Bahamas Habitat kicks off fundraising campaign

The Bahamas Habitat annual fund-raising Christmas Campaign has kicked off and will  continue until the end of December.

According to John Armstrong, president of Bahamas Habitat, the organization is using an online system it developed that gets everyone involved and leverages social media to not only raise money but to also “Friend Raise” by getting the word out about the mission. Those that have flown or volunteered in the past act as “ambassadors” to ask their friends and contacts for help to reach their fundraising goals, using a personalize webpage on the organization’s fund-raising site. Officials said they expect more than 120 ambassadors to be involved this year.

“This approach helps us not only raise money, but it raises awareness so that when a disaster hits we reach out for help and the response is usually immediate,” adds Armstrong. The organization raised $150,000 last year and has doubled its goal this year to raise $300,000.

Funds from this years campaign will support three major areas:

1. Finish, Furnish and Fund the Children’s Home – The grand opening of the children’s home is slated for February 2012 and the organization needs $100,000 to help finish the two buildings, furnish the facilities and help fund the start up operations to make way for 16 abused children.
2. Disaster Relief Funding – Bahamas Habitat has provided ongoing support to Haiti since the earthquakes last year and responded immediately throughout the Bahamas following hurricane Irene. Delivering food, supplies, water purification systems and helping build and repair homes and shelters, Bahamas Habitat continues to serve the ongoing needs of the Caribbean.
3. Building Servant Leaders – Over 700 people went through missions at the organizations main base camp on Eleuthera Island this year and funds are needed to improve and expand programs there.

“Pilots are special people and most take pleasure in sharing the joy of flight with friends and family,” states Earl Boyter, a Bahamas Habitat Board member and principal at Premier Aircraft Sales. “When a pilot takes his or her gift and helps someone in desperate need, lives are changed. Not only are the lives of those blessed by the goodness of these gifts affected, but the volunteers who demonstrate servant hearts are forever touched,” he added.

All donations are tax deductible.

The next “Fly-In & Help Out” event and grand opening of the Children’s Home is scheduled for Feb. 16, 2012.

For more information: BahamasHabitat.org