Bahamas Habitat

Fire Destroys Haiti Communitere Workshop

Haiti Communitere, formally Grassroots United is an organization with deep roots in the local Haitian community and the international aid community. Bahamas Habitat has a strong history with Haiti Communitere in times of disaster response and long-term development. Bahamas Habitat aids in providing transportation for supplies the organization needs in order to function.  Please read Haiti Communitere’s press release found at the conclusion of this message to learn about the fire that happened on the evening of  May 3rd, 2012.

We feel this tragedy deeply. Much of what we came together to transport for the last three years was trapped in this fire in addition to much more that came from other organizations – medicine, tools, training devices, emergency supplies, etc. The workshop is depended upon daily by the local community.  We believe in the goals this organization strives to realize and want to be of help now in their time of need.

Bahamas Habitat Supporters – Call to Action!

Pilots – take the list that Haiti Communitere compiled to replenish the resource center to your local community and ask them to fill your plane.  Before going to Home Depot, look in your garages and sheds first, give only what you would give as a gift, not discards.  View Home Depot online (log in with email address: info@haiti.communitere.org and password: haitifire; once logged in click on “My List” button on right-hand side). Donations purchased here will be shipped to KFXE and flown to Haiti when there is support to do so. Take care by paying attention to what is wished as we need to always take cues from those with whom we are serving, the community to whom this is given.

Notify us by EMAIL that you are delivering the supplies to Port au Prince and a crew will be able to meet you and unload the supplies. If you can fly your supplies only to KFXE that is still very helpful…let us know.

Non-Pilots – Recruit a pilot, organize those in your community to fill their plane with the instruction given above or, go to Haiti Communitere’s Wishlist through Home Depot and purchase supplies we can deliver (log in with email address: info@haiti.communitere.org and password: haitifire; once logged in click on “My List” button on right-hand side).
These donations will be shipped the address in Ft. Lauderdale.

Banyan Air Service in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (KFXE) will be our depot center and we will direct pilots who can carry more supplies through KFXE. Our Relief Pilots will receive a discount on fuel from Banyan as they are always so kind to us in situations like this.  For now, we need you to gather supplies, fill your planes and join in the relief efforts.

Pilots may receive a tax receipt for their use of their plane and operating costs by submitting a Trip Receipt once the flight is made.

Financial Donations are needed NOW for this relief response.

We could not function without the consistent support of so many.
By Check Mail to: Bahamas Habitat, Treasurer, 103 Dumbarton Court, Cary NC 27511.

Questions – Email (cameron@bahamashabitat.org)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Fire Destroys Haiti Communitere Workshop -
HC Calls for Community Support

On the afternoon of May 3, 2012 a devastating fire broke out in the Haiti Communitere workshop. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the fire was extinguished before it spread. The workshop burned to the ground, destroying over two years of collected tool donations, five 40 foot tool containers, building supplies, medical supplies, and multiple projects in progress, totaling over (more…)

Director of Bahamas Habitat Relief Organization is a Test Case in Ground Breaking Flight Training Study at Redbird Skyport

Redbird Skyport and Bahamas Habitat announced an agreement for Redbird to provide the mission flying organization with a fully sponsored slot in their unique accelerated simulator based private pilot training program. Bahamas Habitat Executive Director Abraham McIntyre, a non-pilot candidate of Bahamas Habitat, is nearing completion of the program to be fully trained and certificated as a Private Pilot in about three to four weeks. Click here to learn more and view McIntyre’s interviews with AOPA Live’s Alyssa Miller about the program .

“We are immensely grateful to Redbird for their generous gift and support for our organization and we are very excited to be able to provide Abraham the opportunity to obtain his Private Certificate,” states John Armstrong, Bahamas Habitat Chairman & President.

“With his Private Pilot Certificate, Abe will be far more effective in his role as Executive Director for the Bahamian side of the mission organization. He has many projects in progress in remote locations that need the transportation solution only GA can provide”, states Steve Merritt, Bahamas Habitat Treasurer and Chief Pilot.

Redbird Skyport and Bahamas Habitat teamed up to give McIntyre the tools to better service the people of the Bahamas and are doing so in a revolutionary way. “Redbird Skyport is an amazingly valuable partner not only for supporting our mission training needs, but also for offering the potential to make aviation available to the wider public,” said Armstrong, who is also a pilot and aviation professional. “Redbird is revolutionizing pilot training and we are very excited about the new potential they are creating and the opportunity to be a part of this program.”

Bahamas Habitat is supported exclusively by the generous contributions of its volunteers and donors You can also make a contribution to Bahamas Habitat via the Bahamas Habitat website.

