MORE SUPPORT MEANS MORE GOOD WORK. The Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity nonprofit has built 50 homes over its 36-year history. That work – building homes for those in need, at no cost to them – is supported by donations. Fundraising events like this fall's Oct. 3 benefit offer another opportunity to connect with the community and raise money. (Photo via www.habitat.org)

While the Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVH4H) organization has served the region for over 30 years, there’s still room for some “firsts.”

From 10am-3pm on Saturday, Oct. 3, the homebuilding nonprofit will host a first-time event at its retail shop – the ReStore (145 N. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire) – doubling as a celebration of its 36th anniversary and fundraising event.

All proceeds will benefit CVH4H’s operational budget and, specifically, its mission to build new houses for those in need at no cost to them. 

CVH4H has already built 50 houses in the area, with another slated to go up before the end of the year. In 2027, three more will be completed, while the nonprofit team aims to boost that number to four brand-new builds every year thereafter.

“I want to build as many homes in this community as we feasibly can!”

PHIL SWILER

CVH4H EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ON THE ORG'S CONTINUED HOMEBUILDING EFFORTS

This year, the local affiliate welcomed a few new faces to continue that work and more, including Executive Director Phil Swiler. (It’s worth noting, while Swiler and two new roles were added to the CVH4H crew this year, the team operates with about half as many staff as many other affiliates across the nation do.)

Over the past six months settling into the nonprofit leadership role, Swiler has focused on reinvigorating the local affiliate’s relationships across the community – and the upcoming, first-time event is one example of that.

Entry to the Oct. 3 event, which will include food trucks, bouncy houses, music and more – is just $5/person. That entry fee also includes one raffle ticket (with the option to buy a raffle ticket bundle, five tickets for $20), which can be put toward a number of prizes:

CVH4H's Oct. 3 event's raffle prizes:

• Lasker Jewelers' Star of Hope” necklace ($499 value)
• $300 Hy-Vee Gift Card
• $200 shopping spree at the ReStore
• Chippewa River Distillery Bloody Mary Kit ($150 value)
• Chippewa River Distillery Old Fashioned Kit ($150 value)
• Golf Outing Basket + $50 Scheels gift card ($200 value)

Raffle item winners will be contacted by phone, email and announced on CVH4H's social medias.

In this new role, Swiler has already been pleasantly surprised – and humbled – by the sheer amount of individuals in the Chippewa Valley who appreciate the work CVH4H does.

“I wasn’t prepared to have people say back to me, ‘Wow, (CVH4H has) such a great mission and what you do is so important.’ ” Swiler said. “Most people genuinely share their perception of what I do and some have great stories about how they helped on a build or volunteered.”

Swiler added, “I want to build as many homes in this community as we feasibly can!”

The Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity nonprofit also operates the ReStore, an 8,000-square-foot retail shop – largely stocked through donations – host to all kinds of building and renovations materials, furniture, tools and more. (Photo by McKenna Scherer)

Of course, one ‘ah ha’ moment for Swiler thus far has included the completion of those new home builds, which seem to always include a few necessary pivots or timeline shifts.

Driven by the real community need for housing, CVH4H staff and volunteers hope community support continues – and grows – into the new year and beyond.

Purchase your entry ticket to the 36-year community benefit event, slated for 10am-3pm on Oct. 3, or donate to CVH4H online • Learn more about the Chippewa Valley Habitat for Humanity (CVH4H) organization online • Visit the ReStore (145 N. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire) 10am-4:30pm, Tuesday-Saturday