ReStore Home Improvement Outlets where new and used building materi-als,
appliances, and furniture are sold with profits going to the affiliate’s operating and program costs. The
ReStores have not only raised thousands of dollars for the affiliate, but are now paying for a most of the
operation costs for the affiliate and stores and have also kept over two million pounds of waste out of the
local landfill. Because of the success of the ReStores, Habitat is now looking at opening a third ReStore in
North Utah County.
News

2. The Utah County affiliate also promotes aluminum, scrap metal, and vehicle recycling through its Habitat Recycle
program, works to bring community awareness to the effects of radon gas, and is partnering with the Utah Valley
Circles Initiative to work to eradicate poverty in Utah County.
“We truly appreciate all those that have helped the local Habitat affiliate over the last 23 years, said Kena Jo
Mathews, Executive Director. “Because of our great community donors, supporters, and volunteers we have been
able to build capacity and serve more families in need in our community through our beneficial affordable housing
mission.”
HABITAT KICKS OFF #GIVINGTUESDAY AT BYU's CARE WEEK
Habitat for Humanity of Utah County kicked off our #GivingTuesday efforts last Monday at BYU's Care Week and
what a fun week it was! People were encouraged to take a picture in a giant gingerbread house, follow Habitat on
social media, and donate to help out with the effort. Those that helped
were entered into a raffle for a holiday gift package.
Almost 100 people came looking for volunteer opportunities and over-all,
the booth attracted a lot of attention and was successful in drawing
in donations to help build houses for people in our community!
Habitat will be doing another raffle on Giving Tuesday, which lands on
December 2, 2014, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Anyone interested
in getting entries into the raffle can follow Habitat for Humanity Utah
County on Facebook and Twitter and also donate on Habitat's website
at www.habitatuc.org/donate-now.htm.
For those unfamiliar with it,
#GivingTuesday is a first of its kind ef-fort
that will harness the power of a
blend of partners—charities, families, businesses and individuals—to transform
how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Habitat for
Humanity Utah County is proud to be a part of an effort that focuses on giving to
others this holiday season.
We'd like to thank Harmon's for providing some of the goodies for our raffle as well
as those that came to the booth and donated!
COME GET YOUR GIFTS WRAPPED! HABITAT SPONSORING “IT’S A WRAP”
AT PROVO TOWNE CENTRE!
Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is sponsoring the annual “It’s A Wrap” gift
wrapping booth at the Provo Towne Centre during the holiday season. This year’s
gift wrap booth will be
located near the
Santa set in the JC Penney Court on the mall level
and will be open starting December 20, 2014. Habi-tat
will also be selling one pound boxes of See’s
chocolates! Proceeds will benefit two families that
the local Habitat affiliate is currently building with in
Orem. Stop by, get your gifts wrapped, and buy
your last minute gifts! Volunteers and shift leaders
are also needed. Look online at
www.habitatuc.org/volunteer.htm for more informa-tion.
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Benefits of
Homeownership
“Stable, affordable
homeownership may
positively impact
mental health by increasing the
control that homeowners have over
their physical environment and
minimizing the disruptions associ-ated
with frequent, unwanted
moves.”
HOUSEHOLD HINT (www.kidspot.com.au)
Handy hint 1 - bananarama
Pull bananas apart before displaying them in your
fruit bowl. If you leave them connected at the stem,
they'll ripen faster and go brown quicker.

3. What’s Up
• Congratulations to Habitat homeowner, Rochelle Wise. She recently received a grant from Vocational Reha-bilitation
to build a small art studio in her backyard and purchase a engraver, allowing her to work as a fulltime
artist from home.
• Sponsor a birdhouse and help us build a new home with a family in need in Spanish Fork! The Spanish
Fork ReStore has a number of birdhouses available for sponsorship for $100.00. Each birdhouse represents
one of the 57 homes the local Habitat affiliate has built or renovated in Utah County in the last 23 years and
will be hung throughout the ReStore for one year. The birdhouses will include a plaque with the sponsor’s
name and will be given to the sponsor after the year is over. Proceeds will benefit a future Habitat home to be
built with the Simpson family in Spanish Fork. Contact Mikeal at the Spanish Fork ReStore for more details at
(801) 344-8527.
