Curves member donate to Habitat homeowner

Each year, Curves of St. Charles and its members make a charitable donation to a nonprofit organization.

This year, they decided to do something a little different when one of their members suggested selecting Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley as the beneficiary organization. It was then the idea of adopting a kitchen for a new Habitat homeowner came to fruition.

"The adopt-a-kitchen idea won a unanimous vote with the members," said Jeanine Fitzmaurice of Curves of St. Charles.

"In October 2007, Curves members started working on the donation, and as members came into work out we talked about various kitchen utensils we have, need or wish we had, and a rather large list was created.

"As usual, the members at the St. Charles Curves were very generous and everything was bought on this list," Fitzmaurice said.

Money was collected for new dishes and one of the members was able to apply her 75 percent discount toward a place setting for six and side pieces of Spode china for the new Habitat homeowner. At the last minute, Royal China donated all of the china, a $600 value.

Curves of St. Charles met with the new homeowner, Rosie Garcia, and presented her with their donation of kitchen items.

"I have everything I could possibly need for my new kitchen," Garcia said. "I simply don't know how to thank Curves of St. Charles and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley for not only making owning a house a reality, but for also helping to make it a home."

"Every one of us was so excited to share in her new beginnings. She was so genuine and grateful, and the members of Curves of St. Charles wish her the best of luck in her new home," Fitzmaurice said.

For information on Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley and its programs, visit www.hfhnfv.org.