Friday, July 10, 2009 @ 3:14:00 PM - Written by Robin Cooper, Development Officer

What started off as a way to give back to the community by simply helping other struggling local businesses in the Bend community, has now taken on a life of its own! On Saturday, July 11, 2009 'Give Back to Bend ' will team up with Bend Area Habitat for Humanity at 61246 Blakely Road from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help with some sweat equity for a single mom and her 2 year old daughter.

The 'Give Back to Bend ' concept is the brain child of Cascade View Home Inspections who was looking for a way to help fellow local businesses in the Bend building & real estate industries--for free. David Baillargeon, owner of Cascade View Home Inspections (CVHI) gives up to 500 house-shaped boxes to his clients each year, where inside sits coupons for services from over fifty local businesses in our area. Now, with the addition of the Mill Quarter Design District Give Back to Bend Box, the concept has grown to about seventy businesses in town.

So, it seemed logical that as the 'Give Back to Bend Box ' concept expanded, it would mean 'giving back ' to our community in other ways too. Enter in Bend Area Habitat for Humanity.

I am continually amazed how our community comes together to work with Habitat and our families. We can't do it without all of you!

This event is open to the public. Volunteers will be landscaping, painting, insulating and more!

Habitat families purchase these homes from Habitat with a 20-year no interest, no profit loan through Habitat. The families are also required to volunteer 400-600 hours of 'sweat equity' on Habitat homes. 100-150 of the sweat equity hours can be donated by friends and family.

Join us and donate your volunteer hours to a family!