Toot's Supports the Habitat for Humanity Families
Posted 2009-03-15 by Lisa Marchesoni of the Murfreesboro Post
Toot's and Demos' restaurants partner to support the Habitat for Humanity families by sponsoring the Whittlemania fundraiser each April.
Murfreesboro
Toot's owner Wade Hays cries every time he attends a Habitat for Humanity dedication of a home for a well-deserved family. "And I don't cry very much," Hays added. Habitat for Humanity helps low-income families build simple, decent homes by partner families and community volunteers. It is sold to the family at no profit with a zero interest mortgage. For example, Hays said good families who suffer unforeseen disabilities may be desperate for housing. At least one family each year moves into a new Habitat home thanks to Hays and the Demos family. Toot's and Demos' restaurants partner to support the Habitat for Humanity families by sponsoring the Whittlemania fundraiser each April. People purchase a $5 ticket in March to redeem for $7 worth of food at Demos’ or Toots. All proceeds of the tickets go to Habitat. "Our goal is to build a Habitat home," Hays said. "I think it's just a fantastic way to raise money for a spectacular organization. It's a win, win, win situation." Hays created and named the event for newspaper columnist Dan Whittle after Whittle told him about a Habitat family in 1994. More than 15 families have moved into Habitat homes funded through Whittlemania. "Dan is so dedicated to helping people," Hays said. "As long as Dan Whittle wants to do this, Toot's does too." Whittle said the fundraiser collects about $18,000 to $20,000 a year toward a Habitat home. Habitat families and community volunteers have built 83 homes in Rutherford County. Four more are under construction on South University Street in Murfreesboro. Hays said Habitat doesn’t just give the house away to families in need because of unforeseen hardships, unexpected injuries or disabilities. Executive director Beth M. Smith of Habitat for Humanity said families start out working on other families’ houses and attend 30 weeks of financial budgeting classes. They must provide sweat equity on their own home by joining volunteers and Habitat’s staff in building their own home. Once completed, they pay a monthly mortgage payment. Hays said Smith and her staff do "a fantastic job for Rutherford County” and help a lot of families. Habitat steps in to help the families work hard to build a home. The families are so appreciative. "You can see first-hand the reward of raising money," Hays said. Especially during the slow economic times, customers are buying blocks of Whittlemania tickets to use during April. Besides the tickets, Toot's raises about $1,000 annually for Habitat with their peppermint houses at the restaurant. Customers drop $1 or 50 cents into the house for a peppermint. "You know every penny is going to Habitat to build a house," Hays said. Rutherford County citizens have blessed Hays and his family, which makes him want to give back for his blessings. "It's doing the right thing," Hays said. "We need to do things like this."
