A sellout crowd once again attended Macomb County Habitat for Humanity Women’s Luncheon held recently.

“The Women’s Luncheon is one of the community’s favorite events, and mine too,” said Helen Hicks, president and CEO of Macomb Habitat.

It’s one of the nonprofit’s biggest fundraisers.

This year’s event raised a whopping $32,000 for the nonprofit that aims to make housing affordable for everyone.

But that’s not the only reason it sells out every year.

It’s also held annually in the spring and provides an opportunity for business and community leaders, aspiring entrepreneurs and chamber members to catch up on what’s been going on all winter or exchange ideas for the future. For those who don’t know about Habitat it’s also a chance to gather information about how to become a homeowner or what a donation means to a family.

Sharing her story at Zucarro’s Banquet and Catering in Chesterfield Township about becoming a Habitat homeowner this year was Sophia Turner of St. Clair Shores.

“It brings together leadership from every sector and city resulting in a networking extravaganza and unrestricted revenue for Macomb County Habitat for Humanity,” said Hicks, who announced her new book, “The God Nudge,” featuring a collection of true and inspiring stories being released soon.

FYI

Attending fundraisers like the Women’s Luncheon or volunteering to help with a build are among the ways people can help to support Macomb County Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide affordable housing to members of the community.

Supporting Habitat’s ReStore is another way to support the cause.

“In the past, volunteer groups wanted to focus on builds, but now, because home inventory is lean, they enjoy helping out at the store. Through their hours of loving attention, they adopt aisles and maintain them.”

A recent example is Green Mitten Chem Dry.

The carpet and tile cleaning business donated an entire Sunday to stripping, polishing, and resurfacing the floor in the store’s furniture room,” Hicks said. “Others simply like to host furniture drives to bolster product intake.”

St. Peter’s Catholic Church and De La Salle High School contributed to the stock at the ReStore by hosting furniture drives that encouraged their parishioners and parents to donate items to fill the nonprofit’s box truck.

“The store, which raises money for rehabs, new builds, and critical home repairs, is constantly evolving and meeting the needs of the community,” Hicks said.

A few other easy ways to help might include:

• Host your own furniture drive: Invite your church or civic group to do some spring cleaning and donate the items to Macomb Habitat. Then bring them to the store or call Habitat and they will arrange for pick up. We can also make arrangements to leave a truck on site for larger donated items.

• Spread the work: Invite Macomb County Habitat for Humanity to do a presentation for your group. Hicks or other members of her team including the development director can make arrangements to speak to your group at no cost.

• Adopt an aisle or room at the ReSTore: Recently, former partner families from Macomb County Habitat, decided to adopt the tool aisle at the Shelby store. Their job is to meet at the store, clean and organize that aisle, and make sure it is stocked.

• Donate items to the ReStore: Individuals can also donate items on their own. What’s most needed are gently used couches, chairs, appliances, kitchenware, tables, outdoor furniture and yard items.

The Habitat ReStore is at 46660 Van Dyke Ave, in Shelby Township. Store hours: Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information visit macombhabitat.org/.