City Donates Former City Hall Items to Habitat For Humanity

It looks like the city's old cabinetry, carpeting and other items from the former City Hall on La Paz Road have found a new home.

Moving trucks and construction crews were busy at the site recently in an effort to restore the suites back to their original order as requested by the landlord, according to Art Menchaca, deconstruction manager for Habitat for Humanity.

"The city of Laguna Niguel had to convert the offices back to the original condition and one of our member's mother's suggested whatever materials they were not going to use, they  donate to Habitat for Humanity," he recalled.

Through City Manager Tim Casey, Menchaca was able to reach the onsite supervisor to see if Habitat could use anything that was in the buildings, he said.

"There were around 80-plus wall cabinets, room-size carpets that were in good condition, cork boards, letter holders, and a few other miscellaneous items that were donated," he said. "The items we take are sold in our Restore in Garden Grove. The profits we make go toward homes that are sold to qualified low-income families."

There are two divisions for the Restore: One is "Material Acquisitions" that picks up items that are ready to go and just be picked up, and the other is the "Deconstruction Department." That group goes in, and removes attached items. Some of these items may include: cabinets, appliances, windows, doors, carpet, wrought iron fences, light fixtures, etc.

Overall, it was a four-day deconstruction process with Menacha's team that consisted of another Habitat for Humanity employee, one Americorps' member, and volunteers that sign up to help. There were also five additional volunteers that assisted, he said.

"We get items from homeowners, businesses, and for me, this was my first city donation," he said. "We are very happy to receive these items. Everything we get that we can sell in our Restore, helps."

If you are a homeowner ready to remodel and need your "good, used items deconstructed," you can reach the Habitat for Humanity Deconstruction Department at 714-497-5164. If you have good, usable items or a business that has overstock, or discontinued items that you would like to donate, you can reach the Material Acquisition Department at 714-467-0004.

If you would like to volunteer for any of the divisions, or want information on Habitat for Humanity, call the non-profit organization's main office at 714-434-6200.

"All items are tax deductable, it helps to keep our landfields clean, and it helps us in our goal to build homes for low-income families," Menacha said.