Melissa Perry

Syracuse Habitat for Humanity Welcomes its Newest Board Member — Melissa Perry.

Melissa Perry is the Director of Sustainability for the Destiny USA development in Syracuse, NY.  In this position, Melissa insures that all aspects of the project remain vigilant to the green principals laid out by Destiny USA’s Founder and Chairman Robert J. Congel.  This includes construction and operation of the project without the use of fossil fuels. Melissa has made significant contributions to the Destiny USA green initiatives including co-authorship of an application to the EPA and Treasury for Federal Green Bonds, resulting in a $1.036 billion allocation and the successful launch and implementation of Destiny USA’s Biodiesel-B100 program for all construction equipment.

Some of her many, MANY accomplishments include:

• Negotiation with the EPA a 13 program Memorandum of Understanding that committed Destiny USA to work in partnership to become a model of environmental stewardship by implementing conservation and emission reduction programs throughout construction, operations and management of the Destiny USA project.

• Leadership of ongoing LEEDÒ initiatives for the Destiny USA project which includes ensuring their projects meet exemplary performance in energy and water conservation, sustainability, indoor air quality and efficient use of materials and resources.

• 2007 election as an officer into the New York Upstate Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council where she served for 2 years.

• Membership in the Onondaga County Community College Sustainability Task Force, whose primary goal is to create a sustainable campus and develop talent for emerging jobs in the energy and environmental systems industry.

• Membership in the Creative Core Green Team formed to promote and market the region’s assets to retain and attract business and talent to our region.

• Participation with the Syracuse Green Meetings City task force which is focused on marketing the city as a place for environmentally conscious companies to hold meetings, conferences and conventions.

Melissa earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina and is a perpetual student of sustainability.  Prior to joining the Destiny USA team, Melissa worked as the National Sales and Marketing Director for the Foodservice Division of Oneida Ltd, a manufacturer of fine tableware, located in Oneida, NY.

This story  focuses on Barbara Leach and SWEAT, the organizers of the bowl-a-thon.   We hope it will inspire you to come out and bowl with us.  It really is a fun, family-friendly event.

Original Syracuse Habitat for Humanity Board Members Helps Organize Bowl-A-Thon

It’s that time of year again for Barbara Leach and (in the photo above with her husband Raymond) her people from the Southwest Ecumenical Action Team, or S.W.E.A.T. as it’s known throughout the local community.

Leach is helping to organize the 9^th Annual Youth/Adult S.W.E.A.T for Habitat Bowl-a-Thon at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 at Bowl-Mor Lanes, 201 Highland Ave., East Syracuse. The bowl-a-thon is one of the major fundraising events S.W.E.A.T. holds to buy materials for the storage sheds they build for the Habitat For Humanity’s homeowners.

“We’ve built about 10 tool sheds in the past. It isn’t a humungous project but we do raise the money through the bowl-a-thon,” she said. “We’re not a huge force, we’re just doing our thing, and we’re really good at it. I’m glad we’ve been able to be successful.”

This year’s goal is $5,000, and although Leach has some worries about the economy, she’s confident the community will come through. Last year, the event generated close to $6,000. The bowl-a-thon features a few door prizes, and if someone wants to sign-up alone, they’ll be assigned to a team.

The event is open to anyone for a fee of $5.50, which includes two games and shoe rentals. Each person is also expected to raise at least $50 in sponsorship money.

For the last quarter century, Leach has dedicated a lot of her time to the Habitat. She was on its original board 25 years ago. She helped raise money to build a house, but switched to storage sheds after realizing the group didn’t have the number of people needed to build a house.

“I joined partly I think because it was a Christian ministry and the homeowners were asked to share and partner and it wasn’t’ just a give-away,” Leach said. “It was nice because the families themselves were so involved.”

Story written by Christian