National Old Stuff Day

In honor of National Old Stuff day, let’s talk about our ReStores. Our ReStores are filled with both new and gently used items. Where some may see “old stuff” in our ReStores, others see treasures, possibilities, and potential.

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity has two ReStores to service 400 square miles, with locations in the city of Duarte and Atwater Village. Our ReStores average 30 residential pickups a week, with two teams of experienced drivers working Tuesday through Saturday throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Although our Atwater Village ReStore is the only site that accepts drop-off donations from the public (hours: 9am to 12pm), both ReStores process donation deliveries twice a day.

There are many reasons why people donate their items. Whether you’re leaving the country, moving to a smaller place, helping to empty an estate, or changing up your aesthetic and ready for new furniture our donation coordinators have heard and seen it all. We accept furniture that is free of any damage, appliances that are fully functioning and under 10 years old, tools in working condition and unused building supplies. Many of our ReStore shoppers know that they will likely find items that are gently used and in need of a new home, at a great low price.

As a non-profit organization that offers a “free” pickup service, sometimes donors want us to pick up their items that are beyond repair. Unfortunately, our resources only allow us to pick up items that are without damage. We do not accept any items with discoloration, rips, tears, damage or pet hair. The items we do pick up go straight to our ReStores for resale, so they need to be purchase ready.

We couldn’t achieve our mission without the generosity of our donors and ReStore shoppers. All proceeds from our ReStores go towards our mission of repairing and building homes throughout San Gabriel Valley -building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

If you’re interested in scheduling a donation pickup for your “old stuff,” call our Donation Coordinators at 626-387-6900, email photos to restoreinfo@sgvhabitat.org or visit us at sgvrestore.org/donation-pick-up-request/.

 

Atwater Village ReStore

5201 W. San Fernando Rd.

Los Angeles, CA 90039

Drop off hours: 9am to 12pm

Store hours: 9am to 5:30pm

 

Duarte ReStore

2215 Huntington Dr.

Duarte, CA 91010

Store hours: 9:30am to 6pm

Be Like Elizabeth: The 8-year old girl who donated her savings to help families like hers have a safe and affordable home

 

Elizabeth, the daughter of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity homeowners, Alejandra and Gilberto, donated $117 to help families in need of safe, decent, and affordable homes.  

Alejandra, Gilberto, and their four kids, suffered from constant health issues due to the poor conditions of their previous rented home.  

“It was always too cold or too hot. Since we moved to our Habitat home in Pasadena, we have not had to go to any doctor’s visits, other than yearly physicals. None of us got sick and we are so grateful,” said Alejandra. 

Moving into the Desiderio community in August of 2018 changed the family’s lifestyle. According to her family, Elizabeth has always been a giver. From donating her clothes and toys to family and friends in Mexico, to delivering food to the homeless along her commute to school she is always thinking of others.  

After meeting a Habitat supporter, Elizabeth made plans for her and her younger brother, Jonathan, age 6, to save $100 to donate. When the time came, she told her brother, “Don’t worry, I got it!” 

Elizabeth presented a custom hand-painted check of $117 to Executive Director, Bryan Wong, at a donor event located at our Desiderio Homes in Pasadena. The $117 came from her savings, which she saved from birthdays, tooth fairy visits, allowances, and more.  

When asked why she chose to give her savings to Habitat, Elizabeth said that “it will help Habitat families have a better life.” 

Elizabeth’s dream is to be a schoolteacher, specifically, a “compassionate and loving teacher,” or  speech therapist. She credits her elementary school teachers who taught her the valuable lessons of kindness, teamwork, and sharing. 

Elizabeth is also involved in various extracurricular activities in school. She enjoys playing sports including soccer, basketball, baseball, and swimming. She is planning to join the swim team next year. 

“Elizabeth is a very generous girl with a great heart. She is always thinking of others and how she can contribute to making people smile. This is not the first time she has shown her generosity. I’m so proud to be her mother,” said Alejandra.  

Elizabeth has no intention of stopping her fundraising efforts either and will continue to contribute back to the community! 

