(August 2019). The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) just completed a week-long volunteer experience with Habitat for Humanity Choptank. Each day during the week of August 19, CBMM staff worked on Habitat Choptank houses under construction in the Brooks Lane neighborhood in St. Michaels.

Discussions between Habitat Choptank and CBMM began in early summer on how the two organizations could partner. Early on, CBMM made clear that they wanted to give back and support their St. Michaels community in an impactful way.

“Our staff jumped at the opportunity to be able to give back,” said Liz LaCorte, CBMM’s Vice President of Advancement. “CBMM is dedicated to making our resources available to all, and we see that working in tandem with Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to provide affordable housing for the local community.”

“We’re also thrilled to be able to provide CBMM memberships for the future owners of four new Habitat houses in St. Michaels,” LaCorte said. “We hope these families visit our campus often and feel just as home there as they do in their new residences.”

Habitat Choptank broke ground on the Brooks Lane neighborhood in St. Michaels in September 2018, initiating the development of seven quality, durable and energy-efficient homes. Infrastructure work is now completed and the first four homes are underway in various stages of development. The first homebuyer, Duval Mills will move into his new home this fall.

“Our volunteers are critical to the work we do, allowing us to build more homes for hard-working families,” said Habitat Choptank Executive Director, JoAnn Hansen. “We are thrilled with the spirit of generosity at CBMM and are blown away with the paid day of service they provided their employees to volunteer with us. The fact they also are providing CBMM memberships means they are helping to integrate the Habitat homebuyers into the community. What an amazing way to welcome them to St. Michaels!”

For more information about how you or your organization can volunteer with Habitat Choptank or donate to the development of the Brooks Lane neighborhood, contact us at 410-476-3204 or info@habitatchoptank.org.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) just completed a week-long volunteer experience with Habitat for Humanity Choptank. Each day during the week of August 19, CBMM staff worked on Habitat Choptank houses under construction in the Brooks Lane neighborhood in St. Michaels. (Photo courtesy of Tim Poly)

About Habitat Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made home ownership possible for 86 families and has completed critical health and safety repairs in partnership with over 181 qualifying homeowners. At present, 9 homes are under construction in Dorchester and Talbot Counties. Income qualifying homebuyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s project inventory. After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its homeownership and repair programs throughout the year. For more information, to make a donation that benefits our local community, or volunteer, call 410-476-3204 or visit HabitatChoptank.org.