December 2013 newsletter

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December 2013 N e w s

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CELEBRATES 22 YEARS OF LOCAL SUCCESS Habitat for Humanity of Utah County will be celebrating its 22nd birthday on December 3, 2013 with big sales at its Orem and Spanish Fork ReStores.

The local Habitat affiliate is a non-profit, interfaith organization and is one of more than 2,300 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. The local affiliate is committed to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness in Utah County by building, renovating and repairing simple, decent homes with area residents in need of affordable shelter, and by providing partner families with no profit, no interest mort-gages. The organization serves individuals and families living or working in Utah County, Utah who make 25 to 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Families are based on need, ability to pay, and will-ingness to partner. Since its inception in 1991, the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate has completed 53 homes (seven which were renovated) in its service area, providing 88 adults and 163 children with safe and affordable housing. In the last nine years, the affiliate has gone from building one home per year to building or renovating five to six homes and has almost tripled the amount of Habitat homes that have been built in the community. The affiliate can now build one and a half homes per year using mortgage payments alone. Additionally, the organization has completed an extensive renovation of a historic home in Provo’s Mae-ser Neighborhood and is currently restoring the historic George Taylor Home, Jr. Home in downtown Provo. The affiliate has also completed a number of critical home repair and home preservation projects throughout Utah County in the last two years and recently completed the South Franklin Community Center at the Boulders Apartment complex. In addition, the local Habitat affiliate was recently selected to administer Provo City’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program and will be working to introduce and implement its new Provo Critical Home Repair program over the next fiscal year. In addition to its affordable housing and critical home repair and home preservation programs, the local affiliate also provides a free tool library and a basic home maintenance course for Habitat families and other interested community members. The organization also runs two ReStore Home Improvement Out-lets where new and used building materials, appliances, and furniture are sold with profits going to the affiliate operating and program costs. The ReStores have not only raised thousands of dollars for the affiliate, but are now paying for a good portion of the operation costs for the affiliate and stores and have also kept over two plus million pounds of waste out of the local landfill. The Utah County affiliate also promotes aluminum, paper, scrap metal, and vehicle recycling through its Habitat Recycle program, and recently partnered with the Utah Valley Circles Initiative to work to eradi-cate poverty in Utah County. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF UTAH COUNTY UPDATES MISSION STATEMENT Habitat for Humanity of Utah County recently updated its mission statement to more effectively define and explain what Habitat’s mission is in the local community. The updated mission statement is: “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Utah County helps lift people, fos-ters hope, and unites diverse groups to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communi-ties by building, renovating, and repairing homes.” The mission was updated as part of a yearlong strategic planning process that the local Habitat affiliate is currently undertaking with help from BYU Mar-riott School Strategy Professor, Dr. Paul Godfrey. HABITAT SPONSORING “IT’S A WRAP” AT PROVO TOWNE CENTRE Habitat for Humanity of Utah County is sponsoring the annual “It’s A Wrap” gift wrapping booth at the Provo Towne Centre during the holiday season. This year’s gift wrap booth will be located in the infor-mation booth inside the Red Robin entrance on the main level of the mall and will be open starting De-cember 14, 2013. Proceeds will benefit two families that the local Habitat affiliate are currently building with in Springville and Pleasant Grove. Volunteers and shift leaders are needed. Look online at www.habitatuc.org/volunteer for more information.

2 W h a t ’s U p • Check out the local Habitat ReStores to find the perfect gift for those do it yourselfer types on your holi-

day gift lists. We even have gift cards! Store hours and locations at www.habitatuc.org/donate/restore/. • Donate your car today and be eligible for a 2013 tax deduction for your charitable donation, learn how at

www.habitatuc.org/habitat_car_donations.html. • Recycle all the cans from your holiday parties and help us provide a “hand up” to families in need of safe

and affordable housing in our community! Details and drop off locations listed at www.habitatuc.org/donate/gogreen.html.

• Stay up to date with all the local Habitat happenings! Habitat for Humanity of Utah County has adopted a new texting platform called txtCloud that will allow our local Habitat affiliate to keep you up to date on what is happening at the organization - including volunteer opportunities, events, ReStore inven-tory arrivals, and much more! We would like to invite you to join Habitat’s Cloud. Using your phone, text UCHabitat to CLOUD or 25683. You will be asked three questions - your zip code, your gender and the year you were born. You are now ready to keep up to date with what is happening at your local Habitat affiliate. We know your phone is sacred space. Spam is not allowed. Check it out and see how it works - you may opt out anytime!