• The Habitat ReStores in Orem and Spanish Fork have the perfect gifts for those “do it yourselfers” on your
Christmas list! Stop by today and see all the great ideals and deals! We even have some new Christmas in-ventory.
Locations and hours at www.habitatuc.org/restore.htm.
• Recycle all those aluminum cans from your holiday parties and help provide safe and affordable home-ownership
for families in need. Recycle with Habitat today! Details and drop off locations at
www.habitatuc.org/recycle.htm.
• To make energy more affordable for families who need it most, One World Solar installs solar panels for low
income families including Habitat for Humanity-built homes in our service areas. We bring together community
partners, volunteers and job trainees to implement solar power and energy efficiency for families, providing
energy cost savings, valuable hands-on experience, and a source of clean local energy that benefits us all. To
request an application for the Solar House - Affordable Renewable Energy program, which provides families a
long-term solution to reverse high energy bills, email One World Solar at info@1WorldSolar.org.
• Did you know that lung cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer in Utah? – Protect yourself by
testing your home for radon today. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, causing an estimated
22,000 deaths of year in the United States. Protect your home and family! Test today! Habitat offers simply
radon test kits and radon awareness brochures at the Orem ReStore or online for just $6.00! Learn more
www.habitatuc.org.
• Do your Holiday Dinner shopping and help provide safe and affordable housing for families in need in our
community! Sign up for Smith’s Community Rewards Program at www.smithscommunityrewards.com, link
your account/card with Habitat for Humanity of Utah County (#48773) and then go shopping at your local
Smith’s Grocery Store. Smith’s will then provide a financial contribution to the local Habitat affiliate.
• Check out Habitat’s FUNSAVER Site! Habitat for Humanity has partnered with VP Deals to get all the latest
bargains on local products/venues. Check out this week’s FUNSAVER specials at www.habitatucdeals.info. A
portion of your “fun” purchases will help Habitat further its housing mission in the community.
PHOTO GALLERY
WE ARE FINALLY BUILDING! - After many
delays and challenges, Habitat for Humanity of
Utah County has finally started building two of
the three homes at our Washburn Reams pro-ject
in Orem.
Very “Charming”! - The new Charming
Charlie store at University Mall held a
fundraiser for the Aleman Habitat home
currently being built in Orem. The store
donated 10 percent of sale proceeds
from the event and provided Habitat
booth space to talk about our mission
with customers.
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4. RESTORED George Taylor, Jr. Restoration RESTORED! - Habitat for Humanity of Utah County
commemorated its George Taylor, Jr. Restoration and
Renovation project completion with a ribbon cutting
ceremony and open house last week with hundreds of
community members attending, including Provo Mayor John Curtis and descendants of George Taylor, Jr. The
public got a chance to take rare look inside the home built in the 1880s, which was staged for the occasion.
“The George Taylor, Jr. Renovation and Restoration project brought Habitat’s affordable housing and revitaliza-tion
missions together,” said Kena Jo Mathews, Executive Director of the local Habitat affiliate, “The restoration
project will not only provide safe and affordable housing for an area family in need but has renewed and strength-ened
the downtown Provo neighborhood by turning an long time eyesore into a community showplace. Habitat is
very grateful for the opportunity to be involved with such an amazing and important project.”
Habitat partner family, Alex and Mary Kae Blair and their five children, will be purchasing and moving into the
home in a few weeks, just in time for Christmas. The local Habitat affiliate would like to thank those that helped us
make the beautiful transformation a reality. You made the impossible possible!
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5. Volunteer Opportunities
CREW LEADERS AND SITE HOSTS
NEEDED TO HELP GUIDE CONSTRUCTION
Volunteers with construction experience or those
wanting to improve their construction skills are be-ing
sought to participate in the affiliate's Crew
Leader and Site Host Programs. Orientations are
monthly. The next orientation will be on at the
Habitat office in Orem on December 6th. For infor-mation,
contact LeAnn at the number or email be-low.
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO SERVE
ON COMMITTEES
VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES
Volunteers are needed to serve on all of Habitat’s local
committees. Monthly meetings, limited time commitment,
no experience necessary, varying interests and skills. For
more information, contact LeAnn Hillam at (801) 368-2250
or leann@habitatuc.org.
For more information, look online at www.habitatuc.org
or contact LeAnn at (801) 368-2250 or
leann@habitatuc.org. You can also sign up online at
www.habitatuc.org/volunteer.htm.
