Dear Habitat Supporters,

Welcome to Knoxville Habitat for Humanity.   While we celebrate the completion of 450 homes and the joys of homeownership our families experience, we are not just about building houses.  Our program is about touching and changing lives.  Whether you are a potential homeowner or a volunteer in the many opportunities we offer for getting involved, Getting Habitated will touch you in some special way.

This year we are concentrating on reaching out to our community in eve

When it comes to fundraising creativity, the residence halls at The University of Tennessee have earned the grade of A+.

UT Housing, which consists of staff, graduate students, hall directors, resident assistants and, of course, the residents themselves, stage creative competitions and events that raise a surprising amount of money to build homes as a Covenant Partner with Knoxville Habitat for Humanity.

Santa is making his list and checking it twice ... and he'll be at our Thrift Store this month to see if you've been naughty or nice.

We hope you will drop by to see Santa and have your picture made with him between noon and 3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 21 or Wednesday, December 22.

And perhaps while you are at it, you can take care of some last-minute holiday gifts by perusing the many treasures found in our store. We hope to see you then!

Knoxville history enthusiasts take note: Knoxville Habitat for Humanity recently helped to preserve an important element in the city’s black heritage by donating land once used as a station on the Underground Railroad for fugitive slaves on their way to Kentucky and Ohio.

Dear Friends:

All year long, we ask you for your support for our mission and ministry, and you have consistently stepped up to offer it.

Amy Oprea's life story is like one of the novels she loves to read.

Amy is a quiet and unassuming woman who works nearly unnoticed to the public, behind the scenes at our Thrift Store, where she logs 40+ hours a week sorting and racking all of the clothing and accessory donations that come into the store.

But for those people who know her or who spend a few minutes talking with her, you quickly find out that she is a very hard-working mother of 10 who has overcome a lot of adversity in her 48 years.

Thanks to the following individuals for their generous gifts in honor of or in memory of a loved one from November 1 to November 30, 2010. If you would like to make an honor or memory gift, please visit our secure donation page.

GIFTS IN MEMORY:

In Memory of Betty Barber:

by Elizabeth Rochelle

In Memory of Gordon Bradford:

by Seaton Bradford

In Memory of Nancy Nellis Crago:

400 houses in 25 years.

That’s a lot of houses. But more importantly, that’s a lot of lives changed because of the “hand up” that Knoxville Habitat for Humanity provides.

And many of those families whose lives have been touched by Knoxville Habitat for Humanity are now giving of their time and money to return the favor to help 400^th homeowner Christina Upton.

For Christina Upton, owning her own home is a dream come true, and one that she never thought would be possible.

Christina will be the homeowner for the 400^th house built by Knoxville Habitat for Humanity that will blitz Saturday, Nov. 6.

The Sweetwater native has lived in public housing in Western Heights with her five children since moving to Knoxville almost six years ago.  She was familiar with Habitat for Humanity but didn’t think the program was right for her.

Knoxville Habitat for Humanity would like to welcome three new board members and extend congratulations to another board member for her appointment to the Tennessee Board of Regents. New board members include: