​You can easily #DIY your own checkerboard table! To build the tabletop, we used UrbanWood (available at our ReStore). The surface should be no smaller than 2‘ x 2’. The checkerboard grid is formed by 2” squares burned into the wood, forming an 8x8 grid of alternating colors. This could easily be painted onto the tabletop, as well. For playing pieces, we used wood salvaged from the Flint River. During a neighborhood cleanup, look for a small branch about 1-1.5” in diameter. Make cuts through the wood about ¼” apart to form twenty-four discs to use for playing pieces. Store leftover wood in a dry place to easily replace any lost discs, as needed. We then dipped twelve of the playing pieces in dark walnut wood stain to create a darker color; the rest were left natural. You could also use paint of any color to distinguish between the two players. Once dried, the playing pieces were placed in a small burlap sack and attached to the table.
 
We hope that you, just like those living in the Foss Neighborhood, will be able to connect with neighbors of all ages and get to know one another over a friendly game of checkers!

There are lots of volunteer opportunities available! Check out a full list below.

Habitat Olympics, Friday, May 5th
Our much anticipated annual fundraiser featuring construction-themed games and a silent auction will be Friday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!) this year! Volunteers are needed to: Help check in teams, be a caddy for teams, take pictures, sell raffle tickets, set up, and tear down. Contact Greg Hull if you would like to volunteer (contact info below). Also, there are still sponsorship and team slots available! Contact Ashley Everhart for more info on sponsorships or signing up a team, aeverhart@geneseehabitat.org or (810)766-9089 ext. 203.

Women Build Week, May 10th-13th
National Women Build Week is a nationwide initiative of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program, developed in partnership with Lowe’s. Last year, more than 15,000 women, including Lowe’s Heroes from across the country, volunteered at Habitat for Humanity construction sites across the country. Through Women Build, we can train and equip women to work more effectively, helping Habitat increase its capacity and serve more families. We are getting as many women out to the worksite as we can this week! We already have commitments from a number of local women in leadership, the UAW Women’s Council, and of course, Lowe’s! If you have a women’s group or would like to join us as an individual on site that week, then don’t hesitate to contact Greg H. to get signed up! Also, Lowe’s will be hosting a FREE tool clinic for any interested women on Tuesday, May 2nd, 6PM at the Lowe’s on Corunna Rd. Each participant will get to build a small table that they can take home. Contact Greg Hull if you would like to attend.  Greg Hull, (810) 766-9089 ext. 210 or ghull@geneseehabitat.org.
 
16th Annual Bastille Day Race in Fenton, Saturday, July 15th
 This is a fantastic volunteer opportunity for all ages! The event includes three timed and certified races: the 15K run, the 5K run, and the 5K walk. Volunteers are needed for: registration, guiding traffic and runners at intersections, managing the water stations, and helping to clean up. 100 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Contact Greg Hull if you would like to help with this great event. Greg Hull, (810) 766-9089 ext. 210 or ghull@geneseehabitat.org.
 
Apostle’s Build Sponsored by Thrivent Financial
We are honored to receive a sponsorship from Thrivent Financial for the second year in a row! Thrivent has graciously donated $60,000 towards our new build on Hill Rd in Grand Blanc which will cover half of our total construction costs. We will be approaching various church partners over the coming weeks to help raise the funds and volunteers to build the rest of this home. If your church is interested in participating in this year’s Thrivent Build, this is a great opportunity for the entire congregation to get involved. Contact Greg Hull and we would be happy to set up a time to come and meet with you and members of your church. Greg Hull, (810) 766-9089 ext. 210 or ghull@geneseehabitat.org.
 
Introducing Hammer Club!
As the volunteer calendar fills up with various large groups, we wanted to make sure that we carved out some time for our regular volunteers to keep their hands dirty! Every Wednesday is now “Hammer Club” day. This is an opportunity for our regular volunteers to utilize their large skill set.
 
If you are interested in participating in any of the above events, then don’t hesitate to contact Volunteer Coordinator, Greg Hull, (810) 766-9089 ext. 210 or ghull@geneseehabitat.org. Don’t forget! We also have opportunities to volunteer in the ReStore and our committees.

​Over the past few months, we’ve gotten our water assurance program up and running.  This program offers under the sink 3M filters, replacement faucets, and shower heads for Flint homeowners with positive lead tests.  We also provide shower filters to any Flint resident.  Since February, we’ve completed twenty-seven preliminary site visits for homeowners applying to the full program.  On these visits we’ve installed shower filters and distributed water test kits.  We have distributed a total of ninety shower filters, including those installed on site visits.  In addition to the filters, we’ve been able to provide four homeowners with new water heaters.  As homeowners complete the application process, we will soon begin full installations of under the sink filters and faucets.

Visit our Critical Home Repair Services page for more information.