Housatonic Habitat for Humanity is excited to announce it is holding the organization’s first annual Blueprints and Blue Jeans fundraising event to celebrate its 30th anniversary on September 22 at the Lounsbury House in Ridgefield.
Here, we introduce you to our 2022 honoree - John Patrick.
You may know John Patrick as an Internet pioneer, IBM innovator, and author. What you may not know is that John is also a philanthropist. Housatonic Habitat for Humanity has benefitted significantly from his early leadership and financial generosity.
John, our 2022 Housatonic Habitat Honoree, formerly from Ridgefield and now residing in Danbury, is a longtime advocate and supporter of Housatonic Habitat for Humanity, with involvement in the non-profit since its beginning 30 years ago. “I had first heard about Habitat for Humanity and the humanitarian work former President Jimmy Carter was doing with the organization in the 1980s,” says John. “When the call went out to form a local chapter in Ridgefield, I stepped up to learn more.” The initial meeting was hosted by Pastor Mark Horton who served at the Sherman Congregational Church and at Western Connecticut State University as an adjunct professor. In addition to John, the meeting was attended by Sam Deibler of ARC (Association of Religious Communities), and the late Lou Price of Ridgefield Supply, who generously donated many of the needed supplies. John became the founding President of Housatonic Habitat and was instrumental in working with the town of Danbury to secure the first Habitat property in our community. “There were no donors then, so we turned to the city to secure property for our first build. With many obstacles to overcome, the first Habitat home took four years to become a reality.”
John’s support for Habitat has continued for three decades. “Giving back to the community is a privilege,” says John. “The low overhead and direct involvement of the beneficiaries make Habitat unique in the world of charities. We were fortunate to live in Ridgefield for 35 years and we feel fortunate we are able to help such a deserving organization as Housatonic Habitat for Humanity.”
Following John’s four years as President, Joanne became actively involved, serving as a member of the Congregational Relations Committee for eight years, the Board of Directors for three, volunteering at construction sites and at fundraiser events, gardening and painting at the Austin Street ReStore and helping with the second ReStore’s opening at the Danbury Fair Mall. She was part of a building team from First Congregational Church in Ridgefield who took part in a Habitat Global Village trip to Honduras in the early 2000’s.
Ongoing support of the Habitat mission continues both here and abroad. The Patricks have provided more than $200,000 in funding for Habitat homes not only in Connecticut, but in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Their recent donation of $50,000 to Housatonic Habitat will kick off the funding for two more Habitat homes in Washington, CT with construction beginning this fall.
The attire for the event is “casual country Connecticut.” Tickets are $125 each, groups of 10 are $1000. Visit HousatonicHabitat.org or HousatonicHFH.givesmart.com to purchase tickets or donate.