Skip to main content

Family Reunion Picnic – 2023

Posted on July 5, 2023

Family Reunion Picnic:

This past month, Fox Cities Habitat gathered at Smith Park on Doty Island in Neenah/Menasha to celebrate 30 years as an affiliate at our Family Reunion Picnic. This annual event normally consists of staff and volunteers, but the invite has now extended to Habitat Homebuyer families.

The picnic gave us a great opportunity to enjoy a meal together while reminiscing and creating new memories. It was a heartwarming celebration of the organization’s enduring commitment to families across the Fox Cities and a wonderful opportunity for past families to reconnect with volunteers that worked on their homes and to catch up with other families.

Getting to celebrate this milestone next to the families we have served was such an extraordinary experience. Erika Bustos, a recent Habitat Homebuyer, reflected on her experiences building her home and the homes of other Habitat families:

“I completely loved it because I had no clue how to work a tape measure or any of that, so I learned so much from everyone. It wasn’t hard to do the hours because you start doing something that you love to do with all the people who look after you and they’re so nice.

It’s something that you can tell your kids, ‘Look, I did this. I built these stairs.’ It’s something that is very meaningful because there’s love that you put into your own home.”

– Erika Bustos, Homebuyer

“We’ve been working hard for 30 years in the Fox Cities, making sure that we can provide affordable homeownership opportunities for families throughout the community. Thank you for being a part of the journey, whether it’s been one year or 30, we are grateful for all that you’ve done.”

– John Weyenberg, CEO

The roots we planted back in 1993 have given us the opportunity to help more families than we could have imagined. We would not be where we are today without the consistent support from our volunteers, staff, homeowners, sponsors, donors, and the community. The selfless dedication and hard work of everyone involved has helped pave the way for brighter futures and stronger communities.

As we look towards the future, our commitment to providing affordable housing opportunities remains unwavering. This picnic served as a reminder of the organization’s accomplishments, and inspired the staff, volunteers, and community to continue their efforts in transforming lives, one nail at a time!

Thank you to everyone who attended – we were blessed with a beautiful evening and a wonderful turnout.

A special thank you to Fox Communities Credit Union for generously sponsoring this event and helping us provide a delicious meal and other supplies for all who attended.

Here’s to 30 more years of building homes, communities, and hope!