Take A Walk With Two Long-Time Greater Cleveland Habitat Volunteers

Reverand John Evans and wife Mary at one of the early walks.

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Reverend John and his wife Mary would like to invite you to take a walk with them…

Reverend John and his wife Mary Evans would like to invite you to take a walk with them. They are ages 95 and 86; we dare you to say no. Join the Evans’ on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Edgewater Park for the HABI-Dash 5K Walk as they fundraise for Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity for the 15th year in row.

“When we are helping others is when we are the happiest,” states Mary Evans, in reference to their over twenty-one years and thousands of hours of service to Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. Even though the Evans’ have had to slow down in the past two years, they can still be found on a Wednesday eating at the construction site with the volunteer crews, attending house blessings, dedications and helping to fundraise. “What is so special to us is that Greater Cleveland Habitat’s programs give Partner Families a hand up, not a hand-out. They (the family purchasing the home) are required to put in sweat equity time and make monthly mortgage payments,” states Reverend Evans. Mary adds, “There is nothing like seeing the Partner Family receive the key for their home that so many people worked so hard on; there is not a dry eye in the place.”

In their time with Greater Cleveland Habitat, the Evans’ have created an enduring volunteer crew that has helped build and rehab over forty homes for Cleveland families. They also have established an annual walk that raises funds and awareness for poverty housing. The goal of the walk is to raise $33,000, which is half the cost of fully rehabbing a house for a single mother with three children in Cleveland’s Buckeye neighborhood. Thrivent Financial, which offers a broad range of financial products and services, has committed the other $33,000 needed to complete the house. This is the first of ten houses Greater Cleveland Habitat has committed to fully-rehabbing in the Buckeye neighborhood.

The HABI-Dash 5K walk is family friendly and pet friendly. This year’s walk will be held on April 30, 2016 at 9:30 am at Edgewater Park, with registration starting at 9:00 am. There is no registration fee to walk and all people are welcome. For more information on joining this year’s walk and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.clevelandhabitat.org/habidash5k.