Last month, we dedicated a newly renovated townhome for Good Shepherd Housing. It was a meaningful moment not just because the project was complete but, because it puts another affordable housing unit online for a family earning 30 percent of the area median income (AMI) or below. Even better, we were able to create an additional bedroom during our renovation, making an almost-unheard-of five-bedroom home for a large family. It’s an important asset for this nonprofit partner’s housing portfolio, and I’m so proud of our involvement and investment in the project.
Next month, we’ll be hosting the Builders & Friends BBQ, a tradition that gives us the opportunity to thank the trade partners who make our work possible. We’ll applaud the 20 trade partners involved in the Good Shepherd project, along with so many others who have generously donated their time, resources, and expertise throughout the last year.
Both events are on my mind because while the BBQ is at its core a thank you, it’s also a significant source of fundraising for HomeAid. A project like Good Shepherd, which is so central to our mission of providing dignified housing for those who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, are made possible because of events like BBQ which allow for us to help tighten funding gaps in our construction projects.
We’re proud to contribute more than just coordination and oversight for our projects. For Good Shepherd, 78 percent of the $101,000 total cost was donated – including $15,000 in HomeAid NCR funding. For our turnover projects, where we prepare affordable housing units for new residents with fresh paint and flooring, we cover 100 percent of the costs for the nonprofit partner. By being able to raise our own funds, we too can pay it forward and make decisions to support vetted nonprofits and programs we believe in. Sometimes, our donation is the difference between a project going forward or not.
No matter the scope of the project or size of the donation our investment – combined with the work of our Builder Captains and Trade Partners – brings dignity, safety, and access to housing and programs for the men, women, and children our nonprofit partners serve. I know I often talk about how grateful we are for donor support, and this month that gratitude feels especially tangible as we focus on renovating spaces, raising critical funds, and showing appreciation for the people who make it all possible.
With gratitude,
HomeAid’s Annual Builders for Babies diapers and wipes collection drive launched this month – on Mother’s Day (May 10) – and our goal of donating one million diapers and wipes to over 45 nonprofits means that we need you!
There are several ways to help, and last year’s ultra successful drive made it clear that hosting a collection site can be a great way to engage with your staff, organization, and community. We had 40 sites last year, including offices, churches, and local businesses which collectively brought in 133,000 diapers and wipes! We provide a lot of support to our collection sites, with tips for social media promotions and suggested verbiage to help encourage and expand your supporter network. Other strategies for success from our online toolkit include:
▢ Place collection box in the front lobby or breakroom of office
▢ Create fun ways to involve your employees:
▢ Post the HomeAid Builders for Babies flyer
▢ Share about your drive on social media
▢ Send reminder emails throughout the drive
▢ Take lots of photos throughout the collection
▢ Mark your calendar to drop-off the diapers and wipes on Friday, June 26th at our warehouse in Ashburn.
We also offer the option to purchase diapers and wipes directly on the HomeAid National Capital Region website. When purchasing diapers through our online platform, donors will have the option to mark their donation as being affiliated with your company or group. Looking for other ways to support this year’s Builders for Babies?
No matter how you participate, you’ll make a huge impact, especially as prices rise but diapers and wipes cannot be purchased using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Help us continue to make that kind of impact on families in our region – and be part of an effort that has collected over 2.7 million diapers and wipes since 2018!
Attention Nonprofits! If you would like to be included in our diapers and wipes distribution network, please contact Michelle Fargher.
In April, HomeAid, Builder Captain Miller and Smith, and 20 trade partners celebrated the completion of a renovation valued at over $101,000 for Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services, a nonprofit partner that has been addressing housing challenges in Fairfax County, VA, for more than 50 years. This three-story townhome was transformed into an affordable residence within Good Shepherd’s long-term housing portfolio, providing a safe, stable home for individuals and families earning 30 percent of the area median income – and further stabilizing their portfolio of owned and leased units that help this nonprofit partner house more than 130 families each year!
The project included the addition of a fifth bedroom to better accommodate larger families, along with reconfiguring the laundry area and installing a brand-new washer and dryer. All three bathrooms were upgraded with new vanities, toilets, mirrors, and light fixtures, and drywall repairs were completed throughout the home. Inside, luxury vinyl plank flooring was installed throughout, the entire interior was freshly painted, and all light fixtures were replaced. In the kitchen, updates included a new pantry door, brand-new appliances, and new countertops, creating a more functional and refreshed space.
The team also enhanced the exterior by landscaping both the front and backyard, painting the deck, and sealing the driveway.
