Home builders foster community through charitable work

By JEFF WADDLE, President
Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia

Builders across the nation create the neighborhoods and communities we call home. But in many cases, they contribute much more than just building the structures in which we live. The philanthropic work of home builders, whether it is raising funds for a local hospital or volunteering with HomeAid or the Boys & Girls Clubs, forms a collective bond, bringing together citizens and neighbors in unselfish acts of charity.

Here in our area, home builders are involved with countless charitable organizations through generous donations of money, materials and volunteer labor that stems from the national philosophy Home Builders Care. This guiding tenet encourages community outreach activities conducted by builders and home builder associations across the nation and results in the yearly contribution of millions of dollars in cash, building materials, supplies, and countless volunteer hours donated to area charities.

For example, builders in Medford, Ore. partnered with the Children’s Advocacy Center to construct a new 3,200 sq. ft. facility designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for abused children and the staff and volunteers who help them. More than 1,300 hours were donated to the project by 85 volunteers who working for 30 different companies — a true industrywide community service effort.

In Orlando, Fla., home builders adopted a failing elementary school in an effort to boost morale and improve failing state achievement test scores. More than 40 volunteers from the home building community gave time each week to assist with assemblies, school field trips and exam preparations. The builders also donated $1,500 to be used for school improvements, constructed a new front entrance, installed new shelving and worked with the fifth grade science club to design a landscape project for the school’s courtyard. In one year, the school jumped from an F to an amazing C+ in its test score results.

In Benton, Ark., and in many other cities, home builders are planning to join in the 2006 Home Builders Blitz, a national program that will pair Habitat for Humanity affiliates with home builders to build 1,000 homes in one week.

There are countless examples of the community service work performed by the home building industry, and this year the National Association of Home Builders is honoring individual builders, as well as home builder associations for their charitable work.

The Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves this area, has an impressive record of giving to its community. Whether it is a local scholarship program supported by home builders, something we’ve done since 1984, part of this year’s Home Builders Care/National Housing Endowment-Tsunami Shelter Fund effort, support for the Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita Relief Efforts, or assistance to some other worthy cause, the home builders in your community — our community — are leaders in making this area a better place to live and are providing a sense of “home” in more ways than one.