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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Two Favorites Come Together for a Cause

If you are one of my friends who liked My Facebook Page, then you may have seen my Facebook post about this already:

Warner Bros. announced the other day an exciting new partnership with Habitat for Humanity, with whom they will launch the "There's No Place Like Home" Campaign.  This important initiative celebrates the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz, while also giving real-life meaning to the most iconic phrase from the film through fundraising efforts to build homes in partnership with low-income families.

Everyone who donates to the campaign will receive a free gift, courtesy of Warner Bros.' licensees and partners involved with the 75th anniversary celebration...

Can you imagine our excitement?
When we found out that our (Ma's and mine) favorite movie joined up with one of our favorite organizations, we did zoomies...and we couldn't wait to share it with everybody!  I'm not named the great and powerful Oz the Terrier for no reason, pals!



Our Connection to Habitat for Humanity
Without Habitat for Humanity, I most likely would not have my family. 

Daddy-dog volunteering here in FL
From 2001-2006, Ma worked at our local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity as a Project Manager writing grant proposals and managing special events.  In 2003, she met Daddy-dog, who had been volunteering (since 2002) every Saturday in construction at our local affiliate.  Needless to say, they dated, got me and then got married.

When Ma left in 2006, Daddy-dog bought her a tool belt and a hammer and took her out to volunteer on Saturdays, which they continue to do today.  They are both considered Construction Leaders here at our local affiliate, helping to teach other volunteers the different tasks of building a house.

Once a year, they also volunteer with Habitat for Humanity International during the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project - a week long blitz build where everyone has to build a house (or sometimes two) in five days.  Ma and Daddy-dog are considered Construction Leaders with Habitat for Humanity International, having led teams in Louisiana (after Hurricane Katrina), Greater Los Angeles, Chang Mai, Thailand (after the tsunami) and in Haiti (as earthquake recovery)...to name a few.  

Ma and Daddy-dog in Haiti (2011)

Why we love Habitat for Humanity
So many people think that Habitat for Humanity gives away homes...but they do NOT.  Each family must qualify to be in the program based on:

  • NEED - they are living in substandard housing (and that's a bit different everywhere you go)
  • ABILITY - to repay the mortgage;  yep, families buy the house from Habitat and Habitat offers them a no-interest loan (thanks to the many sponsors who donate the funds to build the house, and the volunteers who help build them, Habitat can be the mortgage holder)
  • WILLINGNESS - to partner with Habitat to invest hundreds of hours of their own time into building homes; their "sweat equity".

For all the families accepted, their Habitat home is the first home they have ever owned.  It is also the first place they have lived where the children have their own bedroom and have their own (safe) yard to play in. 

And...a lot of times, it is the first place they have lived where they can have a family pet!  Because their monthly Habitat mortgage is based on their income, it allows families to live more comfortably, to buy the necessities (and sometimes something special), and to save money all at the same time. 

Ma and Daddy-dog have met several new family pets that were adopted from the local shelter, rescue or humane society after families moved in to their new homes.  To me, that is just terrierific!

"There's No Place Like Home"
"Ain't it the truth, folks?"  All of us with a safe, decent place to live know that iconic phrase is true.  I wouldn't trade my home...or my Ma or daddy-dog...for anything...not even a year's supply of treats!  If you feel the same way, you can be a part of the Campaign by visiting the website Warner Bros. created by clicking HERE.

Did you know?  Habitat for Humanity, with affiliates in over 90 countries worldwide, serves a family in need of safe, decent  and affordable housing every 5 ½ minutes.  With just a $5 donation to the "There's No Place Like Home" Campaign, you get this pawesome badge (you know I just had to have it!).


More information about the Warner Bros. partnership (click HERE)
More information about Habitat for Humanity International (click HERE)
Volunteer for your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate (click HERE)


The great and powerful Oz the Terrier has spoken....


41 comments:

  1. Oz, Your Ma and Daddy-dog are wonderful people!

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    1. Aw, shucks Ms. Taryn...that's very kind of you to say.

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  2. What a great cause and we wish them well. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. Oh Dog Oz! How could anything be more perfect for you and the hoomins...it's your favorite things rolled into one...Woot!

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    1. I know, right?!? I could not have been more excited!

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  4. That is just so amazingly cool Oz!!!!

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  5. what a fabulous fabulous post!!! Habitat for Humanity is one of my favorite causes, now, because of your involvement, even more so!! You rock!!!

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    1. Awww, Miss Caren...you are making us blush. Thank you.

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  6. :-D We Love Habitat for Humanity Oz, Domeek volunteered with them in the early 2000's and a couple of her friends in school got their homes through Habitat! But your Ma and Daddy-Dog seriously take the volunteering biscuit!!! Wow, you must be very proud of them, even though they abandon you on Saturdays! ;-) What a wonderful new program, we'll definitely check it out!!