Those interested in following her lead and donating, donate $117 like Elizabeth! If your savings are anywhere from $17 to $1117, be like Elizabeth and join our Expanding the American Dream campaign by donating to help families achieve their dream of living in a safe and affordable home. 

How Donating a Car Gives Back to the World 

By donating your unused car to San Gabriel Valley Habitat’s car donation program, you can help families in your community and build a more sustainable world. Your car, running or not, makes an impact and helps families gain independence.  

Based on size and materials alone, automotive recycling can go a long way in saving natural resources and our planet. Cars that can be recycled are crushed, shredded, and recycled into steel. Recycling cars keeps a huge amount of steel out of landfills – enough to build nearly 25,000 steel-framed homes every year. According to Auto Alliance, “86 percent of a vehicle’s material content is recycled, reused or used for energy recovery.” The energy saved each year is enough to power approximately 18 million homes! 

Sustainability and Stability 

Cars donated to Habitat are reused for transportation or transported to auto salvage yards where reusable parts are removed. Proceeds from the sale of your donated car will help Habitat families build strength, stability, and self-reliance right here in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond. Our partners at Advanced Remarketing Services also return a higher percentage than any other vehicle processing entity.  

The Benefits of Donating Your Car to Habitat for Humanity 

 Your car donation makes it possible for more families in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond discover the impact of living in a safe and stable home. Running or not, every vehicle makes an impact and creates transformational homeownership opportunities. 

You get a healthy tax write-off! 

After your car has been sold, you will receive a donor acknowledgment letter or receipt to get a tax write-off. Contributions, including vehicle donations, may be claimed as deductions on your federal tax return. The selling price of your donated vehicle determines the amount of your donation. 

It’s an easy 3 step process. 

Donate your car online or by calling 1-877-277-4344. Once you complete the form or call the number, our team will request a Certificate of Title in order to donate your car. When your car is accepted, we will schedule a date and time to pick it up! 

We accept almost all vehicles, including:  

• Cars 
• Trucks 
• Motorcycles 
• Recreational vehicles 
• Boats 
• Snowmobiles 
• Farm equipment 

It helps the planet and families in your community. 

Old cars can become a sustainable source of income for our Habitat chapter and clean up the neighborhoods in San Gabriel Valley. Saving natural resources, reducing air and water pollution, decreasing energy use, and reusing parts are just some reasons how recycling your car can help the planet. In 2016, an EPA study found that recycling and reuse activities in the United States lead to 757,000 jobs, $36.6 billion in wages and $6.7 billion in tax revenues. 

Here’s What A Donor Just Like You Had to Say About Donating Their Car 

Cars for Homes donor Steve donated his four-door sedan to Habitat after 14 years of faithful service to their family.  

“We are delighted to know that more families will benefit from the over 14-year-old four–door sedan I so proudly purchased so many years ago thanks to my grandmother’s help.” – Steve, Cars for Homes donor 

Through our Cars for Homes program, donated cars raise much-needed funds to support our vision: a San Gabriel Valley and a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Start your donation now! 

More ways to help: 

• Donate to show your support to fix the housing crisis in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond 
• Sign up for SGV Habitat’s e-newsletters by scrolling to the bottom of sgvhabitat.org 
• Share this article and educate others on the importance of affordable housing 

Help More Families Before 2020 Ends

Your End Of Year Donations Provide Essential, Life-Changing Homeownership and Home Repair Opportunities for Families – and a Tax Break For You!

$300-$600 tax deduction

The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act allows you to take a deduction of up to $300 (0r $600 per couple) in charitable gifts made in cash.

This is an additional “above-the-line” deduction that reduces your taxable income by deducting up to $300 per individual or $600 per couple from your adjusted gross income for the 2020 calendar year. This is available to everyone who takes the standardized deductions (taxpayers who do not itemize deductions).

Expanded deductibility on gifts for those who itemize

For the 2020 calendar year only, the CARES act has increased the charitable deduction maximum from 60% of your adjusted gross income to 100% for taxpayers who do itemize. What does this mean? Your cash donations to SGV Habitat can be deducted up to 100% of your adjusted gross income for your 2020 taxes. What does this also mean? Your deductions are greater – and so is your impact on families!