• Check out Habitat’s FUNSAVER Site! Habitat for Humanity has partnered with VP Deals to get all the latest bargains on local products/venues. Check out this week’s FUNSAVER specials at www.habitatucdeals.info. A portion of your “fun” purchases will help Habitat further its housing mission in the community.

• Have you tested your home for radon yet? – Habitat is working with the Utah Cancer Action Network, Utah County Health Department, and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to encourage com-munity members to test their homes for radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, caus-ing an estimated 22,000 deaths of year in the United States. Habitat offers test kits at the Orem ReStore or online for just $6.00! Learn more at www.habitatuc.org/radon_awareness.html.

• Need tools for your winter projects? Stop by Habitat for Humanity of Utah County’s tool lending library and “check out” needed tools and lawn care items for free. New tools have been added recently. The lending library, located inside the Habitat ReStore at 340 South Orem Blvd., Orem, is open Monday through Saturday from 10-6. An application and proof of residency are required. Look online at www.habitatuc.org for more information.

LIVE FROM THE GREEN CARPET! The Utah County Health Department joined Habitat for Humanity of Utah County to honor the award recipients from this year’s Radon Poster Contest at a Green Carpet Event last week. Student winners (ages 9-14) received cash awards and certificates for their radon aware-ness efforts.

P h o t o G a l l ery

3 P h o t o G a l l ery

Melissa Partridge needed a ramp for both her daughter and grand-daughter who suffer from Myotonic Dystrophy. They both live with Melissa and have a hard time going up and down stairs, which will only worsen over time. The sturdy ramp was build out of Trex material and will aid Amie and Malia Partridge immensely now and in the future.

Joann Jeffs suffered a stroke in March 2013. She spent until the end of April recovering from the stroke before she could return home. Although she was able to secure and begin using a Jazzy Power Chair, she was not able to get further than outside her front door and onto the deck of her mobile home. Habitat for Humanity of Utah County, with CDBG funds and volunteer labor, was able to build her a redwood ramp. This ramp gave her the ability to not only get the mail each day and move around her neighborhood, but to also go the four blocks to see her son at his home. Mrs. Jeffs, a widower on fixed income, was also able to get a new refrigerator through the grant program. Her old model was leaking water on her floor and she was not able to keep her food cold, subse-quently.

SAVING TIP (www.grocerysavingtips.com) Save Money on Produce If you buy a large bag of produce (instead of individual produce items), and the bag contains one or more bruised or spoiled items, remove the damaged pro-duce as soon as you get home. One spoiled item can affect the rest of the bag if it's not removed soon.

Revitalizing Homes and Lives! Habitat for Humanity of Utah County has completed a number of critical home repair and beautification projects dur-ing the past few months helping a number of low-income families in Utah County. Here is a sampling of completed projects:

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Rebecca Gonzales, or “Grandma Becky” as the neighborhood kids call her, is an 86 years old Spanish Fork resident. Mrs. Gonza-les, a widow, raised her 8 children in her home that desperately needed a new roof. Her roof was literally blowing away with the morning winds that Spanish Fork receives. The roof was made up of two layers of shingles, one layer of moss, and the last layer of original shake shingles. Two of the Gonzales children, a nephew, grandsons, a son-in-law and some neighbors helped remove the shingles. Volunteers, the same sons and neighbors, plus the local missionaries, helped re-roof the home over the course of 4 days. Because of the unusually warm Autumn weather, volunteers prepped and painted all the wood surfaces of the home and trim. They also rebuilt her fence and painted it, as well. The home was transformed over the week and Mrs. Gonzales, her children and neighbors are so happy with the beautiful new roof and revitalized exterior. The Gonzales family worked many, many hours along the volunteers and even fed them on two of the work days

P h o t o G a l l ery

H o m e M a in t en a n c e C l a s s es

Check out Habitat & Community Action’s Free Home Maintenance Course. The next class will be Wednesday, January 29, 2014 (There will be no class in December due to the Christmas holidays). The topics are: Basic Plumbing Repairs. Classes begin at 6:30 p.m. and are held at the Habitat office at 340 South Orem Blvd., Orem. At HOME DEPOT – Registration is necessary. Call store or register online. Look online for the December clinic schedule at www.homedepot.com. At LOWE'S - you must sign up for How-To Clinics by calling 229-1485 or stopping by their store at 140 West University Parkway in Orem. Look online for December clinic schedule at www.lowes.com. At CENTRAL UTAH GARDENS – Registration is necessary. Look online for upcoming classes at www.centralutahgardens.org/classes_events_concerts.aspx.

