Event Overview
Volunteering
Fundraising
EVENT OVERVIEW
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What is the Build-a-Thon? Much like sponsoring miles walked in a walk-a-thon, the HFH Build-a-Thon asks volunteers to engage friends and family in sponsoring their volunteer hours for Habitat. Why walk when you can build?
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What is Habitat for Humanity? Habitat is a nonprofit housing developer dedicated to eradicating substandard housing from our communities while making decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. We require qualified low-income buyers to work up to 500 hours helping to build their home. Homeowners buy the home at cost, on a 20- to 30-year no-interest, no-profit mortgage, at a monthly payment at or below 30 percent of their gross monthly income. For more details about our mission please visit www.habitatbuildathon.org and click on the About Habitat button.
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Why should I participate? This is a unique opportunity to help build the relationships that will change our community. In King County alone, only 18% of single-family homes are affordable to households earning less than 80% of area median income. Our work is creating affordable housing opportunities to change this unacceptable statistic.
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How do I sign up? Register today! Visit www.habitatbuildathon.org and click on "I want to participate!"
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Can I bring a friend? Absolutely. The Build-a-Thon's success depends on volunteers spreading the word about this great event. Friends, family, colleagues and congregations can participate as Build-a-Thon donors and volunteers. You can even lead a fundraising team! Direct your friends to www.habitatbuildathon.org to register for the event.
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Can I join as a group and how do I become a Crew Captain? Getting a team together is one of the best ways to raise awareness and enthusiasm for the Habitat Build-a-Thon. When you register, simply click on the "Start a Team" button. Check out our special Crew Captain Helpful Hints guide on the registration page of www.habitatbuildathon.org for more information.
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Can I participate as an individual without joining a team? Absolutely! You can fundraise and volunteer as an individual. We also encourage you to spread the word about the Build-a-Thon to your family, friends, colleagues and congregations and recruit additional Build-a-Thon participants.
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Does it cost money to participate? There is a *$25 registration fee for every participant: this includes a confirmed shift, your own webpage, lunch and a t-shirt! *Scholarships available. Contact your affiliate for more information. top
Can I participate without signing up for a webpage? Yes. Download the paper pledge form and directions by on the registration page of www.habitatbuildathon.org. If you would like more details about how to participate using a paper pledge form please contact your affiliate.
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What are the benefits of registering to participate in the Build-a-Thon?
- Participate in one shift (first come first serve) and receive lunch and an inspiring chat with volunteers and homeowners.
- setup and personalize your own fundraising webpage.
- receive a very special Habitat Build-a-Thon t-shirt.
- be invited to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Build-a-Thon.
- Please see the Volunteer Benefits on the "Event Details" page of www.habitatbuildathon.org for complete details.
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How can I promote the Build-a-Thon with my contacts? Post a flyer at work, church, local businesses or other places that you frequent. Invite friends, family and colleagues to support you through your website or, better yet, by registering as Build-a-Thon participants. Email updates to your contacts about your Build-a-Thon progress. Keep the excitement BUILDING! Go to the Registration page of www.habitatbuildathon.org for more information.
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Are there Opening and Closing Ceremonies? Yes! All Build-a-Thon participants are invited to join in celebrating the opening and closing parties for the event. Opening Ceremonies are on September 17th from 10:00 am - 11:30 am at Magnolia Village in Issaquah. Closing Ceremonies are on September 26 starting at 3 pm at Rainer Vista.
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What is the Build-a-Thon Schedule?
- Opening Ceremony
- Volunteer Shifts
- September 17 - September 26 (8:30 am - 4:00 pm)
- No morning shift on September 17 (except for event support volunteers)
- No afternoon shift on September 26 (except for event support volunteers)
- Closing Ceremony -
- September 26 - starting at 3 pm
- Rainer Vista - 4015 Martin Luther King Jr. Way South, Seattle, WA 98108
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VOLUNTEERING
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Volunteering 101? For a complete overview of volunteering with Habitat please go to www.habitatbuildathon.org and click on "event details." From this page you can download the Habitat Volunteering 101 guide.
When do I volunteer? The Build-a-Thon happens between September 17th and September 26. Volunteers choose a shift at an available time and site for their prefered affiliate. Volunteer shifts are first come, first serve and are available for scheduling when you officially register for the Build-a-Thon. If these dates don't fit with your schedule please contact your affiliate to schedule an alternative shift.
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Where do I volunteer? All Habitat sites in King County will be dedicated to the Build-a-Thon. These include West Seattle,
Rainer Vista,
Issaquah, Event Support, Seattle/South King County Office, and East King County Office.
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What do I wear when volunteering on the construction site?
- Volunteers are asked to wear appropriate work clothes. No shorts or tank tops allowed.
- Wear weather appropriate clothing and layers; we cannot guarantee that you will be working indoors or outdoors.
- Wear hard soled shoes or boots (no sandals or open toed shoes).
- Bringing work gloves is highly recommended.
Should I bring any tools? We can provide tools for all volunteers unless otherwise specified. You may bring your own tools if you wish; some people are happier with their own tools. A hammer, measuring tape and utility knife are some good basic tools to have.
Can my fundraising team volunteer together? If you want to schedule your volunteer shift with your fundraising team make sure to sign up early as volunteer shifts are first come first serve.
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What if I can't volunteer during the Build-a-Thon? Good news! You can still participate! When you register and sign up for a volunteer shift simply choose the "I'd like to volunteer at another time" option." Then contact your affiliate to schedule an alternative shift.
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How does a "shift" work? There are many different ways to volunteer for the Build-a-Thon. You can participate through construction, office, and event support. All volunteers will receive lunch between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm regardless of site. You will receive a friendly reminder email with all of your volunteer shift details prior to the big day!
