$140,000 Raised in One Hour for Habitat Homes
My Own Two Hands Habitat for Humanity of Wake County hosted its 3rd annual Fundraising Breakfast on Tuesday, April 24, 2007. Title sponsors TriSure Corporation and CAI Communications and event partner Williams Mullen Maupin Taylor underwrote the event. More than 400 business leaders representing many of the area's leading employers attended and collectively raised enough funds to purchase materials to build two Habitat homes in Wake County.
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat Wake builds safe, decent houses in partnership with families and individuals who don't quality for traditional mortgages.
Habitat does not give away homes. Through a homeownership program, applicants qualify for, build and purchase their homes. Adults attend homeownership classes and put in a minimum of 250 "sweat equity" hours building their homes or those of their neighbors.
During the process the families save up for a $1,250 down payment. Once they move in to their homes, their mortgage payments become seed money that helps Habitat build more homes. Habitat homeowners pay approximately $500 per month on a 20-year, zero interest mortgage.
- John continued: "Hardworking people who provide vital services in our community are frequently unable to afford safe, decent housing for their own families. To partner with nurses' assistants, teachers, retail workers, child care workers, firefighters, security personnel, housekeepers and landscaping staff who work in our community, we need to work together to make homeownership affordable for them."
Increasing construction and land costs impact the number of homes that Habitat Wake can build. By raising awareness, Habitat Wake inspired the supporters at the breakfast to meet the funding need.
- Woody Yates, executive director of Habitat Wake, said: "Habitat for Humanity is changing lives. The positive impact of affordable homeownership can't be underestimated. It allows families who earn low incomes to redirect their household budgets for other basic necessities like food, clothing or health care."
Guests arrived to the sound of pounding hammers as construction staff and AmeriCorps volunteers framed two walls outside the North Ridge County Club, where the breakfast was held. Many guests picked up hammers themselves to pound in nails. When departing, guests signed a message of support on the solid wood. Signing wall frames is a Habitat tradition for volunteers.
- Woody continued: "In those few minutes it took to hammer in a nail, these Habitat Wake supporters started a chain of events that will change the lives of a family for many generations to come. These two walls will become a child's bedroom. Further, the $140,000 raised will help build homes that families can afford to buy and maintain."
In 2006, more than 10,000 people and organizations gave financial gifts or volunteered their time to Habitat Wake.
By the end of 2007, additional homeowners, volunteers and staff will have started construction on the 321st Habitat home in Wake County. Over the next five years, Habitat Wake wants to double the number of homes built each year and be able serve about 40 new homeowner families each year.
It takes $70,000 to fully cover the costs of building materials and professional subcontractor services for each Habitat house in Wake County. This cost excludes the costs of land and site development.
Event Sponsors
This free, one-hour breakfast was an opportunity to learn how Habitat Wake positively impacts our community. With messages from homeowners about their experiences and images of build sites, the program was dynamic, informative and entertaining. Habitat Wake is appreciative of the guests who have joined our mission by providing gifts and offering volunteer time. Together, we are providing safe, simple, affordable housing for hardworking families in need.
Habitat Wake gratefully acknowledges TriSure Corporation and CAI Communications as Title Sponsors and Williams Mullen Maupin Taylor as a partner for underwriting this event.
Title Sponsors
Partner
History of the Fundraising Event
The breakfast fundraiser is Habitat Wake's largest educational event. Staff and board introduce guests to Habitat homeowners who share personal stories of the powerful impact of homeownership. Volunteers share anecdotes as well about making gifts of time to create sustainable communities. The breakfast fundraising event is generally held in the spring.
