#04-100
April 15, 2004

By Stephen Snyder

'House of New Dreams' available in silent auction to raise money for Habitat trip

AMERICUS--On rare occasions, beauty and potential are recognized in something that has been cast away and overlooked by many others. Enter the "House of New Dreams." 

This refurbished Victorian dollhouse complete with an entire family of handmade porcelain dolls, is available now through Friday, April 30 for purchase through silent auction. 

GSW student, Pam Van Oteghem, discovered the Victorian dollhouse, which had been donated to the Habitat ReStore in Albany. It was placed on a shelf, virtually destroyed, as something with little value, but Van Oteghem recognized its potential. 

She bought the house and called the manufacturer to see if replacement parts were available. She explained that she was going to refurbish and sell it as a fundraiser for her University 4000 class, so the company gladly sent her all of the replacement parts at no cost. 

After many hours of intensive labor, sweat and tears, Van Oteghem completed the renovation of the "House of New Dreams" and it is now available for purchase. 

University 4000 is a class at GSW of approximately 40 students that will travel to Costa Rica in May to build Habitat homes for needy families. The University is funding their trip, and the funds raised from the dollhouse sale will be used to build one of the Habitat homes in Costa Rica. 

The minimum bid for the "House of New Dreams" is $500. For more information, contact Peggy Ellington at (229) 931-2198 or e-mail mae@canes.gsw.edu.

PHOTO AVAILABLE 

Miniature Marvel--GSW English Professor Peggy Ellington, Ph.D., is coordinating the silent auction of the "House of New Dreams."

###