Construction Shift
8:30 am - Arrive at assigned site and sign in.
8:45 - 9:00am - Welcome and Safety Briefing by Habitat staff
9:00am - 12:00pm - Build!
12:00 - 1:00pm - Lunch
12:00 - 1:00pm - Lunch and Sign in ( half shift available at Seattle/SKC affiliate only)
1:00 - 1:15pm - Safety Briefing
1:15 - 4:00pm - Build!
4:00 - 4:15pm Clean up and sign out
Office Shift
Arrange with the affiliate of your choice when you are able to come into the office and volunteer for a "shift" of your choosing. Office volunteering tasks consists of answering phones, data entry, filing, research, and organizing - helping keep our affiliates running smoothly
Event Support
Help make the Build-a-Thon run smoothly and maintain a festive atmosphere. There are opportunities to help with the Opening and Closing ceremonies, daily site hosts (registration/snacks/lunch), and Hospitality logistics (picking up and delivering lunches).
Opening Ceremony shift - morning shift (8:30 - 1:00 pm) on September 17 in Issaquah.
Closing Ceremony Shifts - morning and afternoon shifts on September 26 at Rainier Vista.
Hospitality Logistics - please contact your affiliate for more details.
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Can I sign up for multiple shifts? When you register you will only be able to choose one shift. If you would like to volunteer for multiple shifts please contact the affiliate of your choice to determine availability. Also, please note that we encourage participants to raise a minimum of $250 per volunteer shift.
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Can I switch shifts? Absolutely! At any time log in to your participant page at www.habitatbuildathon.org and update your shift choice. Remember that shifts are first come first serve.
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Do both affiliates have the same shifts? No. SKC will offer half day shifts throughout the Build-a-Thon. EKC will offer full day shifts. Please check each affiliate's schedules for available dates. top
What volunteer jobs are available during the Build-a-Thon? Every volunteer job at either affiliate is available during the Build-a-Thon. That means you can volunteer on the construction site, in the office or as event support.
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Is there a minimum age to participate? Although we welcome participants of all ages, volunteers must be 16 to work on the construction site and minors must be accompanied by an adult. We are excited about developing projects for younger groups as necessary. Please contact the Volunteer Manager at your affiliate to discuss youth volunteer opportunities.
Can I volunteer without fundraising? During the Build-a-Thon all volunteers on site will be expected to be active fundraising participants. If you would like to volunteer but do not feel comfortable fundraising, we understand. Please contact Martha Martin or Elise Cope to schedule a volunteer shift at another time.
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What if I don't want to work on the construction site? We welcome all Habitat supporters during the Build-a-Thon to participate as volunteers and fundraisers. That includes office help, event support and the Home Improvement Outlet. If you would like to host an alternative volunteer project during the Build-a-Thon please contact your affiliate for other opportunities. top
FUNDRAISING
How do I use my fundraising webpage? It's easy. Simply register at www.habitatbuildathon.org and we'll walk you through each of the no hassle steps. We will share all sorts of great tips about making the most of your fundraising efforts. Login to your site and click on "Event Details" for more information and to download your complete Build-a-Thon Fundraising 101 guide.
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How do I raise money? Once you register you will receive your own personal fundraising website where your friends, family and colleagues can donate directly to you in support of Habitat. Simply send an email to all of your contacts using one of the available templates or create your own. In the email make sure to include a link to your site, why you're participating in the Build-a-Thon and why it is so important to our community, and don't forget to ask people to support Habitat by making a donation through your page or through the mail. See the Build-a-Thon Fundraising 101 guide for complete details about how to raise money for Habitat!
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How much money do I have to raise? We suggest a minimum fundraising goal of $250 per volunteer per shift. We encourage you to set a more ambitious fundraising goal as every dollar raised will support decent affordable housing in our community. Please see our Volunteer Benefits on the "Event Details" page of www.habitatbuildathon.org for more information about the unique gifts you can earn as you support Habitat for Humanity.
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Where does the money I raise go? The money raised during the event will go toward building affordable housing throughout King County. As a participant you will be able to designate which affiliate you would like to support. All of the money you raise through your personal webpage will go directly to that affiliate for home construction. Ten percent of all money raised during the Build-a-Thon will be tithed to help build Habitat homes around the world.
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Why do I have to choose an affiliate? Our goal is to build as many houses as we can throughout King County with the money raised during the Build-a-Thon. However, because this event is benefiting both affiliates and for accounting purposes, we are asking that each participant designate which affiliate they are choosing to support with their fundraising efforts.
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What if someone wants to send a check instead of donating online? We will accept checks and online donations to the Build-a-Thon. If your supporters would like to contribute with a check, please ask them to make it out to Habitat for Humanity, write Build-a-Thon and your name in the memo line and send it to the affiliate that you support.
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Habitat Seattle/South King County
Attn: Build-a-Thon
PO Box 88337
Tukwila, WA 98138
Habitat East King County
Attn: Build-a-Thon
16315 NE 87th St., Suite B-5
Redmond, WA 98073
Can I fundraise with a team? Absolutely! When you register you'll have the option to join a team, start a new team, or participate as an individual. Be sure to check out our Crew Captain Helpful Hints on the registration page of www.habitatbuildathon.org.
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Can I fundraise without volunteering? Absolutely! If you would like to host a fundraising web page but can't find the time to volunteer right now, we definitely encourage your participation. Your role as an affordable housing advocate and fundraiser is crucial to Habitat's success. We need supporters of all kinds to achieve our mission.
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What if I don't meet my fundraising goal? Your fundraising webpage will remain online for some time after the Build-a-Thon. We encourage you to keep your fundraising going even after the event. This is a great way to continue to spread awareness about the Habitat mission and your connection to our work.
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Register now!
