Habitat to have annual February Freeze

Eastern Shore of Virginia Habitat for Humanity (ESVAHFH) will be having their annual February Freeze at the Cape Charles Beachfront on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Noon. There will be a kickoff event, BBQ & Brews, at the Cape Charles Brewery on Friday, February 21, 2025 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by visiting the affiliate’s Facebook page for a link or by visiting the website.

Jeannette Edwards was selected as the Celebrity Dipper for this year’s Freezin’ for a Reason event. Jeannette is a compassionate and dedicated individual who has spent over 50 years serving others in a variety of capacities.

With Jeannette’s career in healthcare, she has made a lasting impact in roles that have allowed her to improve the lives of countless individuals from the lab to health education before moving to Human Resources, where she was selected as Employee of the Year in 2010, and most recently Chief Executive Officer for Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc. Eastern Shore Rural Health’s mission is “To create a healthy Eastern Shore through access to quality care for all.” Housing is one of the determinants patients are asked about at ESRHS, because it can have an impact on their overall health. Jeannette’s desire to partner with the affiliate as this year’s Celebrity Dipper is driven by what she has experienced professionally, while also acknowledging how blessed she has been personally which has given her the opportunity to give back to the Eastern Shore Community in many ways.

In addition to her professional achievements, Jeannette has shown an unwavering commitment to her community. She founded the Coat Closet at her church over 14 years ago, a program that provides warmth and comfort to those in need. The Coat Closet has blessed over 7500 individuals with a coat over the years. Jeannette is also an active member in the Soroptimist Club, Onancock Rotary, Ye Accomacke and Debedeavon Garden Clubs and the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce. Her passion for serving was recognized by the Chamber of Commerce in 2016 when she was awarded Small Business Person of the Year and in 2022 when she received the Distinguished Service Award. In 2023, she was selected by the Governor to serve on the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) for a four-year term. With her husband, Tony, Jeannette also co-owned and operated Edwards’ Seafood, a small business, further demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to both her family and her community. Throughout her life, Jeannette has exemplified the values of service, care, and kindness. She is excited to serve as the 2025 Celebrity Dipper and contribute to a cause that empowers individuals and makes a lasting impact in the Eastern Shore Community.

The February Freeze is ESVAHFH’s largest fundraiser each year because of the generosity of sponsors – businesses and individuals. The funds from the February Freeze and other fundraising efforts are used to build affordable homes for selected partner families to purchase. When Habitat homeowners are selected, they are required to complete sweat equity hours, as well as take educational courses on homeownership. ESVAHFH recently began working on House 56 since the affiliate’s inception. Help Jeannette Edwards, Celebrity Dipper, as well as any other teams or individuals participating in this year’s event as they partner with ESVAHFH to champion the organization’s mission and reach its goals of partnering with more families and making their dreams of homeownership a reality.