HFHS was organized under the leadership of Dr. Rick McClatchy, then pastor of University Baptist Church, in the summer of 1994. The group incorporated, elected a Board of Directors and was granted Affiliate status on June 1, 1995 with HFH International.

Prior to receiving Affiliate status, volunteers painted five houses for Shawnee citizens and repaired a number of others. Once approved as an Affiliate, fund raising and construction planning began in earnest. The first project was an existing house that had to be completely gutted before reconstruction began.

Since then, all houses have been new construction. A total of ten homes have been provided for partner families. In addition, Habitat volunteers during summer 1998 worked with the Shawnee Community Development office and painted ten homes.

          One of the early homes built was in honor of the father of Wade Hayes, country music entertainer from Bethel. Hayes, Wal-Mart and Sony, Inc. provided $40,000 for its construction and Hayes came to Shawnee for its dedication. Habitat received wide public recognition as a result of this gift and a concert given by Hayes at the Shawnee Expo Center.

           In 1999 another house was funded by a gift from John and Gloria Slavens. The W. P. Wood Trust, a local organization, also made a major gift to HFHS during its early years. White Lumber Company has donated numerous materials and sells additional materials to Habitat at cost.

 The annual Fiesta Dinner was begun in March 1997 to raise funds and publicize the work of Habitat. Other donations have come from Shawnee individuals, churches and businesses.

           Moving forward. An eleventh partner family has been selected. The family has over 100 hours of sweat equity completed and construction of their home will begin soon. Two additional building sites have been given, and the Family Selection Committee has approved the twelfth family.

                                                                          

Posted 2/9/09

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1994:

Incorporation:
In July 1994, Habitat for Humanity of Shawnee incorporated and elected its first volunteer board of directors.  The board helped to coordinate a community Paint Pals project to paint the homes of low-income homeowners.

1995:

Affiliate Status:
In June 1995, Habitat for Humanity International granted the Shawnee organization affiliate status.

1997:

• First Fiesta Dinner:
  The affiliate raised over $4,300 thanks to 190 volunteers who cooked and served 750 Habitat supporters.
• First house (renovation), North Broadway
  Donors and volunteers from throughout the community provided the funds, supplies and labor for this house.

1998:

Second house, North Market:
Country music entertainer and Bethel OK native Wade Hayes partnered with Wal-Mart and Sony, Inc. to provide the $40,000 for construction materials for this house which was completed in July 1998.

1999:

Third house, West Franklin:
The price of the lot was donated by Tom and Phyllis Flora.  Over 1800 volunteer hours were devoted by churches, schools, individuals, and the partner family to complete this house in December 1999.

2000:

Fourth house, North Market:
Gloria Slavens and her late husband John donated the funds to build this house.

2002:

Fifth house, East 11^th Street:
Completed in March, 2002.  Several OBU athletic teams provided volunteers.

Sixth house, South Park:
Gordon Cooper Technology Center Residential and Commercial Construction students got this house "in the dry."

2003:

The 7^th Annual Habitat Fiesta Dinner & Silent Auction:
The 2003 Fiesta generated over $8,000 bringing the total amount of Fiesta proceeds since 1997 to $55,000.

2004:

Seventh house, East Wayne

Habitat becomes a member of the Greater Shawnee Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tenth Anniversary of Habitat for Humanity of Shawnee, Ok.

2005:

• Eighth House started, North Union

2006:

• Eighth House finished, North Union
• Ninth House Started, South Osage

2007

• Ninth House Finished, South Osage
• Tenth House Finished, South Pottenger

2009

• Annual Habitat Fiesta Dinner & Silent Auction
• 11th home started, on Shamrock Ct.

2010

•  Annual Habitat Fiesta Dinner & Silent Auction
• 12th home started, on Emerald Ct.
  

Posted 4/25/2010