In June, the Mauston Habitat ReStore is kicking off a new way to get great deals. The new program is called the ReStore Rewards Club and is designed to reward savvy customers who shop frequently at the Mauston ReStore.

There is no cost to join the program; one just needs to follow three simple steps: One-Fill out a short registration form. Two-Pick up a small, durable ReStore Rewards Card. Three-Shop! Every $20 spent at the ReStore yields a single punch in the card. Once 20 holes are punched, the buyer gets 50% off a purchase of up to $400, and a new card.

There are several other benefits for Rewards card members. Members will receive a 10% discount on any item when they sign up. Clun members who show their card within seven days of their birthday get 20% off the purchase of a single item. Anyone signing up for a card before the end of June will also get one hole punch, even without a purchase. To take advantage of all these deals, stop by in June to fill out our short registration form, receive your ReStore Rewards Card, and shop!

The Mauston Habitat ReStore was honored to host the State annual ReStore Conference on Monday, April 28, attended by representatives from ReStores around Wisconsin. Topics included development of marketing research tools, the Madison ReStore’s “Urban Wood” lumber recycling program, special donation projects, and gathering volunteer and donor data.

Representatives from ReStores in Appleton, Green Bay, La Crosse, Madison, Marinette, Mauston, Milwaukee, New Richmond, Oshkosh, Plymouth, Sauk and Columbia counties, Sheboygan, Spooner, St. Croix Falls, Sturgeon Bay, Waukesha, Wausau, West Bend, and the UW-Extension office in Mauston were in attendance.

“This is a very dedicated group,” commented UW-Extension’s Gary Kirking, one of the presenters.

The Mauston ReStore staff discussed its program of donation pick-ups outside of Adams and Juneau counties. While there are 42 Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Wisconsin, only 26 of them have ReStores, and many of them do not have ReStores. The Mauston ReStore has partnered with the Habitat for Humanity affiliates of Monroe, Wood, Marquette, Waushara, and Green Lake Counties to pick up donations and then share the profits.

“This Mauston ReStore effort not only helps to raise money to build houses, it also increases the profile of Habitat for Humanity throughout central Wisconsin,” said Jim Abbs, local Habitat board President. Just in the last year alone, the Mauston ReStore has helped raise over $55,000 with this program, and hopes that other ReStores will consider doing the same.

When Brian Granger of New Lisbon won a new Toro lawnmower in a raffle at the New Lisbon Community Center, his first thought was how he could use his good fortune to help others.

Granger, the owner of G-Line Fence and Landscaping in New Lisbon, had previously volunteered with Habitat for Humanity at the ReStore in Mauston, and offered his landscaping skills at a Habitat house built in New Lisbon. The lawnmower seemed like a perfect way for him to once again support the organization. “I just thought, why not pay it forward?” Granger said.

The mower, a Toro SR4 Super Recycler, usually retails for around $500. It will be donated to a future Habitat homeowner family to help keep the yard of their new house tidy and beautiful.

Habitat for Humanity of Adams and Juneau Counties has built 17 homes in the area since 2002, and are currently completing the 18th and 19th, which will be finished this summer. To find out more about how you can help, call 608-847-2000 or visit www.habitat-ajc.org.