This is your last chance before 2020 ends to help families find the stability they long for through homeownership. Your support today affects lives for generations. The best part is, there are many ways you can help!

Donate Now Online

Cash donations are quick and easy way to show your commitment to helping families and ending the housing crisis. Interested in making a donation on behalf of a friend or loved one? You can! Use the comment box in the donation form to let us know. Ready to make a cash donation online? Click the button below!

Donor-Advised Fund Gifts

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a savings account for money that you plan to donate to charity. A DAF offers certain tax benefits for the donor, and donations made from a donor’s DAF to SGV Habitat benefit families as they build or repair their own home. If you have a DAF, please consider helping a family by recommending a donation to SGV Habitat. If you have questions about DAF, please contact Paul Van Ast at (626) 340-2280 or email.

Stock and Mutual Fund Gifts

Donating stocks or mutual funds may give you certain tax benefits when you make your gift, like receiving an income tax charitable deduction for the full market value of the donated stock at the time of the gift. Start the process now to get your tax letter on time! To donate stocks or bonds, please inform your broker that our investment account is with:

D|A|Davidson
David Bland or Karen Moreno
(213) 620-1850

Workplace Match Gifts

Many employers will match tax-deductible charitable contributions made by their employees, retirees and employees’ spouses. Some provide matching funds to support employee volunteer hours. The gift you give today could be DOUBLED OR EVEN TRIPLED. Click here to learn more about workplace contributions.

Cars for Homes

When you donate your vehicle, proceeds go right back to helping families in Northeast Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, and the San Gabriel Valley build or repair their own home. Running or not, every vehicle donation makes an impact and helps families gain independence. It’s fast and easy through our donation website and better yet – you may qualify for a tax deduction.

No matter how you choose to give, every donation creates endless opportunities and impact that lasts for generations!

Vroman’s Bookstore – Partners for Over 14 Years

Since March of this year, humanity has come together during the COVID-19 crisis to help one another. Organizations worldwide have stepped up to give back to their communities at a moment when so many families have become more vulnerable than ever. Locally, small businesses are struggling, and yet some continue to give back. Vroman’s Bookstore is one of these businesses.  

Even during an unforgiving pandemic that has affected millions of people, Vroman’s has continued to help organizations like ours provide important services to the community. In fact, they have been a generous and unwavering partner for over 14 years – with donations of over $44,000 – and counting! Vroman’s Bookstore CEO Julia Cowlishaw is delighted to see the impact they have had on Habitat families throughout San Gabriel Valley through their “Vroman’s Gives Back” program:. 

“The success of the Vroman’s Gives Back and San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity partnership reflects the commitment to decent and affordable housing of our shared community members. Vroman’s is grateful we are able to help SGV Habitat achieve their vision of everyone having a decent place to live.”    

Every time you make a purchase at Vroman’s, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the organization of your choice, and this includes SGV Habitat! You can join the Give Back program here. 

Partnerships Build Communities 

No matter what your organization does, you can help families in your community thrive. The importance of a safe and stable home is more prominent than ever. A partnership with us means an impact on families that will last for generations. 

Whether it be through virtual or in-person team build days, corporate sponsorships, grants or donations, your support today creates bright futures for families tomorrow. 

Learn more about how your organization can make a difference today! 

Visit Vroman’s Bookstore Today!

Homes, Communities, Hope, + You

Habitat homeowner Christina tells supporters what having a safe and stable home means for her family. 

When more people get involved – change happens.

As a result of COVID-19, more than 300 million people in 42 states have been asked to “stay at home” — and now more than ever, home is everything.

From May 11-31, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity has launched the Homes, Communities, Hope + You campaign to ensure that we are able to continue— and accelerate —our work in San Gabriel Valley to ensure that everyone has a decent place to call home. As the economic shocks from this crisis ripple out, the need for affordable, safe, and healthy housing is more apparent than ever.

— We cannot do our work without your help. Habitat is needed now more than ever. And now more than ever, we need you. Here’s how you can help!

