Sarah Sullivan, 17, a resident of the Mayfair section of Philadelphia is no stranger to volunteerism. Currently a rising senior at St. Hubert's High School, an all-girls Catholic school in Philadelphia, she has added a variety of community service and volunteer commitments to her grueling field hockey schedule and academic regimen since her freshman year. Most recently Sarah began working to sponsor a group build day - a $2,500 commitment - by organizing a dress-down day at New Foundations Charter School which raised approximately $500 toward this goal.

Sarah first heard of Habitat Philadelphia when her father and brother volunteered. Inspired by their experience and by her fundraising friend and classmate Megan Agnew, she soon began to look for ways she could get involved with Habitat Philadelphia. Once Sarah realized she could sponsor a group build day, she recruited some other interested friends, and together they spear-headed a small fundraising band to begin raising money in support of Habitat. "When I found out you could have your own build day with 6-7 people, I talked to some friends who I knew might be interested, and we started a small group. We talked about ways to fundraise for our own build day." Among the young ladies participating with Sarah in the group build day effort are St. Hubert's classmates Megan Agnew, Liz Taggert, Amanda Voteo, Jess Christie, Brenna Hopely, and Kristen Marchak.

As Vice President of her school's Community Service Corps, she has helped children with disabilities participate in activities and games through St. Joseph's University's "Hand in Hand" program. From making sandwiches for St. Francis kids to street clean- up days to tutoring at New Foundations Charter School, Sarah is an active young woman with a vision for serving people and her city.

Groups volunteering to build for Habitat Philadelphia need to raise $2500 to help cover the cost of their build day and material expenses. Because Habitat build days tend to be peopled by corporations and firms, a high school team working toward this goal is unusual - and convicting! With $2,000 more to raise, Sarah and friends are entering their senior year with no plans to slow down. "We wrote letters for businesses on Frankford Avenue which is right by our school. We are going to hand them out tomorrow," says Sarah, with hopes that local businesses will join them in sponsoring their build day.

What are Sarah's goals in assisting Habitat's efforts in these ways? "Since I was involved in the Community Service Corps, it opened my eyes to see what is out there. The girls and I want to give back to the community. We're involved in sports in the community and it has supported us in them. Although it's not in the same way, we want to try to give back." Many thanks to Sarah Sullivan and her hard-working friends for being leaders among youth in building hope in the city of Philadelphia!

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia will continue matching singles who share a passion for social change through our event called Singles Build. For one Saturday per month this fall, eligible bachelors and bachelorettes can swing a hammer together while helping Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia complete construction on one of 11 homes to be completed this year. The event will include a half day of construction (with orientation!), a boxed lunch provided by a Habitat sponsor, and an after-party that evening at a local restaurant or coffeebar. Registration fee per person is $75, and proceeds from the event will be used to cover the material costs of building. Come out and meet your mate while you both do something worthwhile for your community!

Starting in September, we will be offering two new features to help increase Singles Build networking returns:

1. Bring Your Male Friend Discount - Ladies, we all have them - guy friends who we're not romantically drawn to but who would be Mr. Wonderful for someone else! Habitat Philadelphia is offering a ticket special of $50 per person if you recruit and bring your male friend along to build and mingle with you on your Singles Build date of choice.

2. Myspace Networking - We now have a myspace profile dedicated entirely to Singles Build networking. This is only available to registered Singles Build folks. Once you are registered, you will be given access to be"friend" our other connected single friends. Meet the men and women you will be working with side by side! Plan to come out to more build days together!

Interested parties may register on our website or by calling 215. SOLO NO MO.

Habitat Philadelphia's second Sustainable Building Conference will be held Friday through Sunday, March 14 - 16, 2008, hosted by Philadelphia University. Based on the response to last year's event, this year will boast a three day conference.

Friday, March 14 - Drexel University
Keynote speaker and networking event

Saturday, March 15 - Philadelphia University
A full day of workshops in two tracks - one for design and building professionals and another for the general public

Sunday, March 16
Tour existing local green buildings via natural gas powered buses

Join us as we celebrate this year's homecoming of our hard-working partner families. The fabulous RAE Restaurant will host the evening which includes an open bar, a sampling of the best of Daniel Stern's RAE and Gayle Restaurants, and a silent auction, all in the Atrium of the CIRA Centre.

Auction items will be posted to the website in the coming month as they become available. Sponsorships are also available from $1,500 to $25,000. Please contact Stephanie Thaw at 215-765- 6000 x22 or at stephaniet@habitatphiladelphia.org if you would like to contribute in either of these ways.

Our House Story will be continued in September.