Home Maintenance Classes
Check out Habitat & Community Action’s Free Home Maintenance Course. The next class will be Wednesday,
January 28, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. There will be no class in December due to the holidays. The topics are: Window
and Door Insulation and Home Decorating. Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held at the Habitat office at
340 South Orem Blvd., Orem.
At HOME DEPOT – Registration is necessary. Call store or register online. Look online for the December clinic
schedule at www.homedepot.com.
At LOWE'S - you must sign up for How-To Clinics by calling 229-1485 or stopping by their store at 140 West Uni-versity
Parkway in Orem. Look online for December clinic schedule at www.lowes.com.
At CENTRAL UTAH GARDENS – Registration is necessary. Look online for upcoming classes at
www.centralutahgardens.org/classes_events_concerts.aspx
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6. 6
RESOURCES
Community Action Services offers Home Buyer Education Classes on a monthly basis. Classes in De-cember
will be held December 10th and 11th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. To register, please call (801) 691-5200
or go online to www.communityactionuc.org.
Community Action Services and Food Bank will be sponsoring a Financial Literary Class on November
18, December 2, 9, and 16 from 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Provo Seventh Day Adventist Church. Call
(801) 691-5235 to register. For more information, look online at www.communityactionuc.org.
Dayspring at Heber Valley provides short-stay medical stabilization for motivated individuals trying to
end their dependence on opioids or alcohol. For more information, contact 435-657-4352.
Sub for Santa is a temporary Christmas assistance program that matches sponsors with families looking
for help For more information on how, when and where to apply, look online at
www.unitedwayuc.org/sub-santa/applicants-sub-santa or call 801-356-6200.
HOLIDAY SAVINGS TIP (www.practicalmoneyskills.com)
9 Holiday Savings Tips
During the holiday gift buying frenzy, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed about not having enough money
to spend on your loved ones. You do not have to go into debt to show how much you care. With some careful
planning and creative gift giving, you can enjoy some holiday cheer without the financial fear.
Check out these holiday savings tips from Practical Money Skills:
Develop a budget and stick to it: Do not spend more than 1.5 percent of your household annual income on holi-day
gifts and entertainment. Check out a free online Holiday Budget calculator.
Create a "micro budget": Write a list of everyone on your gift list and decide how much you would like to spend
on each person. Track how much you spend using this Gift Log calculator. This budget should also include costs
for additional items such as cards, postage, gift-wrapping, meals, parties, travel, etc.
Shop early: Do not wait until the very last minute to buy presents or you may end up overspending or buying
items you did not plan to. Having extra time to compare prices is especially helpful when buying big-ticket items
such as electronics or even a new bicycle.
Get creative: Handmade gifts or even personalized coupons can be a special treat in this age of store-bought
presents. Think about what the person may want or need then incorporate your own talents. For example: bake
some cookies; create a photo album or decorate a picture frame; knit a blanket or scarf; compile your favorite
tunes into a music CD; or give a coupon for a home-cooked meal, babysitting time, house cleaning, or even a
free one-hour lesson in an area where you are an expert (e.g., computers, dance, cooking, art) – the list is end-less.
Draw names & create a spending cap: These ideas work particularly well for large families and groups of
friends. This way, everyone gets a gift but each person only has to buy one gift. Depending on the flexibility and
humor of the group, you could: limit the gift to $10–$20 per person; agree on a gift theme (e.g., tropical getaway,
house decor, etc.); or even re-gift!
Shop online: It's fast, easy, and you can easily comparison shop. By ordering from the comforts of your own
home, you also resist extra temptations like eating out or making impulse purchases.
Pay off your credit cards: If you plan to shop with credit, make sure you have enough money in your bank ac-count
to pay off the amount when the bill arrives. Also, consider using cards that offer extra incentives such as
frequent flyer miles.
Donate more than cash: Do not spend more than 1.5 percent of your household annual income on holiday gifts
and entertainment. Check out a free online Holiday Budget calculator.
Enjoy free and inexpensive holiday activities: There are ample ways to get into the holiday spirit
without breaking your budget. Check out your local community calendar for free holiday activities and
performances such as a tree lighting or parade; snuggle up with the family and watch a holiday classic
such as, "It's a Wonderful Life"; go caroling; have the kids put on a holiday play and invite the neighbors
for a potluck dinner; or celebrate with Game Night and pull out your best board games.