• Get involved on social media
  • Take a selfie like the one on the right with the message “SGV Habitat + ME” on the sign. Use one of the post suggestions below or create your own – and challenge your friends!
    • I’m excited to join #SGVHabitat’s Homes, Communities, Hope + You campaign! I challenge [tag 2-3 friends] to join me in spreading this awesome community. Share your selfie!
    • I’m standing with #SGVHabitat and sharing my selfie to support the idea of Homes, Communities, Hope + You! Let’s flood the internet with positivity and connection during this time!
    • I support Habitat’s mission because I believe that home should be a place of comfort & safety during a time of uncertainty. I challenge you to share your selfie & declare support for Habitat’s Homes, Communities, Hope + You campaign!
    • We can build community during this time, even when we are physically distant. A community centered around hope and connection. Join me in rallying around Homes, Communities, Hope + You!
• Donate Now
  • Not on social media, but want to make an impact? You can! Click here to donate and help build homes, communities, and hope.

Spreading the word about the need for decent and affordable housing and what Habitat does to fulfill this need is more than important than ever. We can make a difference together – and it starts with YOU!

What happens when ‘stay at home’ means staying in an unhealthy place?

Home is the place to stay safe from a global pandemic. And for many of us, our home also has suddenly become our school, our barbershop, our restaurant, our office, our movie theater. For many, “stay at home” has meant the inconvenience of a changed routine. But for more than 19 million U.S. families sheltering in place, the substandard, overcrowded, or unaffordable housing situations they live with have only increased their feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability.

All of us at Habitat for Humanity know firsthand that better, affordable living conditions lead to improved health and stronger childhood development. We know that they give families the ability — and financial flexibility — to make forward-looking choices. Proper shelter creates jobs, revitalizes neighborhoods, attracts employers, increases consumer spending and government revenues, and lowers the risk of foreclosure, all while bringing transformative benefits to families and developing resiliency in communities.

We are an organization with Christian roots that operates in more than 70 countries around the world and in every state of the U.S. Our vision has always been the same: a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Here at San Gabriel Valley Habitat, with support like yours, we have partnered with more than 200 families who now have a safe, decent, and affordable place to call “home.”

Before this pandemic, the world was already experiencing a housing crisis. COVID-19 has revealed its extent and added to its urgency. Habitat is needed now more than ever. And — now more than ever — we need you.

‘Home has rarely been more of a life-or-death situation.’

— Leilani Farha, U.N. special rapporteur on the right of adequate housing

The scope and impact of COVID-19 is unprecedented. It has led to a near halt of the U.S. economy, with over 20 million people losing their jobs, and the impact will be felt throughout the economy for months and years to come.

While not immediately obvious to some, the pandemic’s effect on housing will be significant and lasting. Based on history, it’s likely that the negative effects will be disproportionately borne by vulnerable communities and low-income individuals. As the economic shocks from this crisis ripple out, these families will be hit hardest. They always are.

Low-income households are particularly at risk because of their economic instability and their concentration in the service industry and other hourly jobs that have some of the highest risks of COVID-19 disruptions. Given that 100% of our homeowners have low incomes, nearly all are first-time homeowners. We have always worked to provide flexibility to homebuyers to ensure long- term success, but as COVID-19 increases the economic need for these families, it also causes us to lose funds that support our operations, including [home builds, home repairs and Habitat ReStore operations].

Many of the families in our current pipeline represent the front-line workers who are fulfilling essential duties during this crisis. These are the individuals bagging groceries, delivering packages, preparing food, and working in hospitals. The uncertainty that so many of us feel today, these families have felt for a lifetime — if not generations.

The need doesn’t go away just because the economy has stalled. In fact – the need is growing.

• Over 500,000 Americans are homeless.
• Forty percent of renters are considered cost-burdened.
• Nearly 6 million Americans live in substandard housing.
• In an estimated 12 million of these households, at least one contributing member works in an at-risk industry.

