The premise for Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah’s newest fundraising idea is simple. Patterned after “Flea Market Flip,” the popular reality DIY-TV network game show, the local version, “ReStore Flip Design Challenge,” involves five teams recruited to find secondhand treasures at the Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah ReStore and buy, fix, and flip them for a profit. On Thursday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. the five teams will bring their table, lamp, art work or other re-imagined cast-offs to the ReStore at 835 S. Bluff St. where a live auction will raise funds to help build a home in Washington County for a qualified low-income family. To date, Habitat of Humanity of Southwest Utah has built 21 such homes.
According to Lil Barron, Habitat for Humanity’s director of community engagement and development, the teams comprise Dixie State University President Richard “Biff” Williams with a student team; Spectrum and Daily News Publisher Rhett Long and members of the local newspaper’s Fun Committee; John Ames from ReMax Realty, his wife, and her business partner from BBFrosh and Ideal Distributing; Bonnie Pendleton, known around town as The Plant Lady; and on-air radio personalities Chris, LaRae, and Colleen from Planet 94.1.
“The Re-store Flip is a competition and our team members with creative vision and capabilities want to win both sides of the contest,” said Rhett Long. “Gannett and The Spectrum have always enjoyed supporting Habitat, so this is another way we can do that!”
DSU President Williams agreed. “Community engagement is vitally important to Dixie State University, identified as a major goal of our new strategic plan,” said Williams. “Being involved also is part of our strategy for creating a great ‘University Town.’ Our team is made up of very creative and wonderfully talented art students. My role was to commit the university and then select the faculty member to run with the project.”
There will be two winning teams. One will be recognized for the most project “likes” on Habitat for Humanity’s Facebook page. The second winning team will be the one which generates the most money from the sale of its project.
“We’d really like to have a crowd of Habitat supporters come out for this first ever flipping event,” Barron said. “Come to bid on the projects. Come to see what its all about or just come for the fun. It’s going to be a blast!”
For more information on the ReStore Flip Design Challenge, volunteer opportunities, or information on the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah, call (435) 674-7669.