Beechcraft Baron Donated by Prominent Aviation Professional

May 1, 2012 — Bahamas Habitat (www.bahamashabitat.org) announced today the donation of the Beechcraft Baron E55 N63JL aircraft to the organization by Thierry Pouille, President of Air Journey in Jupiter FL, for use in its Bahamas mission work.

Since 1998, Air Journey Directors have shared their joy of adventure with fellow pilots. They have shown them the joy of flying in their own plane in small groups across the World to destinations such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Canada, Central America, Europe, South America, and many others.

Pouille is the leading force behind Air Journey (www.airjourney.com). He brings in 38 years of flying experience and has more than 25 years of experience in the Travel Industry. He has flown all over the world including the US, most of the Caribbean islands, all of the countries of Central America, many countries in Europe, and parts of South America. He organizes every journey and is attentive to details making sure to focus on safety and the well being of the clients. He is also an avid photographer providing many of the images on the Air Journey website.

Air Journey and the Baron aircraft were first involved with Bahamas Habitat last September following the devastation of Hurricane Irene in The Bahamas. Through the direction of Neil Glazer, from Pilot Mall, they teamed up with Bahamas Habitat to bring supplies and help to the devastated Cat Island.

Prior to the donation, the Baron was the Pouille family aircraft since May 2000. She was used for travel to many beautiful destinations and exciting discoveries. Thierry talks about the tremendous increase in his flying involvement with all of the exotic journeys Air Journey created; therefore, leading to less and less personal aircraft use. “I realized the N63JL was just sitting on the tarmac under the elements being put to no good use” stated Thierry. “I knew from my experience last September that Bahamas Habitat was the perfect new home for her bringing food and supplies to needy people.”

The aircraft is a beautiful 1971 Beechcraft Baron E55 equipped with King KFC 200 Flight Director/Autopilot, HSI, Garmin 430 GPS, VG Kit, Color Radar, Norton Radone, GAMI Injectors, and all stainless screws and fasteners. The airplane made the cover of AOPA Magazine (www.aopa.org) in December 2009, prior to receiving a new paint job in October of that same year.

”The work of our mission will be significantly benefited by this generous donation”, stated John Armstrong, President of Bahamas Habitat. “We are sincerely grateful to Mr. Pouille and look forward to his continued involvement in the work of the ministry and what God has in store.”

“We are extremely excited to accept the generous donation of this aircraft. A veteran of many Bahamian flights, this aircraft participated in our August 2011 Hurricane Irene disaster relief airlift from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas. We intend to continue to utilize this aircraft to serve the needs of the people of the Bahamas and Haiti. We want to thank Thierry Pouille and Air Journey for enabling the continuing service to the people of the Bahamas and Haiti” said Steve Merritt, Bahamas Habitat Treasurer and Chief Pilot.

In related news, Bahamas Habitat was recently named one of twenty finalists in the running for the Lightspeed Aviation Pilot’s Choice Award. The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation is in its third year of partnering with the aviation community to identify and support worthy aviation causes. The top five charities, as chosen by the aviation community, will receive a cash award for no less than $10,000 to help fulfill their mission. Bahamas Habitat needs your VOTE to be selected as a recipient of one of the $10,000 awards and further the work of Bahamas Habitat. Click on the VOTE NOW image below to cast your vote and to view additional information on current Bahamas Habitat projects.

Redbird, Bahamas Habitat donate wings to island missionary
Published: April 2, 2012
Source: Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association Online
By: Alyssa J. Miller

Round trip from Eleuthera Island to a nearby island in the Bahamas could take 11 hours by car and boat, and a daylong meeting on another island could turn into a three-day trip for Bahamas Methodist Habitat Executive Director Abraham McIntyre. Soon, those same trips could be cut to a couple of hours of flight time and allow same-day travel to and from his home base on Eleuthera after an eight-hour meeting on a different island.

He’s working on his private pilot certificate thanks to Redbird Flight Simulations and Bahamas Habitat, the sister organization of Bahamas Methodist Habitat that provides air support for work projects and disaster relief. Redbird donated a $9,500, three- to four-week training slot at its Skyport training facility at San Marcos Municipal Airport in Texas to Bahamas Habitat. The U.S.-based nonprofit organization has been recognized by the National Aeronautic Association for its quick response times after natural disasters in Haiti.

Bahamas Habitat selected McIntyre for the training because he is based on the islands and could respond after a disaster before pilots from the United States can get to the Bahamas. It also would allow McIntyre to travel more efficiently to meetings, to pick up tools and supplies for mission groups, and to help others on less frequented islands.

Josh Harnagel, marketing director of Redbird Skyport, told AOPA Online that the company “didn’t want to give to someone who couldn’t immediately put it to use.” Bahamas Habitat believes McIntyre is the perfect fit. (more…)

We are excited to share with you that Bahamas Habitat has been selected as one of twenty finalist in the Lightspeed Aviation Foundation’s Pilot’s Choice Award Finalist. Now we need your VOTE to be selected as a recipient of one of the $10,000 awards and further the work of Bahamas Habitat.

