The Builders and Friends BBQ has always been one of my favorite events of the year. It represents so much about what I love most about our HomeAid community, with the kind of friendly and welcoming vibe that a backyard BBQ can uniquely provide and collegial and fun cornhole games and plentiful networking opportunities with people who repeatedly demonstrate how generous they are with their time, expertise, and resources. But it’s also so much bigger than all that, because the entire event is really dedicated to celebrating our Trade Partners, some of whom have been supporting us for over a decade. The trades are truly the hearts and souls of our projects, and for anyone who regularly reads the ‘Supporter Spotlight’ section of this monthly newsletter knows, they give so generously. We often spotlight our trades in the Spotlight, and time and again, their reasons for getting involved and donating in such big and important ways really come down to doing it because they want to help, they know they can give in ways that many cannot, and they feel it’s simply the right thing to do as a member of a supportive society. When I say that HomeAid couldn’t exist – and that we certainly couldn’t continue without their involvement and generosity – I absolutely mean it.
With five projects currently in development with several others in discussions, this year – like so many before it – is an especially important time to say, ‘Thank you.’ I hope you’ll join me on June 20 at this year’s Builders & Friends BBQ to highlight their work and celebrate all that we achieve together.
With gratitude,
On April 22, HomeAid celebrated the completion of our most recent construction project for the Operation Renewed Hope Foundation (ORHF), at a ribbon cutting with Builder Captain Christopher Companies and 21 trade partners. The project represents $153,815 in community investment, 90 percent of which was donated by Christopher Companies and its partners – enabling ORHF, which provides housing and supportive services to our Nation’s homeless veterans and their families, to expand its operations and serve more members of the Armed Forces.
Top priorities for the 2,000-square foot home included increasing the number of bedrooms in the two-story home from three to five; increasing the number of bathrooms from 2.5 to 4.5; adding a kitchenette and egress, including a walk-out to the basement; and repainting and replacing flooring and appliances throughout the home. Another essential component of the project was adding a bedroom and bathroom to the home’s first floor, making it more accessible and enabling a veteran with a physical disability to live more self-sufficiently.
“We listen carefully to the needs of our nonprofit partners and the people they assist. In this case, we added bedrooms and a kitchenette in the basement so the house could be used for individuals or a large family, depending upon the greatest need,” said HomeAid National Capital Region CEO Kristyn Burr. “Also, adding a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor was critical for the population ORHF serves. It means fewer limitations for veterans so they can live more independently.”
The project is HomeAid’s second for ORHF; in 2021, we completed a $126,000 renovation and expansion project at another home owned by ORHF, providing 90 percent in savings.
Thank you, Christopher Companies and trade partners, for helping Operation Renewed Hope Foundation to provide a safe and dignified home for our Nation’s veterans.
Have you gotten your ticket for one of the best events of the year, and our most popular summer get-together? We hope so, because HomeAid’s 2024 Builders & Friends BBQ – on Thursday, June 20, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the National Botanic Garden in South Riding – is shaping up to again be the perfect mix of great food, live music, cornhole games, raffle prizes, and the chance to celebrate the builders and trade partners who make our mission of rebuilding lives possible. A regular local favorite – the Liberty Street Band – will entertain with classic ‘60s, 70s and 80s rock and classic Americana music, while Mission BBQ serves up our main course. C&C Frozen Treats will provide handmade ice cream and Italian ice from its food truck, and two local craft breweries will have taps flowing for all of our supporters and guests.
Raffle prizes will include tickets to the Washington Nationals, a DC history tour and pub crawl, golf foursomes, gift cards, and, of course, the always popular wheelbarrow of beer!
For any Builder Captain or trade partner who volunteered on a HomeAid project between June 2023 and June 2024, you are also eligible for TWO FREE tickets to the event; please contact Tammy Glasser for reservation details.
We look forward to celebrating our collaborative work throughout the region – we hope to see you there!
Thank you to our Pit Boss Presenting Sponsor, Buhl Electric Co. Inc.
Mother’s Day is right around the corner – on Sunday, May 12 – and with it, HomeAid’s Builders for Babies 2024 officially kicks off. This annual effort, which seeks to collect diapers and wipes for dozens of local nonprofits that serve families with young children, will this year strive to collect 250,000 diapers. We’re already off to a great show of support, with four entire pallets of diapers already purchased. Thank you to the companies and individuals who have generously purchased diapers online to help kickstart us to meeting our goal.
