Home is the Key with Habitat for Humanity

This post is sponsored by Habitat for Humanity. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Home is truly my favorite place to be. While I love taking a trip or spending a night at a luxurious hotel {that’s my love language!}, home is where I want to spend my days, surrounded by the people I adore. One of my favorite spots in my home is my colorful gathering room and I want to give you a little tour today!

When I moved into this home last fall, this room was being used as a family room. It sits in the back of the house, joining onto the kitchen, and as soon as I saw the space, I knew I wanted to transform it from a family room into a gathering room. I had the carpet replaced with floors, installed a new light fixture to replace the fan, and turned this spot into a place where friends and family can gather for long meals, holiday celebrations, and regular old weekdays.

I wanted my family to be surrounded by bright colors and feel happy in this room.

Our gathering room is truly a place I love, full of eclectic items and brimming over with my colorful, whimsical, vintage style.

There are cozy places to sit and do homework or work on the laptop …

… we can warm up with a cup of cocoa or coffee by the kitchen fireplace {one of my very favorite things!} …

… or take a seat by the window and have a chat with someone working in the kitchen.

This room is filled with treasures I love like my vintage island, vintage Thermoses, and old rolling pins …

… but the greatest treasures are my people: friends and family that come in, pull up a seat, and stay awhile.

I love my home and I feel so fortunate that I have a home I can afford.  But did you know that millions of Americans don’t have a safe, affordable place to call home?  One in four households in the United States pays more than 30% of their income for housing which can make it difficult to afford necessities like food and clothing.  And virtually nowhere in the United States can a full-time employee earning minimum wage afford a one-bedroom apartment.  Even two minimum wage jobs won’t rent a two-bedroom apartment in 29 states and the District of Columbia. That means a lot of Americans don’t have a place to call their own.

This is where Habitat for Humanity steps in!  Over the past forty years, Habitat for Humanity has built thousands of homes in the United States and around the world, making a difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.  Habitat is one of the biggest affordable housing providers, building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

This month, Habitat for Humanity is launching its second annual Home is the Key campaign, Habitat’s national cause initiative to address the affordable housing crisis. And they’re joining forces with the Scott Brothers {Property Brothers!} to build two brand new homes alongside Habitat homeowners and volunteers!

The campaign launched on April 2nd, in Nashville, Tennessee, as the Scott Brothers raised the walls on two new homes for local families. This campaign will continue all month long.

I loved volunteering with Habitat for Humanity last year {a bucket list item for me!} and this year you can help too!

There are three ways to get involved:

DONATE

Visit the Habitat for Humanity website to make a donation {click on that link to take you straight to the site}. Even the smallest donations add up. Can you imagine what the impact would be if every Dukes and Duchesses reader donated just five dollars?  We can change the lives of families!

SHOP

Habitat for Humanity has partnered with the following stores and you can help the cause just by shopping!

At Home Stores: In addition to featuring Habitat as the register fundraiser throughout April, At Home will sell specialty patio umbrellas and spring coaster sets in store to give back to Habitat.

Chico’s FAS: Donate in-store or online at any of the Chico’s FAS brands mentioned below, in addition to purchasing specialty products that give back at each store:

• Chico’s: Every sale of the basic essential slub tee from April 1 – May 31 will support Habitat.
• White House Black Market: Proceeds from every Comfort Stretch Ankle Pant sold April 23-May 31 will go to Habitat.
• Soma Intimates: From April 23-May 31, each Cool Night Pajama separate sold will support Habitat.

O’Cedar: From April 1 – June 15, O’Cedar will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity for every ProMist® Max spray mop sold.

Kum & Go Convenience Stores: 10 cents of every specially marked water bottle sold will be donated to Habitat, and customers will have the opportunity to donate additional funds at checkout.

Now you have a great reason to go shopping {wink}!

SHARE

You can also help out by using your social media for good!

Nissan will donate $1 every time #HomeIsTheKey is shared on social media in April.

Building on an 18-year partnership with Habitat, Schneider Electric will promote the Home is the Key campaign and drive donations through its social channels throughout the month.

I love that so many companies {including HGTV and iHeart} are rallying around to support this cause and I love even more that it’s so simple for us to get involved!

And you can get a little something too!

Be sure to follow my instagram for the chance to win a product swag bag from the sponsors listed above!

Let’s band together and help families build homes!