HISTORY . Habitat for Humanity International approves all local Habitat affiliates and provides guidance and materials for the new affiliate to get started, but all affiliates are independent, formed from their local community. Our local affiliate began in September 1997 as a chapter of neighboring Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity. At the time, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of S.W. Florida had requested that all of his Churches become involved with Habitat of Humanity. A meeting was held in Arcadia at St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church in the late summer and a group of a dozen interested locals decided to pursue the issue of starting a local Habitat program. With the help of Charlotte County Habitat, the local chapter was organized and an initial board of directors elected. Bob Baumann, who at the time served as Senior Warden for St. Edmund’s Episcopal Church, was elected as the first President. Other board members included: Randle Dew, Treasurer, Shelly Baumann Secretary and Rev. Doris Mattison, member at large. Within three months a lot had been donated, money was raised and the selection process for our first family was underway. Construction of our first Habitat home was begun in June of 1998 and the home was completed and turned over to Carrie Daniels and her children in late December that year. The process continued as funds allowed for construction with house number two begun in January of 2000 and completed in May of 2000 for Kenya Stroman and her children. During this time the actual application process for becoming a full Habitat for Humanity affiliate was begun by then President Randle Dew and his wife June. With months of effort and mounds of paperwork complete, a full roster of committee chairs and personnel, the official designation of Arcadia DeSoto County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. was bestowed upon us on September 1, 2000. Ellen Davis proudly accepted the nomination as our first official President and served for two years. The need for official office space resulted in the creation of our Re-Sale Store, first a co-operative arrangement with St. Edmund’s, but after six months it became a fully independent Habitat operation moving to larger facilities in downtown Arcadia. In 2002 or 2003, Ellen Davis was our Store Manager ably assisted by Bob Baumann. In January of 2002, the slab was poured for our third local home on land donated by Wayne Radloff and after a delay due to the health of our homeowner; the home was completed and turned over to Deidra Lopez and her two children in January of 2003. Work for the fourth home was begun the next month. The board elected Gene Heitman to be the next President and selected Bob Baumann to become the first Executive Director to oversee the day to day operations of the organization in September of 2002.” The 4th house was completed and dedicated in 2004. The site was donated by Wauchula State Bank. The local affiliate was staggering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Charley in August of 2004. Most of the snowbirds were not returning for obvious reasons, and some of the local residents who were Habitat volunteers decided they would leave the area permanently. Others were just trying to hold their own. The affiliate was trying to survive both from the material losses as well as the volunteer force. During this time, Charlie Priest was nominated and elected Vice-President. Charlie Priest was elected President in November 2006. Although extremely limited in scope, the group struggled and attempted to launch a public relations campaign.. We also tried feverishly to recruit good prospects for Board positions and Committee chairs. After what seemed to be eternity, several community members came forth and we were able to begin functioning as a board, to conduct business and vote on matters. In February 2008, Shirley Brown accepted the Presidency and Charlie Priest assumed temporary position of Construction Manager. With a great board, executive committee and a new Executive Director, Jane Breylinger was hired in July 2008. In May 2008, we started house #5 at the corner of Palmetto and Manatee for Traci Nicholson and family. In July 2008, a modular 2 bedroom house was donated and moved to one of our lots. We reopened our Resale Store at 33 W. Magnolia in August 2008 and on September 15, 2008 hired our Resale Store Manager, Priscilla Matthews. The store raised $50,000 its first year. Family selection has professionalized its process and the first orientations took place in August and October of 2008. Materials to build two more homes have been donated in the fall of 2008 and we received our first donation of 5 lots from the County. House #5 dedication was held in March 2009 and Dave Revels of Revels Construction volunteered to finish the Build. This was a community celebration. The steel house was worked on over the summer 09 and renovation of SunTrust donated office space was completed August 09. The Resource Development Committee was newly formed and planning was underway for Desoto’s Youth Got Talent competition and dinner with silent auction. We were approved for 3 VISTA’s to volunteer over the next year.
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