Bahamas Habitat promotes and develops servant leaders with a global world view by providing educational, economical, community and spiritual development programs that improve the lives of the Bahamians. The organization supports home repair and disaster relief work while introducing pilots to mission flying opportunities in The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Bi-annual Fly-In & Help Out Events promote mission experiences for pilots, aircraft owners, volunteers and aviation organizations in the US and Canada. Consider joining us for the next mission planned for Oct. 25-28, 2012.

Bahamas Habitat also took the lead in raising funds and recruiting volunteers to build the Zion Children’s Home for abandoned and abused children on Current Island in The Bahamas. The Children’s Home is scheduled to open its doors in the very near future to provide 16 children with a safe place to grow, learn and experience love, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

The organization’s newest and very exciting project is the start of a Skills Training Center to be located on the Bahamas Methodist Habitat Camp Symonette site in James’ Cistern, Eleuthera. A recently donated warehouse will be used to to establish this vocational training center that is designed to give the Bahamians marketable construction trade skills. The target population for the Center is anticipated to be at risk youth within the community. Bahamas Habitat has already begun coordinating plans to prepare the new site, relocate and redesign the structure for its future destination and purpose. This promises to be a very exciting program and you are invited to get involved.

The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation is in its third year of partnering with the aviation community to identify and support worthy aviation causes.

All supporters and aviation enthusiasts are invited to vote in the Pilot’s Choice Awards. The top five charities, as chosen by the aviation community, will receive a cash award for no less than $10,000 to help fulfill their mission.

Bahamas Habitat is supported exclusively by the generous contributions of its volunteers and donors  You can also make a contribution to Bahamas Habitat via the Bahamas Habitat website.

BahamaIslandsInfo.com recently featured the February Bahamas Habitat Fly-In and Help Out event on their web site. The post commends the fantastic volunteer pilots who came together to make a difference while gaining valuable flight experience.

Private pilots join Bahamas Methodist Habitat
Fly-In and Help Out
Published: Wednesday, 22 February 2012 18:40
Source: www.bahamaislandsinfo.com

ELEUTHERA, Bahamas — 14 private planes swarmed Governor’s Harbour Airport (MYEM) via Showalter Air in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, February 16th, 2012 for the 10th Bi-annual Bahamas Habitat Fly-In and Help Out event. The volunteer pilots and crew flew in their services to Eleuthera residents affected by Hurricane Irene in partnership with Bahamas Methodist Habitat (BMH) based at Camp Symonette in James Cistern. (more…)

Zion Children’s Home started as a dream more than a year ago. Completion of the first two cottages is eminent. The home will offer a haven to 16 abused or orphaned children. These children will be provided with a safe place to grow, learn and experience love, perhaps for the first time in their lives.

Zion Children’s Home is registered Bed Bath & Beyond! You can help us furnish the kitchen by purchasing items from our registry wish list. From the main Bed Bath & Beyond website (www.bedbathandbeyond.com), find our page under gift registries using First Name: Zion – Last Name: Children. Basic household items ordered are then mailed to Orlando and delivered to Showalter Flying Service. From there Bahamas Habitat planes will transport it directly to North Eleuthera for delivery to Current Island.

Give a gift for the children today. And pass on our registry site to your friends.

With the children’s home in the final stages of preparation for the grand opening, it’s not too late to get involved make a difference in the lives of the children who need YOU!

Volunteers Learn How Mission Flights Are Rewarding & Fun

February 2, 2012 — Bahamas Habitat (www.bahamashabitat.org) announced today that pilots will be flying to Eleuthera, in February to complete the final stages of a home for abused children. The semi-annual Fly In & Help Out Event, to be held on Thursday, February 16^th through Sunday, February 19^th 2012, serves as an introduction to international mission flying and provides hands on experience with ongoing projects in The Bahamas. All pilots are invited to join us for this special event to hone their international mission flying skills. Typically, over 40 people in more than a dozen aircraft make the trip. The Bahamas Habitat said they expect this event to be even larger due to the excitement surrounding finishing the children’s home.

Construction of the Zion Children’s Home on Current Island began in the fall of 2010 because of the dream of two sisters who wanted to help many abused children.  Thanks to generous support from faithful Bahamas Habitat donors and the local Bahamas church and government, the dream is becoming a reality. Volunteer pilots at the February Fly-In & Help Out Event will transport supplies and focus efforts on completing the first 2 buildings of the children’s home to provide care and safety for 16 abused or orphaned children.

