Fox Valley habitat group raffling special trip

Have you always wanted to take an international trip that included some kind of volunteerism? Well now is the opportunity you've been waiting for. Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is raffling a once-in-a-lifetime trip to participate in the 2009 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Thailand, taking place in November. For a week of working together, the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project will unite volunteers and families in need of decent, affordable housing in five countries including the main site in Thailand.

"We are excited to be able to offer this once in a lifetime trip to someone interested in helping build affordable housing for those in need," said Barbara Beckman, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley. "This will truly be a life changing experience."

Raffle tickets are $50 and a total of 500 will be sold. The trip for two includes round-trip airfare, meals and lodging as supplied by the work project. The raffle winner will be announced at Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley's annual fundraiser, the Dream Builder's Soiree. The winner need not be present.

There are three ways to enter the raffle: calling (847) 836-1432; sending a check to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley, 20 S. Grove St., Suite 201, Carpentersville, IL 60110; or on the Web at www.hfhnfv.org.

The fundraiser is Habitat's largest. On Saturday, March 14, Habitat will hold the fourth annual Dream Builder's Soiree at Geimer's Greenhouse in Long Grove. The theme is "Building Green Locally with a Global Impact." This year, Habitat is building its first energy-efficient home in the area. Attendees of the Soiree help raise funds for the local "green build" as well as honor Habitat's global effort through the raffle of the trip to the 2009 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The proceeds of the raffle and the auction will go toward building the energy efficient home.

For information about the raffle tickets for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Cater Work Project and the Dream Builder's Soiree, call (847) 836 1432 or visit www.hfhnfv.org.