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    1. How cool that Domeek volunteered with Habitat! Yippee!! BOL My parents may take the volunteering biscuit, but when they are gone on Saturdays, grandma comes to check on me (and she gives me lots of treats)!!

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  7. That's furrific Oz! So pawfect for you. You have wonderful pawrents. :)
    Hugs,
    Pepper

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    1. Oh, thank you for saying that Pepper.

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  8. That is a wonderful post, Oz. We hear about Habitat for Humanity all the time but don't know much about it. My grandpa that I sadly never met was a builder but Mom failed to get any of those genes. It is all she can do to hang a picture on the wall making only one hole! You can be super proud of your parents and I know they are super proud of you. Great story!

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    1. Thanks Emma! You should tell your mom that volunteers don't need to know how to build a house to help. That's what folks like my Ma and Daddy-dog are for; to teach everyone how to do it. If my Ma can do it, anybody can build a house. BOL

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  9. Sounds like a great way yo raise money. It is very nice of your mom and dad to donate so much time! :)

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  10. That is so awesome Oz! I didn't know all of this about your family. Pretty cool that your Ma knows how to build houses. And it's even cooler that your Ma and Daddy-dog volunteer and help out such an awesome cause!

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    1. Thanks Miss Ann! *whispers* I wouldn't say Ma "knows" how to build a house...she relies on Daddy-dog a lot to help her understand before she goes and teaches everybody else. BOL

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  11. Oz - this is such a great cause and so perfect for you. Knowing how to build a house is so great, I'm afraid we are not very adept with the hammer or nails...

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    1. Oh SlimDoggy, I have met your dad and I find that hard to believe!

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  12. Oz, you have the pawesomest pawrents! Beside my Mama of course. :-) Wooooooowoooooooo, Ku

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    1. Oh Ku...we all have pawesome parents!

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  13. Oh OZ this is totally pawsome! There have been some Habitat for Humanity homes built in our area, the owners seem to take great pride in helping with their own home. And thanks for visiting our furiend Tweedles. Being a poet yourself I think you will enjoy Tweedles blog.
    hugs
    Bailey, Hazel & Greta

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    1. They take pride because they helped build their own home! It's what makes Habitat really work! And your welcome about Tweedles...what a fun bloggie!

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  14. Wonderful! My husband and I should look into volunteering. :)

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  15. Very very cool. Thanks to your humans for what they do.

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  16. Wow, Oz! I liked your mom and daddy-dog from the first time I met them, but I didn't know they did such a wonderful thing. My grampa helped start a Habitat chapter in the rural county where he and grandma lived and helped build the chapter's first Habitat house. But it sounds like your parents have build a whole bunch of Habitat houses! We are very impressed. (Mom is particularly impressed that your daddy-dog bought your mom a tool belt!)

    your pal,
    Garth

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    1. GET OUT!!! Your grandpa helped start an affiliate and helped build its first house?!? That is pawesome Garth!! We have more in common then we realize, pal.

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  17. Oh Oz, I've said it befores, and I'll say it agains....YOUR PEEPS ROCK!!! Really, that is soooo cool! And, might I say, your peeps are one very handsome couple!!!
    And, who doesn't like a gal with her own tool belt??! BOL
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  18. How totally pawsome Oz!! We've seen and heard about Habitat for Humanity on tv butt we don't actually know of it is running here in South Africa. It would be a wonderful, wonderful initiative for South Africa, considering our huge lack of housing and resulting informal settlements.

    A big HIGH FIVE paws to your mom & dad for all they have done and continue to do.

    Wally & Sammy

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  19. your folks are good people, oz. kudos to them for the work they do.
    wags. bailey unleashed

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  20. Love this! And love learning a bit more about you. We've volunteered with a couple of Habitat house buildings, so I can understand the time and commitment involved in what you've done and still do. BRAVO!!

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  21. Golden PAWsome :-) to your peeps. Golden LOVE of you sharing your building skills. What a great way to give back. When my dad was young he used to paint homes and this is one skill he shares when he volunteers in the inner city. Golden High Five to your mom n dad. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  22. What a great cause and what sounds like a great collaboration! It's always uplifting to read about the different ways people take to make the world a better place. Good stuff.

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  23. Oz this is just awesome, you must be so proud of your mom and daddy dog! It is wonderful and selfless to give of their time and talents to others and then to pair this one of the best movies of all times....wow!!

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Thank you for stopping by and leaving a pawprint. I enjoy reading each and every one!
Cairn cuddles,
Oz the Terrier