"font-size: small;">BAY

MINETTE, Ala. — As Baldwin County Habitat For Humanity readies to

open its new Restore in Bay Minette next month, efforts are under

way to stock the Bay Minette facility.

"font-size: small;">To do that,

the organization is seeking donations from the north Baldwin

community.

"font-size: small;">“This is a

chance for people to clear out all the stuff they don’t use any

more,” Habitat Resource Development Manger Sandra Folan said in a

telephone interview.

"font-size: small;">Items

sought include furniture, appliances, building supplies, houseware

items and electronics.

"font-size: small;">“Everything

except clothing and items for children and babies,” Folan

said.

"font-size: small;">The

gently-used items can be dropped off at the Restore 8:30 a.m.-3

p.m. six days per week at the facility that’s located two doors

down from Standard Furniture on Alabama Highway

59.

"font-size: small;">“We’re open

every day except Sunday,” Folan said.

"font-size: small;">For larger

items, donors can call 937-3330 a week in advance, and Habitat will

schedule a pick-upj.

"font-size: small;">“I think

we’re going to be picking up in north Baldwin every Monday,” Folan

said.

"font-size: small;">She

explained that donations will make up 80 percent of the store’s

stock.

"font-size: small;">“We do

purchase some items,” Folan said.

"font-size: small;">According

to the resource-development manager, Habitat Restores serve as the

organization’s largest fundraiser.

"font-size: small;">“A hundred

percent of proceeds raised from this Restore will stay in Baldwin

County,” Folan said.

"font-size: small;">In

addition, donating items to the endeavor ends up helping the

environment.

"font-size: small;">“It keeps

those items out of the landfills,” Folan said, explaining that last

year’s donation to the Summerdale location translated to 162 tons

of items that were kept out of landfills.

"font-size: small;">Plus, the

Habitat Restore will benefit its north Baldwin County

patrons.

"font-size: small;">“It will

give people the opportunity to purchase items they might not

otherwise get to obtain because they have a lower price,” Folan

said.

"font-size: small;">In addition

to donations, Habitat is also seeking volunteers “to help with

renovating the building,” Folan said.

"font-size: small;">While

volunteers are sought from the community, mission groups from

Illinois and other areas have already been at work on the

project.

"font-size: small;">“We are

moving along quickly,” Folan said.

"font-size: small;">In addition

to the volunteers, Habitat is adding three employees at the

location.

"font-size: small;">“We’re

hiring an assistant manager, a warehouse manager and a retail

merchandiser,” Folan said.

"font-size: small;">She pointed

out that it won’t be long before plans for the Habitat Restore come

to fruition.

"font-size: small;">“Our grand

opening is March 3,” Folan said.

"font-size: small;">For more

information, visit 251-937-3330.