Under Birtcil, Habitat gives hand up

Pam Birtcil, executive director of Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity, prepares for a presentation she'll be giving about the non-profit, United Way, agency. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Pam Birtcil sat in her office Monday afternoon with a large poster board stretched across her desk. On the poster board read several different informational and inspirational bits and pieces of information about the agency which she's become so passionate about.

"That's my motto," said Birtcil, executive director of Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity, referring to one of the slogans, "Habitat for Humanity is a hand up, not a hand out."

Birtcil was preparing a presentation she'll share with local businesses in hopes of persuading them to become more involved with Habitat.

In addition to running the local affiliate of Habitat, Birtcil will be expanding her duties for the non-profit organization by also sitting on the Tennessee Habitat for Humanity State Board of Directors.

She was formally named executive director of Bedford Builds Habitat last month, and less than a month after that she was asked to serve on the state board.

"I think this will bring more to Bedford County," Birtcil said. "I will have an opportunity to learn more by getting my foot outside of here."

Of the 16 members serving on the state board, 11, like Birtcil, represent Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the state.

"Pam is a go getter," said Mary Ann Davis, a Habitat volunteer, of the recent announcement of Birtcil being voted to serve on the state board. "This is a very big deal ... She is a woman with a mission."

Habitat for Humanity, a United Way Agency, builds simple and affordable homes in partnership with those in need of decent housing.

Through the help of local individuals, churches, businesses and partner families, who donate their time, money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates affordable homes. Families purchase the homes at no profit through interest-free loans.

The Shelbyville affiliate chapter of the non-profit organization has been in existence for about 12 years now, and so far 29 homes have been built. As of this summer, they're about halfway finished with their second home. Local Habitat homes are dedicated to their new owners each October.

"I wanted to make a difference in our community," said Birtcil of her decision to serve as executive director. "I had worked in the corporate world for years and wanted very much to make a difference."

That was two years ago and now Birtcil says she can't imagine herself doing anything else.

"I'll do this forever," she said.

Her involvement on the state board, where she'll represent local affiliates all over the state, will allow her to learn more about the agency as a whole, help more people, and learn about ways to generate more funding locally.

Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity has two major fundraisers each year. The Habitat Ball, the largest fundraiser, is held each February and usually raises around $40,000.

"To build one house, materials average about $36,000, not including the lot or the development of the lot," she said. "The average mortgage for one house is about $50,000."

Partner families, who are chosen after applying for the home by a selection committee, receive a 20-year mortgage, at zero percent interest. The zero-percent interest home includes the mortgage, homeowners insurance and property taxes.

The monthly mortgage payment is usually around $300, although Birtcil said it varies from house to house, depending on how many tax deductible "gifts," such as tile or other materials, are donated.

"Every penny we spend on a house, from the nails to the shingles, becomes that family's mortgage," she said.

The second largest fundraiser for Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity is the "Mighty 100," a campaign in which the intent is for 100 businesses, churches or individuals to pledge $30 per month for a total of $36,000 a year.

"That would pay for the materials to build one house each year," according to Habitat for Humanity literature.

However, Habitat needs more than monetary donations, said Birtcil. The organization needs volunteers to donate their time to build houses. Birtcil would also like to see more businesses become involved by donating work hours.

On any given work day, a volunteer would be working alongside the homeowners, who are required to invest hundreds of hours of their own labor -- sweat equity -- into building their own house, and the houses of others.

Volunteers will also see Birtcil there working. She usually works in her office from 8 a.m. to noon each day and spends her afternoons running errands for the projects or working on the job site. She also has an assistant, Melanie Fishlock, who helps with office duties on a part-time basis.

"I love Habitat for Humanity," she said, while visiting with construction manager Earl Pruitt. "It didn't take long for it to grab me ... Habitat has done much more for me than I have done for Habitat ... I don't care where you are on the totem pole; everyone has something to give."

TO LEARN MORE

To donate your time, money or other resources, contact Pam Birtcil at Bedford Builds Habitat for Humanity, 109-D Noblitt St., 684-4300. For more information about United Way, call 684-6685.