(Seguin) — A big community event is literally building a better life for families in the Seguin area. The San Antonio and Guadalupe Valley chapter of Habitat for Humanity is hosting its first ever “Build for Better Bash” on Saturday at Texas Lutheran University.
Madeline Zwicke, the executive director of Seguin’s Guadalupe Valley affliate, says this is going to be massive day for Habitat for Humanity. She says it’s a fundraising event, but more importantly she says it’s a way for the community to come together to help provide affordable and decent housing for hardworking local families. Zwicke says everyone is invited to come out and be part of this family fun event.
“We’re going to have a bounce house there, a DJ, and obviously we’re doing a (radio) remote with KWED. We’re going to have a dunk tank there. So, we want companies to come out and maybe vote for their manager to get thrown into the dunk tank. Lots of fun there, and we’re going to have food. Everybody that purchases a ticket will also get a t-shirt, that says Build for Better across the front to be able to represent Habitat in Seguin and in our community,” said Zwicke.
Zwicke says the fun is just part of the overall event. She says Habitat is all about building homes and better futures for families. She says there, of course will be an important building component to Saturday’s Build for Better Bash.
“We’re going to be building a set of wall panels for our next home buyer here in Seguin. So, we’ll have eight stations laid out in the TLU (Seguin Hall) parking lot. We’re going to be swinging a hammer and nails at each station. We’re going to have upwards of 200 volunteers out there. It’s a hands-on experience — even for the little ones. Bring your kids out. We want youth of our community (to participate). I know youth are always looking for different volunteer opportunities and to get involved. I can’t think of a better way than to do it than with Habitat, and getting that hands-on experience,” said Zwicke.
Taylor Judkin, assistant vice-president for development and communications for the San Antonio and Guadalupe Valley Affliate, says no special skills are needed to participate on Saturday. She says that’s why they are extending an invitation to everyone in the community. Even if you’ve never swung a hammer before, you should come check out the Build for Better Bash.
“We’re going to have crews there managing every single station to be able to give you all the instruction, the tools, the safety, and everything that you need. So, no experience is necessary. This is a great opportunity to learn a new skill. Maybe you want to remodel your home, or build a wall yourself at home — I don’t know? But it’s also a great opportunity for the kids to be able to see the impact in our community and to work alongside our current homebuyers in our program and to see the new homeowner who’s going to receive these particular walls — and it’s just really cool. So, you do not need any skills. We’ll teach you everything you need,” said Judkin.
There are multiple opportunities for people to get involved. Getting signed up is easy, and you can do it for yourself, for your family, or for a larger organization or business. Judkin says sponsorship opportunities are also still available.
“Our number one thing (right now) is to register. We’re offering our tickets now. Tickets cost for adults is $25 and for youth, 16 and under , is $15. This ticket includes your t-shirt and also a meal. Thankfully, we have the Knights of Columbus, who have generously (volunteered) to make hot dogs and hamburgers on that day. What better summer food could you have? So, we also offer family packs of tickets. Again, this is a family fun event, so we want everyone to come out. No one is excluded. We do offer a group discount rates. You could purchase this by going to our website at habitatgv.org. You could also visit our website to learn more…(about) our sponsorship opportunities, or you give us a call at our (Seguin) location.
Our number is 830-401-0422. So, those are some of the ways to get involved.
You can get individuals, get your kids, get your family, or get churches (involved). You know, (churches can) bring their congregations out there. Also, police officers, firefighters, or anyone in the community (can get involved). We want to see (everyone) come together and build side by side with our homebuyers in our program,” said Judkin.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers have been promoting this event for weeks, and several folks have already signed up. But Zwicke says it is important to note, that there’s still time for you to get involved. She says if you want to bring a larger group, they will make sure that you get your times coordinated so that you can work together building those walls.
“We actually are going to have two shifts on the day of the bash. So, the first shift is going to be from 9 to 10:30 a.m., and then the second (shift) will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon. I would say that if you have a group that’s interested in coming out — 10 or 10 and up — that you just reach out by phone. Again, that number is 830-401-0422. The reason I say this is because we are able to offer group rates, which are not online. We have the family four pack online, but as far as group rates that are 10 or more people — we would need to talk to them individually over the phone,” said Zwicke.
The wall panels being built on Saturday will go into the next home built here in Seguin. Habitat for Humanity has increased the number of homes that it builds each year. Those homes are then sold to working families, via a low interest loan. Homeowners are required to work on the construction of their home. That sweat equity is an important part of Habitat’s mission of making sure that families understand the true value of homeownership.
The local affiliate has bigger plans for Seguin, including an effort to build more than a 100 homes in a Habitat planned subdivision near Highway 46 and Jefferson Avenue. But it will take lots of money to make that happen. That’s one of the reasons why fundraisers, like Build for Better Bash are so important to the community’s future.
Build for Better Bash runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Seguin Hall parking lot at Texas Lutheran University. Don’t forget KWED will be broacasting live from the event on Saturday morning. Make sure you stop by and say hi to our entire KWED and Seguin Daily News crew. Stay for the hot dogs and fun, and also make sure you are registered to help with the building that day.
Again, you can get registered now online at habitatgv.org, or you can call 830-401-0422. The direct link to the registration and donation form can also be found at https://givedirect.org/habitatsa/build-better-tickets/.