With the children’s home in the final stages of preparation for the grand opening, it’s not too late to get involved. Supplies are still needed to furnish the kitchen. A gift registry was set up at Bed Bath & Beyond using the first name, Zion and last name, Children with instructions on how to ship the purchased items directly to a Bahamas Habitat Florida hub for transport during the upcoming Fly-In & Help Out Event. (more…)

“While on location in The Bahamas working on an AOPA story for their magazine, the folks at AOPA contacted us and offered to fly a load of supplies in their Cessna Caravan” states John Armstrong, President of Bahamas Habitat. “They have been very supportive and interested in our progress on the Children’s Home project.”

The AOPA pilot for the flight was Luz Beattie, accompanied by Woody Cahall, Vice President Pilot Information Center and photographer Chris Rose. The group flew to Showalter Flying Service-KORL in Orlando, FL, where they picked up supplies for Zion Children’s Home and Bahamas Methodist Habitat (BMH). Gene and Katherine Zimmerman met them there and loaded supplies along with Pilot Luz. “The Showalter staff was a great help with loading and transporting items to the plane” said Katherine Zimmerman. The Children’s Home supplies included kitchen items purchased through the Zion Children gift registry at Bed Bath & Beyond. They dropped off all of the items at N. Eleuthera airport where they were met by Osbourn Weech, contractor for the Zion Home, and Abe McIntyre of BMH. Abe and Osbourn transported the supplies to their work sites.

Many thanks to Luz, Woody and Chris for their direct involvement in this project. Your efforts will benefit many children. Thanks also goes out to the AOPA organization and their continued involvement with Zion Children’s Home and Bahamas Habitat. We look forward to the possibility of partnering with you for future missions to aid the people of The Bahamas.

The first phase of the Zion Children’s Home Project construction is nearing completion! A team will be traveling to Eleuthera February 16-19^th with the intent of putting the finishing touches on the first 2 cottages. Upon completion, the home will provide a safe haven for 16 children seeking refuge from abuse and/or neglect.

Your support is needed to finish the Children’s Home! You can purchase a household item at our Bed Bath & Beyond gift registry (First Name-Zion, Last Name-Children) and have it shipped to the designated delivery point or make a monetary donation through the Bahamas Habitat website.

“ Bahamas Habitat has received the very generous gift of a terrific Piper Aztec aircraft in excellent airworthy condition,” announced Steve Merritt, Chief Pilot and Treasurer of Bahamas Habitat. He went on to say, “This gift of an aircraft by a supporter in Minnesota reflects the gratitude that we all feel for the blessing of being involved in this mission.”

Walt and Raeanna Gislason of Willmar, Minnesota made this generous contribution in order to enable the mission to provide logistical support for disaster relief in the islands of the Bahamas and Haiti.  Walt Gislason said, “After my wife, Raeanna and I read about the excellent work that Bahamas Habitat is doing, we thought we could be of assistance by donating this aircraft that would be better used in their mission work.”

Bahamas Habitat has used donated aircraft over the last two years to provide logistical support for people and supplies to support disaster relief efforts from the earthquake in Haiti in January and February of 2010, and more recently to help alleviate the suffering from the effects of Hurricane Irene in the Bahamas.  When there aren’t disasters to respond to the organization uses the planes to support ongoing building projects in the Bahamas like the building of a Children’s Home on Current Island and in support of their main base camp on Eleuthera.

Attention Aircraft Owners: It Is Not Too Late—It is not too late to consider the donation of your aircraft to Bahamas Habitat to take advantage of full deductibility on 2011 tax returns. If you know of anyone who might be interested in aiding the disaster relief program of Bahamas Habitat, there are significant tax advantages to doing so.

In order to take advantage of the tax deduction, the donation must be made before January 1, 2012.  Please contact Steve Merritt at 919-280-5510 or treasurer@bahamashabitat.org.  He will provide you and your tax advisor with advice on how to create an extremely mutually beneficial situation based on the gift of an aircraft.

“Donating an aircraft is quick and easy and generates real money for the donor in the form of reduced taxes or refunds, so it can be a very viable solution for owners wishing to sell or dispose of their aircraft and get an immediate return.” states John Armstrong, President of Bahamas Habitat.

Bahamas Habitat is currently conducting its year-end online fund raising campaign (see: www.bahamashabitat.org.) where donors can make pledges of cash, future payments or vehicles such as aircraft. Funds benefit the operation of the mission and for the completion of the Children’s Home on Current Island.

The organization is hosting its next “Fly-In & Help Out” event February 16^th – 19^th, 2012. Pilots and volunteers interested in becoming involved in flying missions with Bahamas Habitat should sign up at www.bahamashabitat.org to receive the Fly-In & Help Out event information. This will put them on the mission notice email list.