FEBRUARY 12, 2012, DANBURY, CT -- John and Joanne Patrick of Ridgefield will be honored at the 10th Annual Dream Builder’s Gala for Housatonic Habitat for Humanity on March 31, 2012 at the Matrix Conference Center, Danbury.
John was the founding president of Housatonic Habitat in 1991, and has been a loyal supporter ever since. He has served as an advisor and mentor throughout its journey.
Joanne has been selfless in her dedication and commitment to Habitat from hammering nails, serving as chairperson of the Friendship Breakfast for four years, and spending 10 days in Honduras building a house on a Habitat International Global Village trip. John and Joanne have donated more than $120,000 to Housatonic Habitat for Humanity, including sponsorship of a Danbury house on Patch Street, and a house near Johannesburg, South Africa.
“We are grateful to John and Joanne for their generosity and personal support,” said Mary Aly, Housatonic Habitat’s Executive Director.
“Giving back to the community is a privilege,” said John. “The low overhead and direct involvement of the beneficiaries makes Habitat unique in the world of charities.” Joanne said, “Housatonic Habitat for Humanity continues to improve the lives of working families in the area by giving them the chance to become first-time homeowners.”
Housatonic Habitat for Humanity was founded in Ridgefield in 1991. Since inception, the affiliate has built 21 homes for deserving families. It is expected that 2012 will be a record year, with seven homes completed for hardworking families, each of whom have contributed 400 hours of sweat equity toward the construction of their homes.
John and Joanne are involved in other charities in the local community. John is a member of the boards of Founders Hall and Western Connecticut Health Network. He is a member of the governance and technology committees of Danbury Hospital and New Milford Hospital and is
chairman of the quality committee. Joanne is active at Ridgefield’s First Congregational Church where she serves on the 300th anniversary committee and the meditation garden ministry. John and Joanne are members of the leadership advisory board of the Ridgefield Playhouse.
John and Joanne said that it took four years to build the first Habitat house in Danbury. Since then 20 more families have been able to benefit from simple decent housing. They said that the need is very large but the community has significant resources. They look forward to the day when the 20 homes multiply to 100 homes.
Habitat asks, “What will you build today?” Contact Aly at 203-744-1340 to learn more about sponsorship and underwriting opportunities or at www.housatonichabitat.org.
Housatonic Habitat serves Bethel, Brookfield, Bridgewater, Danbury, Gaylordsville, New Canaan, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Roxbury, Sherman, Washington, Weston and Wilton.