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Vail Valley Habitat for Humanity chapter honored

Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley staff members, from left, John Welaj, Maria Klopfenstein, Laurie Lilley and Craig Colby, accepted the "Affiliate of Distinction" award from Habitat International's Vice President of Operations, Sue Henderson (middle) in Atlanta, Georgia March 29.

EAGLE COUNTY — Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley is one of only 23 organizations in the United States recognized by Habitat for Humanity International as an Affiliate of Distinction.

The Affiliates of Distinction program was established to honor Habitat affiliates that demonstrate excellence through meeting or exceeding best practices and to showcase the work of honorees across the Habitat network. Habitat Vail Valley is the only rural affiliate in the country to receive this recognition. There are approximately 1,400 Habitat for Humanity organizations in the United States.

Community is benefiting



“We are so honored to have this distinction,” said John Welaj, executive director. “But, the real reward is knowing that our local community is benefiting from the hard work our volunteers, Habitat homeowners, board of directors and staff put in every day.”

Habitat organizations considered for the honor were reviewed on four criteria: building a sustainable organization; building community impact; building sector impact and building societal impact.

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The 23 Habitat affiliates chosen as Affiliates of Distinction were recognized during a special ceremony at Habitat’s biennial U.S. Affiliate Conference on Wednesday in Atlanta, Georgia. Four representatives from Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley were present to accept the award.

Since 1995, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley has worked in Eagle County to help local families achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Through its efforts, more than 68 Habitat homeowners have built or improved places they can call home.

Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley is currently building six homes per year in Gypsum’s Stratton Flats neighborhood. Its goal is to build affordable, sustainable homes and to empower families through successful home ownership. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Since 1995, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley has built and renovated 68 homes in Eagle and Lake counties in the communities of Leadville, Edwards, Eagle and Gypsum.

For more information, go to http://www.habitat vailvalley.org.


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