Bend Habitat advocate earns prestigious honor
Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to announce that local Habitat for Humanity advocate, Les Alford, has won the Clive Rainey Lifetime Achievement Award from Habitat for Humanity International.
Alford was the leader and inspiration in organizing Bend Area Habitat for Humanity, beginning with a meeting of an interdenominational group on March 7, 1989. By May of 1989, Alford was instrumental in getting the new Habitat affiliate incorporated. He became the first President of the Board of Directors, from 1989-1991.
In 1991, Alford began work as a staff member for Habitat for Humanity International. He served as the Regional Director of six states in the Northwest. From 1993-1999, he became an Area Director for the 13 most western states.From 2000-2003, Alford served as the Board President for Habitat for Humanity Oregon.
Alford is a leader with a passion for Habitat and its mission of building affordable housing for people in need. It is obvious that over the past 25 years, Bend Area Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity International have been blessed by such a dedicated and enthusiastic advocate for the mission.
When asked what this Award meant to Alford, he said, “Habitat for Humanity has been both a vocation and an avocation for me for the past 25 years. Many people are fortunate to have one good career in their lives and I have had two: 24 years in the United States Air Force and, as of now, 25 years with Habitat both at the local level and with Habitat International.”
“Our Volunteers of the Year give generously of their time and skill to improve the lives of others,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “I am humbled by their hard work and compassion and am extremely grateful for all that they do.”
About Bend Area Habitat for Humanity
Bend Area Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to providing affordable homeownership and home repair services to low income families and individuals in Bend and Crook County. Bend Area Habitat has ReStores, used and surplus home improvement centers, accepting and selling a wide variety of building materials, appliances and home furnishings in Bend and Prineville. All proceeds from the ReStores benefit Bend Habitat’s mission. For more information, www.bendhabitat.org.
