Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity announces grand opening of new ReStore
Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity’s new and improved ReStore will celebrate its grand opening Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1950 Vandalia St. in Collinsville.
The grand opening celebration will feature prizes, food, kid zone activities and promises a unique shopping experience.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds from the Habitat for Humanity ReStores help the organization build homes for low-income families.
Amber, a proud local Habitat home owner commented, “Our house has given me a foundation to build from. It alleviated so many of my struggles in search for providing a safe home for my children and myself. They helped set me up for success. And it didn’t end there. Their continued support towards my family has truly been one of the biggest blessings in my life that I will forever be grateful and humbled by.”
The community has come together to see this project through from concept to reality. More than 1,900 volunteer hours have been worked since July.
“The extra space at the new location is critical in our ability to generate funding to provide safe, quality homes for low-income families,” said Melanie Nagel, executive director of Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity. “Without the volunteers led by our volunteer project coordinators Ken Beeman, Greg Erspamer and Doren Rakers, none of this would have been possible”
“We are so incredibly grateful.” added Carrie Wolf, ReStore manager.
In addition to volunteers, many partners made the effort possible, among them: Jarvis Electric, Local 309 IBEW, Painters District Council 58, Crafton Plumbing, Kane Mechanical Inc., Southern Illinois Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program, Farnsworth Group, Oates Associates Inc., Accurate Fire Protection, C2C, Locks A to Z, Vallow Flooring, DNR Fence Inc, Eberhart Signs, Ameren Cares, Republic Waste and student volunteers from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the Youth Build Program at Lewis and Clark Community College.
Grant from Ameren Illinois helps in relocation
Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity ReStore received a $3,000 grant from Ameren Illinois to relieve expenses associated with moving to their new location in the Collinsville Orchard Shopping Center.
Habitat For Humanity ReStores are home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds from the HFH ReStores help the organization build homes for low-income families.
“The extra space at the new location is critical in our ability to generate funding to provide safe, quality homes for low-income families,” said Melanie Nagel, executive director of Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity. “We are so grateful to Ameren Illinois for helping to alleviate some of the costs associated with the relocation.”
The grant funds were awarded through the Ameren Cares program, which connects Ameren Illinois with the communities it serves through charitable giving and volunteering. In 2018, Ameren Illinois donated more than $3.2 million to non-profit organizations in its service territory.
“We are proud to support the relocation effort of Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity,” said Derek Cliff, division director at Ameren Illinois. “We wish them success as they continue their efforts to serve more people with a quality place to live.”
Lewis and Clark Habitat for Humanity ReStore is open Wednesday through Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.
For more information on Lewis & Clark Habitat for Humanity Restore, visit LCReStore.org or call (618) 223-1711.
