Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County’s Women Build 2025: A Powerful Force for Community Impact

/in /by

The resounding spirit of collaboration and the rhythmic beat of hammers defined Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County’s Women Build 2025, a powerful two-day event that showcased an inspiring display of unity and skill.

The event kicked off on Saturday, April 26th, with 40 dedicated women volunteers pouring their energy into building brighter futures, collectively contributing over 160 hours of invaluable labor across four distinct home build sites. These remarkable women, a mix of community leaders, civic champions, and everyday individuals, tackled crucial construction tasks with enthusiasm and precision. From the foundational installation of sturdy ox board to the meticulous application of durable vinyl siding, and the completion of other essential steps on stick-frame houses, their combined efforts laid a tangible foundation for safe, stable, and affordable housing for Citrus County families. The focus extended beyond construction, fostering an atmosphere of empowerment and camaraderie as women supported women in a collective mission to empower local families on their journey to homeownership.

Building on the strong momentum of the first day, Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) had another successful Women Build on Saturday, May 3rd, with an additional 23 volunteers contributing 90 hours of sweat equity toward the completion of four future Habitat homes.

Justin Leech, Chief Operating Officer for HFHCC, echoed the sentiment, “The energy and commitment we witnessed over both Saturdays were truly remarkable. These incredible women came together with a shared purpose, not just to build houses, but to build hope and opportunity within our community. Their hard work and dedication are a powerful testament to what we can achieve when we unite for a common cause.”

The resounding theme of this year’s build, “We Nailed It!”, has proven to be more than just a spirited slogan – it’s a tangible reality brought to life through the sweat, skill, and unwavering dedication of these inspiring women.

Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County extends its deepest gratitude to all the women who generously volunteered their time and talent, as well as the sponsors and supporters who made this impactful event possible. Their collective efforts are not just constructing houses; they are building stronger, more resilient families and a more vibrant Citrus County for all.

Women Build was sponsored by Wells Business Solutions. Meals for Saturday, April 26, were provided by Wawa, while meals for the Saturday, May 3, event were provided by Habitat ReStore employees and volunteers.

The organization encourages the community to stay informed about future Women Build events and other volunteer opportunities by visiting their website at www.habitatcc.org and following their Facebook page Citrus County Habitat for Humanity.

Come ‘HabiBlast’ with Habitat

/in /by

Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County is hoping its newest fundraiser will be a “blast” for participants.

The nonprofit organization will host its inaugural Habitat HabiBlast, a clay target shoot fundraiser, at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays (TBSC), 10541 Ehren Cutoff, Land O’ Lakes. TBSC is the area’s premiere shooting range and is located on 260 acres of wooded terrain and provides a unique facility, its website states.

“We wanted to try something new and different that would appeal to the many avid sport shooters and outdoors people in and around the Citrus County area,” said Justin Leech, HFHCC Chief Operating Officer. “TBSC is a top-notch facility and we thought this would be the perfect event for people to come out, have an enjoyable time all while raising awareness for a great cause.”

Entry fees are $150 per person or $550 per team, up to four people. Entry fees include a T-Shirt, 50 targets per shooter, two boxes of shells (either 12-gauge or 20-gauge), one golf cart per team (individuals will be grouped into foursomes), lunch and drinks, silent auction and 50/50 drawing. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/29bnsr5r. Individuals and teams can also register at either of Habitat’s two ReStores in Crystal River or Inverness. Youths, 17 and younger, are allowed to compete, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, top three individual males, top three individual females and top three youth shooters.

“This is really shaping up to be a great family-friendly event,” Leech said.

For those who might need it, TBSC offers gun rentals. The facility has .410-, 20-, and 12-gauge rentals. Only one gun is needed per group of approximately four people. The facility does not rent its guns in the rain. Unless you are shooting in an event, TBSC does not take gun reservations—all guns will be rented on a first-come, first-serve basis. You must be a legal US citizen to rent a shotgun at TBSC. You will be required to provide a valid license for a gun rental, and any license left at TBSC will be returned via mail to the address listed on the license.

West 2 West Construction is the premiere sponsor for HabiBlast, with A&J Gardner’s Concrete and Avant-garde Consulting serving as Silver Sponsors. Citrus Title, Michael’s Floor Covering and Southern Pride Design are also helping to sponsor the event. HFHCC is actively seeking additional sponsors as well as businesses that would be willing to donate gift baskets and prizes for the silent auction.

For information about the event, sponsorships or donating items for the silent auction, contact Jeff Bryan, Marketing & Communications Director, at 352-563-2744, Ext. 4, or email marketing@habitatcc.org.

WTC Public Safety Training Center Director David Vincent stressed the importance of having the recruits be actively engaged in the community. “It’s not only benefiting the community, but it’s benefiting individual future homeowners who are out here with them as well,” he said.

WTC police academy students trade in studies, training for Community Build Day with Habitat Citrus County

/in /by

Under sunny skies and cool temperatures Saturday, April 6, five students from Withlacoochee Technical College’s Public Safety Training Center put their studies and training aside for hammers and other tools for a Community Build Day for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) at its Habitat at Citrus Springs development.

