Habitat for Humanity I have contacted many agencies and have found that the new HIPPA laws prevent many agencies from allowing us to work with them. Agencies are much more careful to protect the privacy of their clients these days. However, I finally found a good fit for our Ohio ASPs to work for. I have chosen Habitat for Humanity as I feel that our knowledge of homes and our expertice in creating beautiful surroundings will fit well with their international goal of home ownership. In speaking with the local chapter of Habitat, they have requested that we help them in October/ November when they have several homes to finish up and few volunteers as the summer is over. With Habitat, our ASPs will be able to volunteer as needed, and as their time permits. I am optimistic that this will turn into a year round volunteer opportunity that will keep us (ASPs) busy in our community. I am sending the following article to our local newspaper as an announcement. I hope to be able to follow up periodically with new articles on what our ASPs have accomplished. I'm hopeful that this will work our well and next year we will be ahead of the game for International Staging Service Day. - Karen Angus Article: StagedHomes.com, originators of the Home Staging concept, has established the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) Foundation and is proud to announce its first annual “Worldwide Staging Service Day” on September 17, 2005. Accredited Staging Professionals (ASPs) across the United States and Canada have found organizations and individuals in their communities who are in need of Staging services. ASPs will be volunteering their time, talents and personal resources to work for the betterment of the communities that they serve; and ultimately enhance the quality of lives through service to others. Barb Schwarz, President and Founder of StagedHomes.com and IAHSP says; “It is with great enthusiasm and joy that we give back to the communities that we live and work in”. Schwarz has coined the phrase ‘Think globally, act locally through the world of home Staging' to be the theme for the Worldwide Staging Service Day. Schwarz pioneered the concept of Home Staging in 1972, and since 1985 has taught over 600,000 real estate agents and interior decorators her Staging principles. Schwarz added ‘Through the magical power of Staging we create beauty, reduce stress and improve the value of Real Estate and lives.' Karen Angus, president of Staging Solutions, LLC and her Ohio IAHSP Chapter, have selected Habitat for Humanity as an ongoing community service recipient. Habitat for Humanity offers numerous opportunities for volunteers to empower families to obtain the American Dream- owning a home of their own. Karen says, “I'm proud to be an IAHSP Charity Ambassador and happy to donate my time and resources to such a worthy cause”. Karen invites all Ohio IAHSP members and friends to volunteer their time and talents on an ongoing basis to such a worthy cause. “This isn't just a one day event, but a joyful commitment.” If you would like to locate an IAHSP Chapter in your area to volunteer, please contact IAHSP International at 800-392-7161. You may also reach us at StagedHomes.com.