Executive Director & CEO Corner
In this issue of Building Hope, you’ll read about two important efforts of ours, both of which are intricately related to our mission of creating safe spaces for those we serve. The first, GolfAid, on March 7 at TopGolf Loudoun, is at its heart a fundraiser – the lifeblood of any nonprofit – and I’m excited to see many of you there. GolfAid – along with the many other events we host throughout the year – helps spread awareness of who we are, creates lasting bonds between our supporters, raises critically needed funds, and supports our overall mission, which includes programs like Project Playhouse.
This year’s Project Playhouse – our fourth – is an important reminder that every child deserves and needs a childhood where they can imagine, dream, and play with other kids. But cookie-cutter designs won’t get us there; at HomeAid, we work to meet our nonprofit partners where they are, to ensure that the playhouses we help build are designed with our partners’ missions in mind, too. As you’ll learn in our Community section, this year’s playhouse was built on the grounds of a therapeutic riding program and is fully ADA accessible, giving every child at the Cloverleaf Equine Center an outlet for creativity and play!
Our nation’s youth are at risk; on a single night in 2023, the National Alliance to End Homelessness counted almost 35,000 youth as homeless, and they estimated that 40.8% of homeless youth were unsheltered. It’s our honor to help serve our youngest citizens, and we’re grateful that through your support of us, our events, and our fundraisers, we can together restore a little bit of the magic of childhood for so many kids in our communities.
With gratitude,
In the Neighborhood
Register for GolfAid While You Still Can!
Have you registered for GolfAid yet? It always sells out, so be sure to save your spot by registering today for this fun team-building event at TopGolf Loudoun to help support HomeAid’s mission! This year’s GolfAid will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Individual tickets are $300, or you can purchase an entire bay for $1,500 (six attendees) and save $300. Tickets include three hours of unlimited golf, food and drinks, and the opportunity to network with the region’s top builders and trade partners. We also have a networking ticket available for $200, which food, and beverages but no golf.
No matter what ticket type suits you best, you’ll be helping to raise funds that directly support upcoming projects and will give new hope to those experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including kids, single moms, veterans, intellectually disabled adults, and countless others who are coming out of crisis and need a hand up.
In Your Community
An Accessible Playhouse for All
HomeAid National Capital Region and longtime partner Stanley Martin Homes once again team up through our Project Playhouse Program to deliver a custom playhouse for the Cloverleaf Equine Center, which provides therapeutic and equine-assisted activities for children and adults with disabilities in an inclusive community setting. The playhouse is fully ADA-accessible, ensuring that kids who are at the Center for riding therapy can also explore, play, and imagine in a space of their very own!
The 10’ X 10’ playhouse was designed to complement the stables on-property, complete with a horse weathervane, and was built on site at the end of January with the support of many HomeAid partners: VCI provided the wood and other building materials; Green Village built the foundation slab and extended the sidewalk to the slab; GP Carpentry framed the project; Hardie Plank provided the siding and trim materials; and Dae Won Construction installed the siding. RC Enterprises provided and installed a play kitchen area with countertop and shelving inside of the playhouse; Darvish installed the roof; Titan Construction created a path from the mulched portion of the playground to the playhouse; and Stanley Martin’s Construction Manager Mike Taylor built the cupola.
Thank you to all who made this beautiful gift of play and imagination possible!
If you are a nonprofit in need of a playhouse, please fill out the form here
Making It Count
Kristyn Burr Appointed to National Board
Congratulations to our CEO Kristyn Burr, who was appointed in January to the HomeAid America (HAA) Board of Directors! By playing a key role in the organization’s governing body, which has the final authority and oversight of all aspects of its operation, we know that Kristyn will provide outstanding counsel and energy to upholding HomeAid America’s mission and helping advance HomeAid’s impact nationwide.
“There are 19 HomeAid affiliates throughout the county, and it’s important that our voice be heard and that our local market be represented when national partnerships and activities are discussed,” Kristyn said. “At the same time, every market is unique and has different needs; the Board’s goal is to help ensure each affiliate has the resources they need to succeed, and I’m looking forward to helping elevate all of the affiliates through my service.”
Kristyn has led the metro-DC HomeAid affiliate for more than seven years, serving as our primary spokesperson, working collaboratively with its Board of Directors, and seeing through the completion of more than 60 construction projects while consistently building – and exceeding – new fundraising goals year after year.
Congratulations and thank you, Kristyn!
Support Spotlight
Inspired by HomeAid’s Mission
James Hardie Building Products has been a generous supporter of HomeAid National Capital Region, sponsoring and attending events including the Golf Tournament, Builders & Friends BBQ, and Annual Gala & Auction. Mike Ramsden, Area Sales Leader-DC/Baltimore for the company, is the “face” behind the company for us at HomeAid, and we’ve loved getting to know him at events and through our projects. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about what makes Mike and the company keep coming back!
Q: What has inspired you to say ‘yes!’ to supporting HomeAid?
A: The mission. I was fortunate enough to grow up not having to worry if I’d have a roof over my head at night, but not everyone can say that. I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to help support those who need it in our community.
Q: What does your company and staff enjoy most about our events?
A: The events are always a good time – who doesn’t like BBQ?! But ultimately for me it’s getting to know folks from all over the market in various trades and segments within the building industry.
Q: If other trade partners were considering getting involved with HomeAid, what would you tell them?
A: When you interact with someone who is truly passionate about what they do then, it’s natural to want to work with them. The team at HomeAid National Capital Region are extremely dedicated to the mission they’re carrying out and consistently display it at all of their events throughout the year.
Q: What do you love most about your career and the homebuilding industry in general?
A: My job is one of the least glamorous jobs I can think of; on the surface, selling siding certainly doesn’t sound that exciting. But as you peel back the layers, there are so many people, projects, and events that I have an opportunity to impact on the daily. I get a ton of fulfillment by providing solutions that can lead to beautiful homes for homeowners.
Announcements
Follow Us on Social Media
Keep up with everything HomeAid is doing on social media! Photos of projects underway, ways to give back and volunteer, testimonials from nonprofits and the clients they serve … you’ll find a little of everything. All you need to do is follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn!
Show Your Support
Help spread the word and let others know that you support and champion our cause by displaying our Proud Supporter logo in one or all of the following ways:
- Include the Proud Supporter logo on your website.
- Add the Proud Supporter logo to your email signature.
- Use our logo on company signage or promotional pieces.
- Wrap your company vehicle with the new Proud Supporter logo.
Please email Communications and Marketing Director, Courtney Bishop if you would like to start using the logo on your website and other promotional materials.
Upcoming Events
GolfAid
Thursday, March 7, 2024
3:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m.
TopGolf Loudoun
Third Party Events
Second Saturday Series: Bourbon St. Brunch
Saturday, February 10, 2024
11:30 AM – 4:00 PM
The Auld Shebeen Irish Pub
3971 Chain Bridge Rd. Fairfax, VA 22030
Proceeds from the 50/50 raffle and door prize benefit HomeAid National Capital Region
The post Building Hope Newsletter, February appeared first on HomeAid National Capital Region.
