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T
he Peoria chapter of
Habitat for Humanity isn’t
looking for anybody to
build a better mousetrap.
Well, unless it’s made with
2x4s and more.
The chapter’s 2x4s & More
campaign is ongoing and culmi-
nates Feb. 4 —that’s 2/4, get it? —
with an event at Barrack’s Cater
Inn on Pioneer Parkway that will
include a silent and live auction
of artwork, with the proceeds
to be used to purchase material
Habitat for Humanity will use to
build houses.
Tickets to the event are $24.24.
CEFCU is the chief sponsor of the
event.
The artwork to be auctioned
will be from students from grade
school to college as well as pro-
fessional artists. The only caveat
is that the art must be constructed
using 2x4 boards in one way or
another, said Greg Woith, execu-
tive director of the Habitat for
Humanity of Greater Peoria.
This will be the second year
for the auction and Woith said
the chapter, surprised with the
68 entries it received last year,
hopes for even more as the event
continues.
“Last year it exceeded our
wildest dreams for the first year
of doing this. Not to mention the
quality of many of the pieces. It
was something. It was also a lot
of fun,” he said.
Through November the chap-
ter had 50 entries confirmed, so
Woith said he is confident it will
top 68 by the time of the auction.
He hopes, too, to top the
amount of funds raised to buy
lumber and nails and other items
needed so the Greater Peoria
chapter can build six houses for
the less fortunate during 2012.
Last year the auction raised
about $9,000, he said, with a like
amount raised during the regular
2x4s & More campaign in which
donations of $24.24 are solicited.
That campaign will continue as
well, he said.
Habitat for Humanity was
founded in 1976 and since then
has worked to eliminate poverty
housing worldwide in partner-
ship with low-income families
and community volunteers and
sponsors. In the United States it is
now the among the top 10 house
builders in the country based
on the number of houses the
organization builds nationwide
throughout the year.
This year, as in 2011, judges
will pick a Top 6 for awards and
for a live auction. Last year all of
the entries were sold.
Not for Profit
56
thePeorian.com
Helping Others,
One 2x4 at a Time
Habitat for Humanity fund-raiser
aims to help build more houses
for those in need
By Paul Gordon
Emily Lowman shows a piece of art she constructed just from 2x4 boards,
one of the pieces auctioned last year at a Habitat for Humanity benefit.