We, just like the millions who are under stay-at-home orders, are adjusting to this ever-changing situation. Build sites are suspended, Habitat ReStores are closed, and finances are impacted, but our operations continue. Every day, front-line Habitat for Humanity staff members continue to make affordable homeownership a reality for families. They are working virtually to service mortgages and coach homeowners to ensure that they can stay in their homes. They are pivoting homeowner services, education, and financial planning to virtual environments and making payroll to ensure that when our economy reopens, we are prepared not just to continue building, but also to accelerate to meet the increased need for affordable housing.

 

Our Increased Response to COVID-19

March 31, 2020

Dear Friend,

Since I wrote to you on Monday, my team and I have been closely monitoring the escalations surrounding COVID-19, and we believe now is the time for us to do even more to protect you and the community for which we deeply care.

Here are the protective measures we’ve enacted as of today and how you can help:

ReStores

What we’re doing:

• Atwater Village & Azusa ReStores Temporarily Closed: Beginning today, both stores will temporarily close until further notice.
• Donation Pick-Ups Postponed: Suspended until further notice. If you have scheduled a pick-up within this period, we will contact you to reschedule.
• No Donation Drop-Offs: Currently suspended until further notice.

How you can help:

• Shop the Online eStore: Open 24/7 to anyone who would prefer to shop online from the comfort of home. We offer free shipping for all purchases. Supplies and quantities are limited.
• Save Your Donations: While we cannot currently accept pick-up and drop-off donations, please save your items for donation because we’ll need your help to restock our stores.
• Be the First to Know: Sign-up for our e-newsletter or check our website to receive the latest updates about ReStore openings, donations and our online eStore.

Volunteer Activity

What we’re doing:

• No Construction & ReStores Volunteers: All construction sites and ReStores are closed to volunteers until Wednesday, May 18.
• Team Build Days Postponed: If you’ve scheduled a team build day between now and Wednesday, May 18, we’ll contact you to reschedule your day.

How you can help:

• Prepare for a Busy Build Season: Take steps to stay healthy—we have a busy build season ahead of us and we’ll need your help to build, repair and rehab homes!
• Be the First to Know: Sign-up for our e-newsletter or visit our website to receive the latest updates about team build days, individual volunteer opportunities and much more.
• Sign-up for Our Priority List: Be first in line for team build days once our sites re-open by adding your group to our Priority List.

Special Event: Women Build

What we’re doing:

• May 1-2, 2020 Women Build is Postponed: Women Build will be rescheduled for later this year. Visit our Women Build page for more details.

How you can help:

• Already Registered? Keep the Momentum Going: Click here to continue fundraising, consider forming a team or add new team members.
• Submit a Spirit of Women Build Award Nomination: Do you know an amazing woman in our community? Tell us about her by completing a nomination form.
• It’s Not Too Late to Join: Become a sponsor, create a team or join as an individual! Click here to get started.

Staff/Community Safety

What We’re Doing:

• SGV Habitat Offices Closed to the Public: While are offices are closed to outside visitors, we are working hard to serve the community.
• Have an Appointment with Us? A staff member will contact you to reschedule or to change your meeting to a video or phone appointment.

How You Can Help:

• Call, E-mail and Visit the Website: In lieu of visiting our offices, construction sites or ReStores for the time being, please call (626) 387-6899, e-mail and or visit our website for regular updates.

Home Repair

What we’re doing:

• We are accepting and processing applications, but there may be delays in scheduling approved repairs until work can be completed safely.

Additional Resources

Local: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
National: https://www.cdc.gov/
International: https://www.who.int/

Show Your Support with a Donation

Unfortunately, this unprecedented pandemic hinders our current ability to serve the families that are still vulnerable in our community—to whom a missed paycheck can mean catastrophe.

If you can, please make a donation now to show your support to the families who need it the most.

I invite you to join me in keeping the most vulnerable in our community, our government leaders, and medical professionals in your thoughts and prayers.

I look forward to the time when we can re-open our ReStores, offices, and construction sites, bring our staff back together, and invite you to continue our important mission in person. Until then, we’re just a phone call, e-mail or website visit away. Please take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and others who may need help.

In Solidarity,

Mark Van Lue, Executive Director | San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity

DONATE TODAY