The Rev. Etheleen Jetton is competing in this year’s Our Towns Habitat for Humanity Biggest Cheese in Town contest, and she’s throwing a Smithville Yard Sale on Saturday as part of her fundraising campaign. Sellers and buyers are invited to join in at the Smithville Community Center.  Read the full story

Rob Bennett raised more than $4,000 for Habitat for Humanity in the contest.

Rob Bennett of Cornelius was the top fund raiser in Our Towns Habitat for Humanity’s Biggest Cheese in Town 2012 competition. The crown was bestowed on Oct. 26 at the “Cheese Ball,” a reception in Cornelius at Kadi Fit.

Mr. Bennett owns My Aloha Paddle Sports and Fitness. He was among 14 contestants in the event, each of whom was trying to raise at least $1,000 for Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Bennett, 45, was able to attract enough donors and sponsors to raise just over $4,000 through two Aloha Cup events. Read the full story

Updated Friday, Sept. 21
The Our Towns Habitat for Humanity ReStore has several fund-raising events in the works, including a $5-a-bag book sale and a yard sale this Saturday to raise money for a trip to Guatamela. (NOTE: The yard sale has been postponed. Please see a list of other upcoming events below.)

The Cornelius ReStore is at 20414 N. Main St. in Cornelius.

For the book sale, shoppers are invited to bring in their reusable green bags from Our Towns Habitat ReStores and fill them up for only $5. If you don’t have a bag, they’ll sell you one and let you fill it with books for $7.50.

Meanwhile, the store, which sells donated used and surplus items, from books to furniture to building supplies, has postponed until a later date Saturday’s planned yard to help raise money for a Global Village Trip to Guatemala.

Our Towns Habitat has listed a variety of other upcoming events:

Here are more upcoming events we are having, along with the flyers:

World Habitat Day: Join us for a day of advocacy and fun! Saturday, September 29th at the Mooresville ReStore from 10 am to 2 pm. Learn about Habitat for Humanity around the world, play games, eat homemade tortillas and visit our Guatemala display! Also have a hotdog, chips, and a drink for lunch while supporting our long-time ReStore volunteer Jack Hart (94 years old) for the Biggest Cheese in Town!

Cornelius Fall Festival: The ultimate family day out! Join us at the Cornelius ReStore on Saturday, October 13th from 10 am to 2 pm to pick pumpkins, enjoy fall crafts, a bounce house, concessions, petting zoo (11 am to 1 pm only) and more! Event to be held in the parking lot, rain or shine, and attendance is FREE! (Activity tickets can be purchased for $1 each and pumpkins priced separately)

Artisan Fair: Are you a Do-It-Yourselfer or just love the arts? Join us at the Mooreville ReStore on Saturday, October 20th from 10am to 2 pm for an Artisan Fair! Local artists and artisans will bring their homemade wares to be on display and for sale! Booths are still available for Artists! Register at the Mooresville ReStore ($20/booth).

Community Shred Event! Keep your business YOUR business on Saturday, November 10th. Both Mooresville and Cornelius ReStores will have Shred South in the parking lot from 11 am to 1 pm for FREE document shredding. Donations are greatly appreciated and please, no businesses.

More information about the ReStore at http://www.ourtownshabitat.org/restore_cornelius.html

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

The Habitat ReStores in Cornelius and Mooresville are looking for volunteers. You can help with sorting, pricing, stocking, cleaning, accepting donations, event planning and more.

For opportunities in Cornelius call Pam at 704-896-8957 ext. 117.

For opportunities in Mooresville call Tammy M. at 704-896-8957 ext. 205.

Competitors in Our Towns Habitat for Humanity’s “Biggest Cheese in Town” contest are hosting events around the area this month to help raise money for the regional housing group. They include a Sept. 21 barbecue lunch at People’s Bank, The Aloha Cup paddle board competition, and a photography show. Read the full story

The United Way of Central Carolinas board Tuesday approved $16.5 million in grants to community organizations around the region, more than half of which are getting more money in the coming year. Funding was continued for the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, Charlotte-area YMCAs, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Centers, Serenity House, United Family Services, and Our Towns Habitat for Humanity. Read the full story

MOORESVILLE – A trio of designers took home awards Tuesday night in Our Towns Habitat for Humanity’s second annual ReStore Restyle design challenge at the Mooresville ReStore. The fundraiser required designers to decorate a 10×10 themed room using items from the Mooresville and Cornelius Habitat ReStores. Photos and a list of winners in REAL ESTATE & HOME»

Our Towns Habitat for Humanity Cornelius ReStore will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with an event called “ReStore ReStored” Saturday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day of family fun and entertainment will show off the newly renovated ReStore on North Main Street. Read the full story

Cornelius businesses this week are gearing up to give back. On Friday, Peoples Bank in Cornelius will be selling hot dogs to raise money for Our Towns Habitat for Humanity, and Davidson Mayor John Woods has issued a friendly hot dog challenge to his counterparts in neighboring towns to see who can get the best turnout from their town. Also Friday, Park Avenue Properties opens its haunted hayride at Latta Equestrian Center. The ride will run on weekends through October, and proceeds will support Kids Reign, a nonprofit that uses horses in therapy for the physically, mentally and learning disabled. See below for details. Read the full story