Recycling, redistributing for less is ReStore’s aim

Habitat for Humanity expands mission of aid

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by SHELLEY MASCIA Volunteers assist a customer with her purchase from the Patuxent Habitat for Humanity ReStore, located in Lexington Park. The store accepts donations of used or new furniture, appliances and building materials to be distributed at a lower cost. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo The Patuxent Habitat for Humanity ReStore assists those located in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.

The Patuxent Habitat ReStore sells appliances, furniture and building materials, all of which is donated. The store accepts new and used building materials and other items in good condition.

‘‘ReStore is supported by Habitat,” said John Wagner, president emeritus and founder of Patuxent Habitat for Humanity. ‘‘ReStore is a great service to the community. Anything that people would throw away is recycled and we sell them at bargain prices.”

Habitat for Humanity’s mission is to end poverty housing and get people out of substandard living conditions. There are certain criteria for family selection and adequate housing, certain income and credit level. Families are picked, a home is built and the house is sold to the family at cost for zero interest mortgage.

‘‘We want people to realize the lifelong dream of homeownership,” said John P. Girolomo of Lusby. Girolomo is the ReStore director.

‘‘We sell the items to help fund the affiliate,” Girolomo said. ‘‘We cover St. Mary’s and Calvert. Any profit that we get goes towards building houses.”

ReStore is a nationwide Habitat program. There are about 600 stores across the country. The ReStore in Lexington Park has been open since Sept. 15, 2007.

‘‘Our first mission is to fund the affiliate. Our second mission is to reach out to the community by selling low-cost goods,” Girolomo said. ‘‘Our third mission is environmental impact. We have saved 200,000 pounds from the dump so far.”

Since 2003, nine homes have been built in St. Mary’s and Calvert County. Starting in March 2009, five will be built in Calvert County.

ReStore is run completely by volunteers. There is a core of 20 volunteers that run the store and they receive help from the local high schools and community service workers. Jobs are available for everyone.

‘‘I chose to work at the ReStore after school and because I have seen some of the things that Habitat for Humanity does for the community,” said Brian Fedorchak, 17, of Lusby. ‘‘It’s a great way to get things done for people in the area.”

Donations of any kind can be made and are tax deductible. The most interesting donation the store has received so far is two truckloads — or about 30,000 linear feet — of composite decking. According to Girolomo, it was sold out in 24 hours. Composite decking is deck boards made out of recyclable materials.

Another big surprise was 24 sets of outdoor stereo equipment. Businesses also donate to the ReStore, including Dean Lumber & Supply in Hollywood, Md., which donated a truckload of brand new hardware, and Lowe’s Home Improvement, which is a consistent supplier.

ReStore is looking towards the future building of a second store in Calvert County.

Wagner added that the store would be somewhere south of Prince Frederick.

‘‘We are talking to the county about various pieces of land,” Wagner said. ‘‘The ReStore is expanding every day.”