This post is written on behalf of Habitat for Humanity’s Home is Key Initative.
As much as I love to travel the world and have unique experiences, the flood of security and peace that flood my heart as I walk through the doors of my home is unlike anything I have ever felt anywhere else. Every time I walk through the door after an out of town trip I always walk in and say “Home Sweet Home.” Followed quickly by “Bed, Sweet Bed” when I lay down in my own bed that night.” HA!
Growing up my mom worked hard to make sure our home always felt warm and welcoming. Many times aunts, uncles or friends lived with us temporarily while they got on their feet. We were always the house that family gatherings occurred at. It just felt right having holidays at our house with all 13 cousins running around and the chaos that ensued. You know what I don’t remember – but I am sure my mom would tell me was a reality of this type of choice of having an open door policy? The mess and the stress of cleaning up. The tax and toll on walls and furniture and the many, many things that I am sure got broken. What my mom created for everyone who knew our family was a soft place to land.
When Tim and I got married we vowed that our house would be that soft place to land for anyone who walked through our doors. We, too, have an open door policy. There truly is not a day that goes by where we don’t have people in our home other than family members. Last night we had a young couple in our home who is getting married in a month, talking about the joys and pitfalls of marriage. Tonight we will have a group of ten 20 somethings in our home to talk about life and faith. And you know what all the people in my home don’t see? The crumbs on the floor, the dishes in the sink or the pillows all over the floor in our living room. People don’t remember what your house looks like but they remember how they feel in your house.
What breaks my heart is so many people don’t have that feeling of love and security inside the walls of their home. Because being in the place where they rest their head they are ladled with debt and worry. Did you know virtually nowhere in the U.S. can a full-time employee earning minimum wage afford a one-bedroom apartment? One in four households in the U.S. pays more than 30 percent of income for housing and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing or health care? And here I am with a beautiful home and family where those thoughts are so far from my head.
While I don’t feel guilty about what I have it does make me want to spring into action, where I can, when I can to help others have that same feeling when they walk through the doors of their house. Which is why I have loved Habitat for Humanity for years. I have gotten to be a part of many Habitat initiatives over the years building homes and watching families get the keys to their “soft place to land.” Habitat for Humanity has been building thousands of homes for over 40 years to create generational change for individuals, families and communities. Habitat is one of the biggest affordable housing providers, building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
So how can you help move Habitats “Home is Key” initiative forward so they can help more families around the United States? I am glad you asked because it is easier than you think. And you can make a difference! You can support the cause three simple ways this April.
1. Post a picture on social media about how your home is key with the hashtag #HomeisKey. For every picture that is posted Nissan will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity. This is a low hanging fruit people. YOU CAN DO THIS!!
2. Visit Habitat.org/homeisthekey to make a donation.
3. Shop:
At Home Stores: In addition to featuring Habitat as the register fundraiser throughout April, At Home will sell specialty patio umbrellas and spring coaster sets in store to give back to Habitat.
Chico’s FAS: Donate in-store or online at any of the Chico’s FAS brands
- Chico’s: Every sale of the basic essential slub tee from April 1 – May 31 will support Habitat.
- White House Black Market: Proceeds from every Comfort Stretch Ankle Pant sold April 23-May 31 will go to Habitat.
- Soma Intimates: From April 23-May 31, each Cool Night Pajama separate sold will support Habitat.
O’Cedar: From April 1 – June 15, O’Cedar will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity for every ProMist® Max spray mop sold.
Kum & Go Convenience Stores: 10 cents of every specially marked water bottle sold will be donated to Habitat, and customers will have the opportunity to donate additional funds at checkout.
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. I ONLY support causes I love and all the opinions here belong to me.