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10 Quick Holiday Decorating Tips 1. Stay with one theme and style for your holiday decorating. It makes shopping for decor easier and makes

your space feel professionally finished. 2. Let your nose know it’s the holiday season. Place potpourri and scented candles near your entry and through-

out your house. Or, better yet, bake some cookies shortly before guests arrive. 3. Choose two to three colors for your holiday palette and keep it consistent. Multiple color palettes can be too

distracting. Try silver, blue and white or red, gold and brown. 4. Create an inexpensive family tradition that involves the kids. Purchase a ready-made wreath of greens then

gather items to decorate it. Use pine cones, ribbons, crystals, feathers, beaded garland or homemade paper snowflakes.

5. Give your space a different look and feel for this special time of year. Rearrange your furniture so the focal point is the fireplace or wherever you hang stockings. If you don’t have a fireplace, arrange the furniture to create the best layout for cozy conversations.

6. Colored lights can be costly if you change your color palette from year to year. Stick with white lights; they can be used with any color scheme.

7. Start investing in a collection - something that can continue to grow through the years and can be passed on to the next generation. Check out online auction sites for vintage decorations.

8. Use lots of candles. Nothing makes a room feel warmer and more inviting than candlelight. 9. Bring the holiday celebration into every room. Kitchens and bathrooms are a great place to put scented can-

dles and smaller seasonal knickknacks. 10. The holiday season is definitely one time where “less is more” does NOT apply. Have fun and do it up big.

H o m e M a in t en a n c e T ip s (www.hgtv.com)

39 Frugal Tips for Saving Money at Christmas There are a gazillion ways to save money, which is one of the reasons why I love my job so much. The informa-tion we share with you each year here at Better Budgeting is overflowing. And the holidays are certainly one of those times when we need to implement as many money-saving tips as we can; so that we can spend less and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas! I’ve listed 39 simple ways to save money during the Christmas holidays below, you may have tried some of them already but hopefully there will be a few more ideas you can add to your frugal holiday traditions. Christmas Cards: 1. If it's not in your budget to send Christmas cards this year its okay, your friends and family will understand. If

you do want to send them but need to scale down consider sending cards to the people you would like to get in touch with the most.

2. Send postcards or letters, instead of Christmas cards. 3. You can even cut your old Christmas cards from last year in half, and send the pretty side as a postcard. I

did this many years and it works great, plus you’re being ‘earth friendly’ by keeping new cards out of the gar-bage dumps.

4. If you send postcards, whether purchased or homemade, remember they require less postage than a regular card!

5. Christmas cards always go on sale in December, and the longer you wait the better! 6. If you purchase inexpensive cards at a discount store be sure to look at them carefully. Some actually look

cheap, while others are much prettier. If you’re going to buy Christmas cards they might as well look nice! 7. For friends and family that live out of state or out of the country make a brief phone call and your loved ones

would probably much rather hear your voice than receive a card in the mail.

S a v in g s S t ra t eg ies (www.betterbudgeting.com)

6 Wrapping Paper: 8. Use pretty magazine pages to wrap small gifts. 9. The comic section of your newspaper also makes nice wrapping paper. (I once saved them up for a few

months before Christmas and had enough to make a gift out of a relative’s favorite comic strip. They loved it!) 10. Use your children’s artwork, or create your own on plain paperP the large reams of packing paper are great

for this, contact anyone who’s in the process of moving! 11. Save used wrapping paper all through the year, just roll them back onto the paper tube and place a small

piece of scotch tape on the edge to hold in place. These really work great for small gifts where the previously folded lines won’t even show. If the paper is the wrong theme, you could just turn it over and decorate the plain side yourself.

12. No need to buy expensive ribbons and bows to decorate your packages, if you hunt around you can find the cheap stuff that will be just as pretty!

13. Make your own gift tags by cutting a small piece of matching wrapping paper and folding it in half. Our family has been doing this for decades. Write the “To and From” on the inside of the paper and tape it to the wrapped present. This is also great for scraps of paper that are too small to wrap a gift, but too large to toss away.

