Habitat for Humanity prepares Festival of Trees

Countdown is on for HFH's biggest fund-raiser of the year.

MOSES LAKE — Solidarity will find its habitat on Nov. 27 at the Moses Lake Convention Center.

The 10th annual Festival of Trees, the premier fund-raising event for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake will take place on that date, starting at 5:30 p.m.

A five-hour event, the Festival of Trees, helps collect funds for HFHGML, a Christian organization that provides affordable housing to low-income families. So far, five houses have been built.

Every year, area businesses offer everything from sunglasses to pet grooming to bottles of wine to be auctioned off alongside a dozen fully decorated Christmas trees, which also go to the highest bidder.

Last year, both the silent and live auctions raised nearly $33,000.

"We are right in the middle of ticket sales," said HFHGML president Curtis Robillard."We are right on pace with last year."

Tickets are $35 for a single, $65 per couple and $250 for a table of eight people.

Eight years after becoming an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the Moses Lake branch is reaching a height of activity and success.

On Friday, the Housing Authority of Grant County officially donated a lot located across its Craig Street offices to HFHGML. That is where the sixth and seventh houses will be built.

"It's a huge opportunity for Habitat for Humanity and for the next two families," Robillard said.

John Poling, executive director of the Housing Authority of Grant County said he was "really excited" to collaborate with Habitat for Humanity.

The donation is a first for Habitat for Humanity as the law forbids government agencies from donating property.

However, this deed of ownership has a revisionary clause, which states that if HFHGML does not use this property to benefit low-income families within five years, it goes back to the housing authority.

The lot, measuring 70 feet wide by 180 feet long, is valued at about $20,000. If paperwork is approved by the county to change the zoning designation, a duplex will be built to house the next two families.

Usually, it runs Habitat about $15,000 to purchase a lot where to build a house. Given that this lot will have a duplex in it, the savings for HFHGML reach $30,000.

"It's a very generous donation to Habitat for Humanity," Robillard said.

Work on the duplex will likely begin in the spring of next year. Until then, the housing authority will maintain the lot, and Habitat will choose a seventh family and begin searching for an eighth family in need.

Half of the future duplex has already been filled. Manuel and Sandra of Colima, Mexico, have been chosen as future homeowners. Due to security reasons, their names have been withheld.

Manuel said that ever since his family was chosen, they have been very happy and grateful.

"We are happy that there are people like Habitat for Humanity," he said in Spanish. "Ready to help families."

Asked if he had any plans for his future home, he said he had no plans, demands or suggestions of the builders.

"Whatever they give us we will take," he said. "Just the fact that it is a new house is enough."

For more information about tickets for the Festival of Trees or how to help Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake, please contact Curtis Robillard at 765-0924.