Athens Area Habitat's 21st Birthday Bash is featured in Jake!



Rocking the (affordable) house

Earlier this summer, Atlanta-based Slush Fund Recordings (with the help of New West Records) threw down one of the best parties going on during AthFest.

This weekend, the label will put some more of its best and brightest on stage for a special show to benefit and celebrate Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, which this year celebrates its 21st birthday. The big show, set for Saturday at Tasty World, will feature Atlanta bands The Judies and Trances Arc, with Athen’s own Velveteen Pink headlining.

With 21 years under its belt, Habitat has helped more than 70 area families over the years, and continues to keep its focus on constructing homes for those in need.

“Our main mission is affordable housing, “says Laura Dempsey, Athens Area Habitat’s public outreach director. “We build simple and decent housing for low income families in the area.”
One of the organization’s new initiatives, a thrift store name ReStore, recycles houses slated for deconstruction. Habitat has salvaged lumber, furniture, and other building materials and made them available for sale to the public. All proceeds stay within Habitat and support the affordable housing program, Dempsey says.

“It’s really special because we’re able to use our volunteer labor and our construction expertise. We break apart the houses piece by piece and salvage all of the materials that would normally go into a dumpster ... (and instead) are recycled back into the community,” Dempsey says.
“The sales of the ReStore help with our affordable housing program, and it also provides discounted materials for people in the community.”

On Saturday, though, it’s all about celebrating Habitat’s accomplishments in its 21 years – and encourage the community to help keep it going.

“The biggest thing about the show is that we’re really just excited about the 21 years, and we want people to come out and have fun,” Dempsey says. “There’s going to be free birthday cake, and it’s just sort of a party to get everybody together and excited. Hopefully we can spread our mission a little bit”

(Jake, by tommy mcgahee, 08/12/09)