Each ReStore has a Truck Load of Quality Wood Species ready for the Hobbiest or the Mill-shop.  

Basswood, Soft and Hard Maple, Hickory, and Red Oak

All with thickness up to 2 inches.

It is true that, if you do not really have a lot of time on your hands due to your hectic schedule, it may be easier to find a professional. However, if time is not an issue for you, then this website can teach you all you need to know about how to install a toilet, just as well as any professional could.

Since the materials needed and the toilet itself do not always come cheap, why should you spend extra money on a contractor? All the information you need before you can install a toilet is just around the corner. At the same time, even if you do decide to hire a contractor, then you can make sure that he does not rip you off, as long as you are familiar with the basics of plumbing.   MORE

“You never know what you will find.”

Many individuals know of the Habitat for Humanity program.  Former president Jimmy Carter highlighted the program during the mid-1980s due to his volunteer work in building houses for families which otherwise could not afford to own a home without community support. Simply put, the Habitat for Humanity program is designed to make it possible for low income families in substandard housing to own their own homes, purchased with a combination of “sweat equity,” volunteer time and donated materials and labor to lower the costs of constructing a house.

Founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife, Linda, Habitat for Humanity is a nondenominational Christian ministry that meets the universal need of all people for decent shelter. The Fullers called their vision “the theology of the hammer.”

Since its inception, Habitat has built more than 350,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.75 million people in 3000 communities with safe, decent and affordable shelter.

But in order for the hammer to do the work of building hope for a better future here in Northern Virginia, a Habitat for Humanity ReStore provides the means of making the dream of home ownership a reality.

The Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia  ReStore recycles overstocked, discontinued, new and gently used items donated by manufacturers, stores, contractors and individuals.  These items are sold to the public or used in Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia home construction.  Revenue from sales helps the local Habitat affiliate in support of its home building program.

The Northern Virginia affliate runs two ReStores, one in Chantilly and one in Alexandria.  Although the stores do not present a brightly painted storefront, they do offer customers a wide variety of home improvement products at greatly discounted prices.

“Everything is accepted – including the kitchen sink,” added Herb Campbell, ReStore District Manager.  ”Everything from dining room furniture and lighting fixtures to plumbing, paint and appliance is available”.

Habitat ReStore is almost entirely volunteer run – volunteers are the heart and soul of the ReStores. Each volunteer possesses different skills and experiences. The ReStore volunteer duties include, cashier, accepting donations, cleaning, pricing and stocking donated items and most important, customer service!

As an added benefit, the store’s ability to save, sell or reuse unwanted materials keeps unwanted items out of local landfills. The ReStores provide an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials out of the waste stream while providing funding for Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia’s community improvement work.

“Every dollar spent at the ReStores keep a pound of waste out of local landfills,” commented Rachel Crowley, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia Marketing and Communications Manager.

“We’re kind of a box of chocolates here; you never know what you’ll get,” said Rachel with a smile. “Our slogan isMiss a Day…Miss a Deal.  Things come in and out so quickly, visiting the store is always a new experience.”

The proceeds from the store helped the Habitat for Humanity program reach its fiscal year goal of building 4 homes and 4 Brush with Kindness exterior builds.

The Habitat for Humanity Store is a 501c (3) non-profit organization, so donations are tax deductible.

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.  The ReStore will be open on Saturday, December 24 (9am – 1pm) and Saturday, December 31 (9am – 3pm) for any last minute year-end donations.

Donations are encouraged; pick-up is available. And yes, volunteers are always needed.

LINK:  Donate to Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
LINK:  DONATE MATERIALS to the ReStore
LINK:  Directions to ReStore 

Friday, December 2^nd we had a wonderful group of Capital One volunteers at the Chantilly ReStore. These energetic volunteers were in all sections of the Chantilly ReStore  organizing, stocking, cleaning, assisting customers and accepting donations! Thank you Capital One!

Chantilly High School students

The Habitat ReStore staff supports Chantilly High School curriculum by giving students that “real world” work experience. Through this partnership students are taught team work, time and task management, customer service and self presentation skills.

Participating students are enrolled in one of the two Chantilly High School Special Education Career Classes: (WAT) Work Awareness and Transition, or (EFE) Education for Employment and Career and Transition Services. Both classes incorporate Work Based Learning approach focused on career exploration, career assessment and work-related training.

The Education for Employment (EFE) class is taught by Karen Beers, Sheryl Perez, Kevin Ford and Patti Caplan. The class focus is teaching students work readiness skills, communication skills and self advocacy. The Work Awareness and Transition (WAT) Class is taught by Michele Bechtel. WAT is a middle and high school elective course where students develop career goals based on interest and aptitudes while building awareness and experience in job-keeping skills. Both classes incorporate Work Based Learning approach focused on career exploration, career assessment and work-related training.

1.   Give the worn buffet from your kitchen or di
ning area new life as a dresser. Start with a fresh coat of high-gloss paint, then install new hardware-you will love outfitting them with vintage knobs and drawer pulls.

2.   Old or outdated dressers and bureau pieces can all be repurposed in the kitchen or dining area for dish and linen storage. Use paint or stain to brighten them up and coordinate them with your space. For dining area pieces, line one of the drawers with green felt and add dividers to make a silverware drawer. Use an old dresser to organize has even more tips for repurposing an old dresser.  An old dresser could also be repurposed into a changing table for families who have or are expecting a new bundle of joy.  After painting the dresser to match your baby room’s theme and replacing hardware-if needed-simply install padding on top of the dresser to make a cushiony surface.