14. Cut up old Christmas cards make wonderful gift tags too! 15. If you sew, you could also use scrap material to wrap gifts. 16. Or inexpensive tissue paper that you’ve saved from other gifts throughout the year. Then decorate the

wrapped gift with little smiley faces, Christmas trees, or even just the words “Merry Christmas!” You could even add some glitter if you have some on hand.

Decorations: 17. Don’t decorate, that is always an option! Or decorate with nature! 18. Don’t decorate with expensive things!!! 19. The stores have incredible sales every year for decorations, buy close to the holiday or even better, after the

holiday! You could fill your house with beautiful holiday decorations every year (if you wanted to), for a small fraction of what they originally cost!

20. Save your children’s (or grandchildren’s) holiday crafts and artwork from school each year, after a few years you’ll have a houseful of free and beautiful decorations! And the joy your child will feel seeing his/her artwork proudly displayed year after year is priceless.

21. Have a warm and cozy Christmas the old-fashioned way. Pop some popcorn and string it up all over the house!

22. Add some cranberries to your popcorn string for a touch of color, very pretty. 23. Decorate your house by bringing the outside in, using pinecones and acorns. Sprinkle with a few drops of

pine scented oil if you have it on hand, I know a lot of you just might! 24. Invest in a good quality artificial tree after Christmas - when they go on CLEARANCE SALE! Buy good quality

because they will last many more years. 25. And don’t try to get all your tree ornaments in one year (this one is especially true for young people just start-

ing out), it took your parents years to collect what they haveP and each ornament is more special because of it.

Food: 26. Many grocery stores are offering great deals during the holidays, some are even giving away food, or cash!

Read the paper every week for your local deals, or if you don’t subscribe to the newspaper, pick up the free ad flyers at the store and take it home so you’ll have time to look it over really good before shopping. (You can also read many of your sale flyers online at our GrocerySavingTips.com site and print free coupons each week!)

7 27. Also, when you're visiting our Grocery site, you'll be able to read hundreds of our free tips on saving money at the grocery store and cut your food bill in half, with or without coupons!

28. Compare prices! I like to buy whatever’s on sale at one store, then a few days later when we need more milk anyways, I go to a different store and get their best deals. It’s a great money-saver!

29. Store brands are great when making casseroles and side dishesP no one will even notice! 30. Cook your turkey in a large Reynolds cooking bag and you won’t need to buy an expensive Butterball, any

brand of Turkey should turn out great! 31. Stock up while everything’s on sale, just an extra can or box here and thereP not a storage closet full! If you

end up with too many bargain buys, share them with your local food bank! :o) Entertainment: 32. It’s wonderful to take your family to the movie theater during the Christmas holiday break, but this could also

be a good time to catch up on the videos that have come out for rental during the holiday season. With Net-flix you can rent DVDs online or stream movies instantly. No more charges for late fees or crazy amounts of money spent on popcorn!

33. Another great and frugal way to entertain the family through the holidays is to take a drive around your town, or another town nearby to see their Christmas lights. It’s a family tradition of ours to do this during Christmas week and we look forward to it every year!

34. Get out the board games, the kids will love spending time with you. If you don’t have many to choose from, maybe you can borrow a new game from a friend or neighbor. You never know, they might have a closet full they never even use and would be delighted to share them with you!

35. Playing cards is always fun too, even when the kids are little you can play Go FishP we’re making memories here folks!

36. Sing, sing, sing! Many churches and groups even have caroling get-togethers in December, what fun! 37. Sit around a warm fire, or cozy up in the living room with blankets and Hot Cocoa. Tell family storiesP or

have everyone take turns saying how they have been blessed throughout the year, like we do at Thanksgiv-ing. Being thankful shouldn’t end in November, keep the spirit going!

38. Have a family gathering to decorate the tree, wrap gifts, or bake cookies. (And if you do enjoy baking cook-ies, we'd love to have you join our Cookie Club!)

39. Check out a Christmas book from the library and read it together as a family. Or, decide on a story and have everyone contribute a chapter to create a new Christmas book... maybe even one about your own family!

BE CAREFUL (www.aap.com) 2013 Holiday Safety Tips

• The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday season, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Please feel free to excerpt these tips or use them in their entirety for any print or broadcast story, with acknowledgment of the source.

Trees • When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." • When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from

branches, and needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

• Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.

• Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.

8 Lights • Check all tree lights--even if you've just purchased them--before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the

bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections. • Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and

a person touching a branch could be electrocuted. • Some light strands may contain lead in the bulb sockets and wire coating, sometimes in high amounts. Make

sure your lights are out of reach of young children who might try to mouth them, and wash your hands after handling them.

• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.

• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks. • Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire. Decorations • Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic

or nonleaded metals. • Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place

candles where they will not be knocked over. • In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trim-

mings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.

• Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

• Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flame.

Toy Safety • Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose

safety hazards for younger children. • Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions

carefully. • To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, don’t give young children (under age 10) a toy that must be

plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.. • Young children can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys

for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long. • Children can have serious stomach and intestinal problems – including death -- after swallowing button batter-

ies and magnets. In addition to toys, button batteries are often found in musical greeting cards, remote con-trols, hearing aids, and other small electronics. Keep them away from young children and call your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one.

• Children can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons; do not allow children under age 8 to play with them.

• Remove strings and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children. • Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard

for babies. • Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’

toys away from young children. Food Safety • Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables

and fruits. • Wash your hands frequently, and make sure your children do the same.

9 • Be sure to keep hot liquids and food away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child’s exploring hands. Be sure that young children cannot access microwave ovens.

• Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it. • Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separate, and use separate utensils when preparing them. • Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop. • Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two

hours. Happy Visiting • Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in

contact with alcohol or tobacco. • Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots like unlocked

cabinets, unattended purses, accessible cleaning or laundry products, stairways, or hot radiators. • Keep a list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby sitter are likely to need in case of an emer-

gency. Include the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged by accidental spills.

• Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Trying to stick to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.

Fireplaces • Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to

see that the flue is open. • Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals

that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children. • Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn in-

tensely.

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RE S O U RCE S Community Action Services offers Home Buyer Education Classes on a monthly basis. Classes in December will be held December 11 and 12, 2013 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. To register, please call (801) 691-5200 or go online to www.communityactionuc.org. The Utah Valley University Turning Point Program has a number of classes beginning in January including An-ger Management, Successful Life Management, and Parenting. To register or for more information, call (801) 863-7580. Do you or someone you know need assistance with utility bills? The HEAT program at the Mountainland Associa-tion of Governments is now open and may be able to help you. For an appointment, please contact www.mountainland.org/heat, [email protected] or (801) 229-3855. Christmas help is available for your children! Sub for Santa. Call (801) 356-6200 or visit www.unitedwayuc.org for more information.

HOUSEHOLD HINT (www.hints-n-tips.com) Four Useful Tips for your Holiday Trip 1. Make copies of your birth certificate, passport, and driver’s license and take on the trip with you, but don't keep

them in the same place as the originals. If you lose the originals, the copies can help. 2. Don't use the locks that came in your suitcases, a fingernail file can open them. Buy your own small padlocks

and use them instead. 3. If you normally get an upset stomach while travelling, carry pieces of ginger with you in a plastic baggy. Chew

on them and your stomach will soon be better. 4. Separate your IDs. Only keep one ID with you. That way, if you become the victim of a pickpocket, you'll still

have your other IDs to help you out.

10 B e G o o d T o Y o ur H ea l t h (www.cdc.gov)

Holiday Health and Safety Tips The holidays are a time to celebrate, give thanks, and reflect. They are also a time to pay special attention to your health. Give the gift of health and safety to yourself and others by following these holiday tips. Wash your hands often. Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands. Stay warm. Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing. Manage stress. The holidays don’t need to take a toll on your health and pocketbook. Keep a check on over com-mitment and overspending. Balance work, home, and play. Get support from family and friends. Keep a relaxed and positive outlook. Make sure to get proper sleep. Travel safely. Whether you're traveling across town or around the world, help ensure your trip is safe. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t let someone else drink and drive. Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehi-cle. Always buckle your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to his/her height, weight, and age. Be smoke-free. Avoid smoking and breathing other people's smoke. If you smoke, quit today! Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or talk to your health care provider for help. Get check-ups and vaccinations. Exams and screenings can help find potential problems before they start. They can also help find health issues early, when the chances for treatment and cure are often times better. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Schedule a visit with your health care provider for a yearly exam. Ask what vaccinations and tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, travel plans, medical history, and family health history. Get check-ups and vaccinations. Exams and screenings can help find potential problems before they start. They can also help find health issues early, when the chances for treatment and cure are often times better. Vaccinations help prevent diseases and save lives. Schedule a visit with your health care provider for a yearly exam. Ask what vaccinations and tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, travel plans, medical history, and family health history. Watch the kids. Children are at high risk for injuries. Keep a watchful eye on your kids when they’re eating and playing. Keep potentially dangerous toys, food, drinks, household items, choking hazards (like coins and hard candy), and other objects out of kids' reach. Learn how to provide early treatment for children who are choking. Make sure toys are used properly. Develop and reinforce rules about acceptable and safe behaviors, including electronic media. Prevent injuries. Injuries can occur anywhere and some often occur around the holidays. Use step stools instead of furniture when hanging decorations. Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Wear a bicycle helmet to help pre-vent head injuries. Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or skateboarding to help prevent head injuries. Keep vacci-nations up-to-date. Most residential fires occur during the winter months. Keep candles away from children, pets, walkways, trees, and curtains. Never leave fireplaces, stoves, or candles unattended. Don't use generators, grills, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Test them once a month, and replace batteries twice a year. Eat healthy, and be active. With balance and moderation, you can enjoy the holidays the healthy way. Choose fresh fruit as a festive and sweet substitute for candy. Select just one or two of your favorites from the host of tempt-ing foods. Find fun ways to stay active, such as dancing to your favorite holiday music. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.

Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day

spent in the warm circle of family and friends. ~Margaret Thatcher

11 cases, a fingernail file can open them. Buy

If you normally get an upset stomach while travelling, carry pieces of ginger with you in

you. That way, if you become the victim of a pickpocket, you'll still have your other IDs to

• Wrap Gifts at the Provo Towne Centre during the holiday season

• Work in the Orem or Spanish Fork ReStores Monday through Saturday from 10-6

• Assist with Habitat Recycling efforts. • Graphic designers needed to help with

monthly Daily Herald Ad and other graphic design needs.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT TO SERVE ON COMMITTEES

Volunteers are needed to serve on all of Habitat’s local committees. Monthly meetings, limited time commitment, no experience necessary, varying interests and skills. Look online at www.habitatuc.org/volunteer/committees.html for more information and meeting times.

V o l u n t e e r O p p o r t u n i t i e s DECEMBER BUILD DAYS

Volunteers are currently being sought to help with construction, renovation, critical home repair, and beautification projects. Build days are now held Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Sign up online at www.habitatuc.org/volunteer.

CREW LEADERS AND SITE HOSTS NEEDED TO HELP GUIDE

CONSTRUCTION Volunteers with construction experience or those wanting to improve their construction skills are being sought to participate in the affiliate's Crew Leader and Site Host Programs. Orientations are monthly. The next orientation will be on Satur-day, December 7, 2013, at the Habitat office in

DECEMBER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

For more information, look online at www.habitatuc.org or contact LeAnn at (801) 368-2250 or [email protected]. You can also sign up online at www.habitat.org/volunteer.

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Advanced Window Products Andrea Jensen Annette Hardy Bob Pack BYU American Society of Civil Engineers BYU Bradley PR BYU Construction Management Student As-sociation BYU Habitat for Humanity Chapter BYU Honors 203R Class Dee Perry DOBA.com Dr. Paul Godfrey Gilbert and Stewart IM Flash Technologies Jeremy Andrus Jessie Maughan Kenny Seng Lansing Building Supplies

Thank You Thanks to everyone that helped us to give a “hand up” to families in need in our com-

munity in 2013!

LDS Missionaries-Provo, Utah Mission Mountain West Plumbing Mountainlands Association of Governments Provo Towne Centre Response Marketing Group Randy Hanson Roofers Supply Shiree Thurston Sonya Hess Sunroc TD Ameritrade The Gonzales Family-Spanish Fork The Moreland/Bass Family The Webb Family Utah Commission on Volunteers UVU Habitat for Humanity Chapter UVU Nursing students Women Council of REALTORS

Keep your Christmas-heart open all the year

round. ~Jessica Archmint

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Of Utah County Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3—Development Services —NRI

4 5 6 7

8 9 10—Building Committee 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18—Board/Staff Christ-mas Party

19 20—Executive Committee

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22 23 24 25 26 27 28

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Development Services December 3rd Noon Office NRI December 3rd 3:00 p.m. Office

Building Committee December 10th 2:00 p.m. Central Bank Board/Staff Christmas Party December 18th Noon Office

Executive Committee December 20th 7:30 a.m. Office Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - Office Closed December 24th through January 1st. ReStores Closed December 24th, 25th, 26th, January 1st

Christmas is a time to open our hearts to God and his gifts.

Just like the rest of the year. ~Author Unknown