May 10, 2005

Habitat applicant get unexpected gift
JohnsonRauhoff Donates Clothing Used in Photo Shoots to Habitat

By LYNN STEVENS / H-P Staff Writer
BENTON HARBOR -- Sometimes just one person's idea can make a big impact on Harbor Habitat for Humanity, the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.

When the St. Joseph advertising agency JohnsonRauhoff decided to donate more than $15,000 worth of clothing left over from photo shoots, executive administrator Sheri Gibson suggested giving it to Harbor Habitat for Humanity.

"We had a lot of people who wanted us to sell the clothes to make money," said Mike Green, executive director of Harbor Habitat. "I think it's better not to try to make money every time we get a gift."

Together, Harbor Habitat officials and JohnsonRauhoff decided to give vouchers for the clothing to applicants for Harbor Habitat homes. The first vouchers were passed out Saturday at an orientation for people who want to become partner families with Harbor Habitat.

They were good for two complete outfits including shoes for every child and adult in a family, and they were welcomed by the 35 working families who need every penny they earn.

"They were pretty excited about the clothes," Green said. "They even applauded when it was announced."

Harbor Habitat staff announced the gifts after families had listened to the formal presentation about the Habitat program and after they had filled out applications. Green kept the gifts secret to avoid having people attend the orientation strictly for handouts.

Some people who already have been selected as partner families for the 12-15 houses Harbor Habitat will build this year worked with JohnsonRauhoff employees to process the hundreds of pieces of clothing before Saturday's orientation. The work counted toward their required hours of "sweat equity." All partner family adults must agree to put in more than 200 hours of work on the construction of their own homes and on other Habitat work in order to be accepted into the program.

There were 340 pairs of shoes, more than 300 pairs of pants, and 300 shirts and sweaters for men, women and children. There was business attire and maternity wear.

"We shoot people who wear real sizes, not just model sizes," said Rob Regovich, photo studio manager for JohnsonRauhoff. "There's a fair amount in plus sizes, too."

Regovich said the advertising agency accumulates all sizes not only because they shoot pictures for clothing ads, but because they also have to dress models for non-clothing ads, such as ads for trucks and cars. They also buy clothing to complement items that are featured in ads.

"If a clients sends us pants to shoot, we need to match that with a shirt, and if they send us a shirt, we need to match that with a pair of pants." Regovich said. "When somebody's shopping (for a shoot), they're not going to buy a single pair of pants. They're going to buy three or four.

"We also buy several options for truck manufacturers, auto manufacturers and any of the other myriad of products we shoot. Any time there's a person in an ad, we have to buy clothes to prop the person."

The clothing was all hardly worn, if it was worn at all. Gibson said many items still had the sales tags attached. Regovich said the items that had been worn were on models for perhaps 30 minutes.

"I feel it's a good opportunity for the families," said Nicole Brooks, whose Harbor Habitat house on McAlister is almost completed. "They're doing a real nice thing."

Tyra Allen left Milwaukee with her six children after her divorce. She is looking forward to moving into the family into a clean, safe, sound house in Benton Township when it is finished later this year.

"I have five girls and one boy," Allen said. "(The clothing gift is) a blessing from the skies. I thank God for people like this.

"It's hard when you're a single parent. I have a job (she is head cashier at Lowe's), but I still have to get things for them one at a time. I have to tell them 'You'll get yours this week, yours will have to wait until next week, yours will be the week after.'"

JohnsonRauhoff president Jackie Huie said all her employees felt privileged to offer Harbor Habitat the support.

"We encourage all local businesses to look for ways in which they, too, can get involved," Huie said.