January 16, 2012– Moses Lake, Washington. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake recently presented Roy & Judy Warnick with the Golden Hammer Award.
The Golden Hammer Award is presented by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake to individuals & businesses that have shown their support to Habitat’s mission of “putting keys to homes in the hands of those in need.”
The Warnicks have donated Christmas trees to Habitat’s annual Festival of Trees for 17 years years. Roy Warnick’s mother, Betty Warnick an sister, Mitja Stansfield, were part of the first Festival of Trees back in 1994. At that time it was held in conjunction with the Catholic Charities organization. Judy Warnick says, “We asked my uncle, Victor Dietz, about purchasing trees from his Christmas tree farm in Greenbluff, Washington. He felt both organizations were worthy of support and has given us a “cut rate” on the trees ever since.”
(left to right) Don Key, Larry Dennis, Roy & Judy Warnick, Sally Voight, Jeremy Boetger and Carolyn Grant, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake Board Members present the Golden Hammer Award.
The dozen or so Christmas trees, donated by the Warnicks, for the event come from Dietz Christmas Tree Farm which is still located near Greenbluff, Washington in the foothills of Mount Spokane. The farm is owned by Judy Warnick’s aunt and Uncle Victor and Marguerite Dietz and her cousin Jim Dietz co-own and manage the tree farm with a number of varieties of trees available for cutting.
Judy says, “Our family is proud to be part of the Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to help families in need. When we see the happiness and joy of families who are able to move into their own homes, we feel that the adage of “helping those who help themselves” is being lived out in our community. We have a great respect for the Habitat for Humanity organization and are honored to be a small part of the Moses Lake projects.”
Don Key, Co-President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake, says, “It may sound a bit funny, but in Moses Lake, all of our Habitat homes are built from trees. More precisely, Christmas trees. For years, the annual Festival of Trees has been our sole fundraiser to build homes in the Moses Lake area. Each year, various groups and individuals donate their time and artistry to decorate and donate gorgeous Christmas trees for the event. It all begins with the trees themselves. Wonderful trees that we have been blessed with year after year thanks to the continuing giving spirit of Roy, Judy and their family on the Dietz Tree Farm. The best gifts are those that make great memories for a lifetime. Their continuing gifts of Christmas trees help make great lifetimes and we cannot thank them enough.”
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake in the process of building their 11th home for a deserving family and plans for more Habitat homes are underway. If you are interested in helping with any aspects of building or any number of volunteer opportunities you can sign up on their website at www.habitatmoseslake.org. Many opportunities are available including construction, being a committee member, joining the board of directors, helping with the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser and more. You can also sign up online to receive information on Habitat for Humanity of Greater Moses Lake via email and you can become a fan on facebook at www.facebook.com/habitatmoseslake.
To contact Habitat of Humanity of Greater Moses Lake call 509-764-0160 or write to Habitat for Humanity 601 S. Pioneer Way Suite F PMB-278 Moses Lake, Washington 98837 or go to their website at www.habitatmoseslake.org.