7. HOLIDAY HOME MAINTENANCE TIP! (www.clean-organized-family-home.com)
Holiday Speed Cleaning TIPS
'Tis the season where housekeeping is even more of a challenge. The solution? Holiday speed cleaning. These
9 speed cleaning tips will leave you with a clean house that is holiday ready - stat.
1. Grab your Cleaning Supplies.
Stash cleaning supplies in a portable caddy that you can quickly move from room to room. (Santa hat not re-quired.)
Being prepared for last-minute housekeeping sprints makes holiday spot clean ups a snap when guests are at
the door and your 4-year-old has just found the finger paints.
2. Make it a family affair.
Since you probably didn't mess up the house yourself, why not get the little culprits to help?
When it is time to freshen in a flash, give your kids a chore that seems more like child’s play.
Have them don a pair of old, clean socks on their hands and send them about dusting shelves; or give them a
spray bottle of floor cleaner and a pair of micro fiber slippers to polish the floor the floor to a sparkling shine.
3. Quick Toilet Cleaning Tips.
No time for a full, proper toilet cleaning? Pop two denture tablets into the toilet bowl and watch them work their
magic.
Let sit several minutes, and then flush clean.
4. Sweep Away Kid Clutter.
In my home, LEGOS seem to multiply like rabbits.
What’s a host to do when the zillion pieces of her son's latest soon-to-be masterpiece are all over the living room
floor?
Grab your broom and dustpan. Not to sweep up the pieces and throw them away (although there are days when
I consider this, I confess) but to quickly scoop them up off the floor and into their rightful containers.
This technique works great for any number of small toy pieces that need to be lifted off the floor – fast.
5. Cover Cobwebs.
Pull a clean pillowcase over the head of a broom and nab those lurking webs from the far corners of your ceil-ings
in just a twist or two of the wrist. No ladder required.
6. How to Roll on Crumb Patrol.
A lint roller is your best friend when you need couch cleaning at warp speed.
Forget the cumbersome vacuum here - simply grab the lint roller over your upholstered furniture to collect any
small bits of dirt, crumbs or pet hair.
7. Furniture Spot Patrol.
Small spots or splotches on upholstery, throw pillow, a window covering? Blot it to oblivion by dabbing the of-fending
blight with a baby wipe.
8. Erase Floor Scuff Marks.
Got kids? Then you’ve likely got scuff marks on the floor.
Whether from hockey sticks, roller blades or your own (gasp!) heels, use a soft white eraser for floor cleaning to
remove the marks fast.
9. Extend yourself to save time.
Keep an extension cord attached to your vacuum cleaner. That makes cleaning a room quicker, as you can go
room to room without unplugging the vacuum each time.
Give yourself a gift this season with these 9 easy speed-cleaning tips. Then rest comfortably knowing the only
thing that will be tarnished with ashes and soot will be Santa’s suit.
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8. (www.practicalmoneyskills.com)
HOLIDAY SAFETY TIP
The following Holiday Safety Tips were compiled, in cooperation with the LAPD Crime Prevention Section, to con-tribute
to the safety and security of people during the holiday season. The holiday season is always a special time
of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We
can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware.
• Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
• When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick
up your newspapers and mail.
• Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
• Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
• Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
• When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear
inside your home.
• Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets can-not
pull it over on themselves.
• If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged
wiring can cause a fire.
• Place your Christmas tree in water or wet sand to keep it green.
• Never place wrapping paper in your fireplace.
(www.lapdonline.org)
HEALTHY HOLIDAY TIP
Ten Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating
• Be realistic. Don’t try to lose pounds during the holidays, instead try to maintain your current weight.
• Plan time for exercise. Exercise helps relieve holiday stress and prevent weight gain. A moderate and daily in-crease
in exercise can help partially offset increased holiday eating. Try 10- or 15-minute brisk walks twice a
day.
• Don’t skip meals. Before leaving for a party, eat a light snack like raw vegetables or a piece of fruit to curb your
appetite. You will be less tempted to over-indulge.
• Survey party buffets before filling your plate. Choose your favorite foods and skip your least favorite. Include
vegetables and fruits to keep your plate balanced.
• Eat until you are satisfied, not stuffed. Savor your favorite holiday treats while eating small portions. Sit down,
get comfortable, and enjoy.
