Framing for the Future Annual Dinner

On June 26th, Flower City Habitat for Humanity held its 7th Framing for the Future annual meeting and dinner at the Hyatt Regency downtown.

About a hundred attendees, including volunteers, staff, donors and other supporters, heard a positive and uplifting State of the Affiliate message delivered by board chairman Tom Covell. Tom's overview highlighted our activities of the past year, including the launch of our multi-year construction project in the JOSANA/PAETEC Park neighborhood and the relocation of our ReStore.

Long-time volunteer Bill Gavett was thrilled to receive the President's Award, which honors a volunteer for advancing the mission of Habitat for Humanity.

Tom Rogers, secretary of the board, presented the slate of incoming board and leadership council members and paid a special tribute to outgoing board member Jim Koller, who has worked tirelessly with us for many years in the area of fundraising and development.

Our twin construction supervisors Edwin and Erwin Mageary handed out our "years of service" awards to veteran volunteers, who are the lifeblood of the organization:

• The 5-Year Level Award went to Cabinet Shop volunteers Fabian Carvalho and Norm Lurie and Hammer & Saw volunteers Sharon Manuele and Jim Mitchell. Not present but recognized were Hammer & Saw and Family Support Committee volunteer Vince Tollers and Dick Buck from our Cabinet Shop.
• The Hammer Award for 10 Years was presented to Hammer & Saw members Bill Pullis, Meredith Reiniger and Dan Rhoads from the Cabinet Shop. Not present but recognized were Hammer & Saw members Fred Harvey & Norm Karsten.
• The Saw Award was presented for 15 Years of service to Hammer & Saw/Electrical Crew volunteers Jim Cleary and Jim Keebler.

The House Builder Award was presented to ReStore volunteer Carol Santos. While the award recognizes extraordinary contributions to Habitat's house building program, presenter Diane Walker, Communications Manager noted that the ReStore's operation directly supports our home construction program. Ms. Santos has been a dedicated volunteer since the store first opened in January 2006.

Presented by Leadership Council President Jeff Gerstenberger, the Community Builder Award, honoring a volunteer for promoting Habitat's work in the community was presented to Ray Griswold for his outstanding work with Church Relations.

The Roger Cross Leadership Award, presented to recognize support of Habitat's neighborhood revitalization program, was presented by construction manager Bill Bartlett to B&L Wholesale Supply and was accepted by employee Ed Trouerbach.

To recognize his numerous years of dedication and service to our organization, Bill Gavett received the President's Award, which honors a volunteer for advancing the mission of Habitat for Humanity.

Elected to our board of directors for the Class of 2011 were new members Chris Booth (Excellus BlueCross BlueShield), Bill Hamlin (Water Cooler) and Tim Scahill (Layer 8 Group). Ray Griswold was elected as the newest member of our Leadership Council, Class of 2011. A complete list of our board and leadership council members is available in the About Us section of this website.

2008 FCHH award honorees from left to right: Jim Mitchell, Bill Pullis, Norm Lurie, Meredith Reiniger, Sharon Manuele, Carol Santos, Ray Griswold, Jim Cleary, Ed Trouerbach, Jim Keebler, Dan Rhoads and Bill Gavett.