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Mary Stern: Inspired for the Aspire development

I am thrilled to introduce myself as the new executive director at the McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity. As many of you know, I served for many years as a Yamhill County commissioner and was deeply involved in our local area. For the past two years, it was difficult for me to work in Salem; I felt so detached from the community I love. It’s with relief and excitement that I return home leading this important organization.

Over a decade ago, I served on Mac Habitat’s board of directors and had a front row seat to witness a time of unprecedented growth for this small affiliate. With the development of the Debbie Street subdivision, MacHabitat became a premier nonprofit in our area by building homes, housing families and cultivating dedicated donors and volunteers who were truly a part of the MacHabitat family. 

I am so thankful to the businesses and individuals who have supported this effort in the past. Because of their involvement, we have constructed 54 homes with our partner families over the past quarter-century. I can’t stress enough the importance of homeownership for low income families, and am thankful so many in our area realize that having a safe place to go every night increases school attendance and graduation rates for children and decreases domestic violence within families.

Before us now, we have an amazing opportunity to build a total of 34 homes in the Aspire Community, our most ambitious project, near the of intersection Cumulus Road and Atlantic Street. Five homes now belong to families; three homes are in various stages of construction; and Turner Way, the new subdivision road lovingly named for our founder, Bernie Turner, is slated for completion in October. To fill those lots with homes, we need the continued support of the community.

Please consider a donation of time, in-kind support or money to help us fill the Aspire Community Development with hardworking parents and happy children. I pledge to use your donations wisely, keep you informed of our progress and show you my sincere gratitude.

Mary Stern was named executive director of Habitat for Humanity’s McMinnville operation in June. She served as a county commissioner from 2003 to 2013. She is also involved in efforts to expand the Yamhill County Gospel Mission.

Comments

sterncommish

Well, I was a county commissioner from January 2003 through May 2014 . . . but who's counting?

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