• Be careful with beverages. Alcohol can lessen inhibitions and induce overeating; non-alcoholic beverages can
be full of calories and sugar.
• If you overeat at one meal go light on the next. It takes 500 calories per day (or 3,500 calories per week) above
your normal/maintenance consumption to gain one pound. It is impossible to gain weight from one piece of pie!
• Take the focus off food. Turn candy and cookie making time into non-edible projects like making wreaths,
dough art decorations or a gingerbread house. Plan group activities with family and friends that aren’t all about
food. Try serving a holiday meal to the community, playing games or going on a walking tour of decorated
homes.
• Bring your own healthy dish to a holiday gathering.
• Practice Healthy Holiday Cooking. Preparing favorite dishes lower in fat and calories will help promote healthy
holiday eating.
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9. 9
Adobe
Allen Roberts
Ancestry.com
Bashful Butler Catering
Benjamin Tateoka
Bike & Build
Brad Simons
Brick Oven
BYU American Society of Civil Engineers
BYU Bradley PR
BYU Family Life Department
BYU Habitat for Humanity Chapter
BYU Society of Women Engineers
BYU Tau Beta Pi
Carl and Melanie Harris
Central Bank
CenturyLink
Charming Charlie
Corporate Alliance
Cory and Andrea Jensen
Craig Karren
CRSA
Dal Tile
Dale Wilkerson
Diamond Rental
Digicert
DOBA
Doug Carlson
Dr. Gregg Pitts and staff
Dynamic Structures
Erika Taylor
Five Star Franchising
Focus Engineering & Surveying
Foremost Carpets and Interiors
Galaxie Lighting
George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation
Habitat Board, Committee and Staff Members
Heidi Garner
Holly Williams
HUD
IM Flash Technologies
Jenny Starley
Josh Yost
JP Cooling
K’Lei Legerski
K9 Construction
Ken and Dana Mathews
Kevin Tippetts
Lowe’s
Marvellous Catering
Mayor John Curtis
McCoy's Flooring and Cabinets
National Trust for Historic
National Women Build Week
National Wood Products
Navy Recruitment Center
Nestle
NetScout
Nicolas Alamo
Nicole Siri
NorthStar Alarm
Novell
Nudge
NuSkin
Paul Richards
Payroll Experts
Powerhouse Electric
Provo City
Provo Housing Authority
Provo Redevelopment Agency
Provo’s Landmark Commission
Response Marketing Group
Salisbury Plumbing
Sound Vision Signs
Startup’s Candy
Steve and Terry Ann Olsen
Steve Cornell
TD Ameritrade
The Blair Family
The Daily Herald
The Heritage Foundation
The Taylor Family
The Utah Valley Symphony
The Walton Group
Told Plumbing
United Way of Utah County
US Synthetic
Utah Cancer Action Network
Utah Heritage Foundation
Utah State Historical Society
UVU Habitat for Humanity Chapter
Venture Plumbing
Wells Fargo
Whirlpool
Women's Council of Realtors-Utah County
Wolverine PR
WPA Architecture
Xactware
Zach Vegge
Zions Bank
9
Thank You
Thanks to everyone that helped us to give a “hand up” to families in
need in our community in 2014 through safe and affordable housing!

10. Sun
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2-Building
Committee
Giving
Tuesday
3-Happy 23rd
Birthday
Habitat
4 5 6-Crew
Leader/Site
Host Training
7 8-NR Com-mittee
9 10 11 12-
Executive and
Finance Com-mittee
13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
Of Utah County
10
25
The Habitat office will be closed December 24
through January 2.
The Habitat ReStores will be closed December 24th
through December 26th and January 1st.
Building Committee December 2, 2014 2:00 p.m. Central Bank Riverside Branch
Giving Tuesday December 2, 2014
Happy 23rd Birthday Habitat December 3, 2014
Crew Leader/Site Host Training December 6, 2014 9:00 a.m.
NR Committee December 8, 2014 3:00 p.m.
Executive and Finance Committee December 12, 2014 7:30 a.m. Orem Habitat office
Merry Christmas December 25, 2014
Happy New Year January 1, 2014
The Habitat office will be closed December 24 through January 2.
The Habitat ReStores will be closed December 24th through December 26th and January 1st.