Several local companies are also hosting donation sites for Builders for Babies, including:
Beazer Homes
Bowman
Buhl Electric
Business Management Research Associates
Centerpointe Academy
Centerview Title Group
Christopher Companies
Classic Granite and Marble
D.C. Prime
Drees Homes
First Excel Title
George Mason University MRED Alumni
GPS Fire Systems
GROUPE
Guild Mortgage
Hometeam Pest Defense
Lennar Homes
M&T Bank
Merritt Companies
NVBIA Women in the Building Industry
Stanley Martin
Sun Design Remodeling
Thompson Greenspon
Van Metre
Wells Fargo
If you’d like to host a donation site, please sign up here to collect donations of diapers and wipes at your office, church, business, etc.
How else can you get involved?
Attention Nonprofits! If you would like to be included in our diapers and wipes distribution network, please contact Tammy Glasser!
Southland Insulators, founded in 1986, is a local, family-owned business that employs nearly 600 people and has grown to 13 companies across the Mid-Atlantic region. Within a year of its launch, the company joined NVBIA and – through its affiliation with them and many of their other members – was introduced to HomeAid when it was founded in 2001. Since that time, Southland has participated in nearly a dozen projects, and we recently sat down with President and Founder Jerry Palmer to find out what has inspired Southland to keep supporting our mission – including the renovation project we just completed last month for Operation Renewed Hope!
Q: Southland has been working with us since 2010; what makes you keep saying ‘yes’ to supporting our mission?
A: Once we got involved with that first project, HomeAid became a continuing and ongoing focus for our company. The issues that HomeAid tackles are complex, and they’re bigger than any one group can solve alone. As a local business, we believe in supporting charities and organizations in our area whenever our direct help can make a tangible difference in the lives of those around us. It’s not only the right thing to do, but it aligns with our values as a company.
Q: How has your experience working with us and other trades been like?
A: Collaborating with other insulators on HomeAid projects, who might otherwise be considered competitors, has been a rewarding experience. We highly recommend getting involved in a HomeAid project to anyone considering it. Our level of involvement varies depending on the project’s size and scope, from providing labor, materials, or both. Regardless of the project, the process is always straightforward, and the experience is incredibly fulfilling. It’s the perfect opportunity for any organization looking to give back to their community. We firmly believe in the work that HomeAid does and the impact it makes.
Q: What have you been most surprised to learn about homelessness since your work with HomeAid began?
A: We’ve learned that the stories behind homelessness are as diverse as those experiencing it. Homelessness affects people from all walks of life, from those living in tents to families displaced due to various circumstances, to colleagues we may not even realize are struggling. It’s an ongoing issue without a single, easy solution. I believe that the more organizations like HomeAid there are, the closer we can get to finding a comprehensive solution. In my opinion, individuals and non-profits have greater success rates than government organizations. This is one of the reasons we love supporting HomeAid; our donations can have a more direct and meaningful impact than they might otherwise have. Ultimately, it comes down to making the conscious decision to give back, especially to our local community.
Representing at National Conference
In April, HomeAid National Capital Region CEO Kristyn Burr and Communications & Marketing Director Courtney Bishop attended the HomeAid America National Conference in San Diego, representing our affiliate, sharing best practices, and learning from HomeAid’s other 18 affiliates. Other highlights included Keynote Speaker Brian Hengesbaugh, Q4 Leaders, who discussed building, supporting, and strengthening relationships with HomeAid executive directors and HomeAid America; fundraising and messaging tactics; a panel that discussed government relationships and keeping boards of directors engaged; and a discussion co-led by Kristyn Burr on understanding the current and future project landscape and how we can grow as an organization strategically and with consistency.
Thank You
Thank you, Northern Virginia Association of Realtors (NVAR), for your support and for your recent generous grant – it’s partnerships like yours that help us fulfill our mission of building new lives and ending homelessness!
Builders for Babies Diaper Drive
Collection Dates
May 12 to June 16, 2024
Builders & Friends BBQ
Thursday, June 20, 2024, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
National Botanic Garden
26320 Ticonderoga Road
South Riding, VA, 20152
Second Saturday Series: Mayhem + Mimosas
Saturday, May 11, 2024 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Earp’s Ordinary
10420 Main St.
Fairfax, VA 22030