From helping grade lots, to scraping floors to prep them for tile work to installing vinyl siding, the students led by David Vincent, public safety training ce

Denise Barber, administrative secretary for Withlacoochee Technical College’s Public Safety Training Center, helps put up siding Saturday, April 6, under the watchful eye of core volunteer Dave Powell, whose reflection can be seen in the window. Five students, along with Barber and Chief David Vincent, from Withlacoochee Technical College’s Public Safety Training Center put their studies and training for hammers and other tools for a Community Build Day for Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) at its Habitat at Citrus Springs development.

nter director, and Denise Barber, administrative secretary, worked side-by-side with future Habitat homeowners and core volunteers for a glimpse into the work partner families put in toward achieving their dream of homeownership.

“We at HFHCC are honored to have our future law enforcement officers and first responders out at our jobsite to assist us in building homes for our partner families,” said Justin Leech, HFHCC Chief Operating Officer. “We know that they are undergoing intensive training and studies, and it speaks volumes about them as future community leaders to take time to put in the hard work to help us achieve our mission of providing attainable housing in our community.”

Vincent, who has worked in law enforcement in Citrus County for the past 31 years, considers it viable for recruits to understand the importance of serving their communities beyond their normal day-to-day duties. In the police academy, there are chapters about serving the communities in which they work.

“To me, community policing is a huge part of what we do in law enforcement, but it’s more than that,” said Vincent, whose been the chief of police for the Citrus County School District since 2020 after a 27-year career with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. “And just changing that perception, especially with our recruits, if we start engraining that in them right from the academy level and say, ‘Hey, this is a big part of whatever community it is you serve.’ Because a lot of our recruits will go out and serve other communities other than Citrus County. But this gives them a good example of what community service really looks like.

“It’s not only benefiting the community, but it’s benefiting individual future homeowners who are out here with them as well.”

Developing relationships with citizens is key in law enforcement, Vincent said.

“I think for the future, for our profession to be successful, you must be able to get out and talk to peopl

e,” he explained. “I think that’s one thing that is missing a little bit versus 30 years ago in policing, is that ability to just stop and take those few minutes to get out and talk to people more.”

This helps break down those barriers a little bit and get out of their comfort zone, Vincent said.

“You never know, in six months from now one of those recruits could be out (in Citrus Springs) patrolling this up here or maybe even tell their field training officer, ‘I was up here building these houses,’” Vincent said.

If your organization, civic group, church or business would like to schedule a Community Build Day, call Jeff Bryan, communications manager, at 352-563-2744 or email marketing@habitatcc.org.

HFHCC hosts HFH Macedonia affiliate officials

/in /by

While the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County (HFHCC) is bring people together to build homes, neighborhoods and hope for those in Citrus County, its work extends far beyond the borders of Citrus County. 

For the past dozen years, HFHCC has partnered with Habitat for Macedonia, an international affiliate formed in 2005 in Southeastern Europe to help meet the needs of its citizens struggling with safe, affordable housing.

On Saturday, March 25, the HFHCC Board of Directors and administrative staff were honored to host Zoran Kostov, the national director for HFH Macedonia, and Dragan Malinovski, its Board chairman. HFHCC President/CEO George Rusaw provided the international visitors a tour of its Inverness ReStore as well as its Habitat at Citrus Springs development. 

Afterward, Kostov provided HFHCC’s Board of Directors, Rusaw and other administrative staff with a deep overview of HFH Macedonia’s program and the in-roads it has made over the years in its mission overseas. East Pasco and Citrus County were the first overseas trip HFH Macedonia had made post pandemic, Kostov said, noting the importance of visiting its two key financial supporters of their overseas mission.

In the past five years, HFH Macedonia has built six new multi-family apartment buildings, totaling 48 units, which house mostly young families. Each apartment is 500 square feet compared to the 200 to 300 square feet apartments they’d been living in, Kostov said. 

“That’s relatively large,” Kostov said of the living space.

Each new build or renovation focuses on providing energy efficiency, which has proven essential since their country is faced with energy insecurity because of the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Russia has historically been the largest provider of fuel sources, Kostov said, but because of international restrictions placed upon Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Macedonia and other European countries have been forced to find other fuel alternatives. Residents have seen energy bills consume upward of 30% of their monthly income.

One of its best projects thus far has been the renovation of a 14-story, 112-unit apartment building. Built in 1960, HFH Macedonia rehabbed the structure in 2012. By doing so, the energy efficient measures put into place are the equivalent of one small power plant, Kostov said.

“The more we can do that,” Kostov said of establishing energy efficient measures, “the more our families can save.”

HFH Macedonia isn’t just a leader in the country for providing stable, affordable housing or energy efficiency measures. Government leaders invited HFH Macedonia to assist in writing building design and codes and national housing policy laws.

“The opportunity to see today what you’re doing is impressive,” Malinovski said. “While there’s many differences between what we’re doing, the Habitat for Humanity mission is the same: help families and people in need of decent, affordable housing.

“Your support of our efforts is unwavering and key to what we’re doing. We cannot thank you enough.”

Kostov and Malinovski had one final surprise for the HFHCC Board of Directors and especially Rusaw. In recognition of the long-time support of HFH Macedonia under Rusaw’s leadership, Malinovski informed local HFHCC officials that Rusaw had been named as an honorary board member of HFH Macedonia.

“What you are doing in Macedonia is amazing and inspirational,” Rusaw said. “We are excited to see the impact you’re having on families and your country.”