Our team’s collective donations of time, materials, and expertise not only brought the project to life, but it completed the renovation while delivering a 78 percent cost savings to Good Shepherd Housing – critical funding that they can now allocate towards programs and services directly benefiting the clients they serve.
Thank you to Builder Captain Miller and Smith especially Carter Johnson, Jorge Jimenez, and Camacho Jimenez as well as the following trade partners for transforming this home – and a family’s life.
Next month, on June 18, we’ll welcome our region’s top builders, trade partners, and other industry leaders to our Builders & Friends BBQ from 3:30-6:30pm at the National Botanic Garden in Chantilly, VA. We’ll have great food and refreshments, cornhole games, and live music alongside some of the best networking opportunities of the year. And, we’ll announce and celebrate the 2026 Trade Partner of the Year.
This annual award is given to a company who has gone above and beyond to provide an invaluable service to HomeAid’s projects – companies like Southern Electric, Capital Mechanical, GE Appliances, VCI, Falcon Heating & Air Conditioning, Exceptional Choices, Atlas Home Services, and more. First presented in 2009, the Trade Partner of the Year Award has become an important way for us to further show our gratitude for and appreciation of our trades; we couldn’t be successful without their life-changing contributions of time, labor, and materials.
“Our trade partners are the backbone of our accomplishments, and their contributions sometimes aren’t as front-facing as others,” said HomeAid National Capital Region CEO Kristyn Burr. “The truth is, they’re literally putting roofs over people’s heads, giving them electricity and water, heating and cooling their homes, freshening their environments with flooring and paint, and creating foundations and frames to last a lifetime. Their work is only topped by their passion, and I look forward to presenting this prestigious award next month.”
Will you be there to help us celebrate our 2026 recipient? Register today and find out more about the 648 trade partners that have been such a huge part of our success since our founding!
Presented by Buhl Electric Co., Inc., tickets are $75 per person, and a limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available.
For any Builder Captain or Trade Partner who volunteered on a HomeAid project between June 2025 and June 2026, you are also eligible for TWO FREE tickets to the event; please contact Michelle Fargher to reserve tickets.
Looking to get involved but not sure how? Consider volunteering at the BBQ! We’re always looking for help with loading the truck at our headquarters, registration, running the raffle, helping in the parking lot, and cleanup. Contact Michelle Fargher for more information, and we’ll look forward to welcoming you to our volunteer crew.
Miller & Smith has been a longtime supporter of HomeAid, most recently leading the renovation project at a Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services property as Builder Captain. Carter Johnson, director of warranty service / production manager with Miller and Smith, was an integral part of the team from start to finish, and we sat down with him to find out what drives him to get so involved with HomeAid and our projects.
Q: What is it about HomeAid projects that inspire you?
A: It really all started as I watched my mom, an antiques dealer and interior designer, focus as much on giving back as she did on building her business. She was a great businesswoman and started a chapter of the Salvation Army in Loudoun County. When it came to helping others, she showed up fully, without question. That’s the example I was raised on—and even after starting my own career earning just $3 an hour, it’s a mindset I’ve carried with me ever since. Giving back fulfills my heart. I’ve probably been a part of building 1200 to 1400 homes during my career, but it’s the HomeAid projects that really resonate with me. Providing all those women with a safe home, where people could also help them learn how to do their finances and find independence … that sticks with you. Gordon Smith of Miller & Smith always said we should share the wealth of your crop, and I agree; it gives me joy to give joy to others. There are so many in our community who are struggling, and I don’t want any accolades – I just love the feeling of being able to give someone a better life through my abilities and handiwork.
Q: You were a passionate supporter of our Good Shepherd project, and your dedication to making this home a safe haven for a family really showed in the craftsmanship. Tell us about the project.
A: What I value most about HomeAid projects is that we focus on meaningful, lasting improvements rather than just cosmetic fixes. Instead, we’ll improve the homes from the inside out, and the Good Shepherd project is a good example of that. We didn’t want to just freshen the flooring – we installed luxury vinyl plank instead of carpet, as it’s a far superior product that looks so good and keeps so clean. Each time we improved one thing, we realized the next thing – in comparison – looked tired, so we kept going. We power washed the driveway, and then realized it needed two coats of new sealant. It was that kind of project, where we continually identified opportunities to go further, making thoughtful improvements to ensure the best result. That level of care will have an impact on the residents. I have a deep appreciation for the community this home serves, where many hardworking individuals face significant financial barriers to homeownership. In today’s market, the threshold for purchasing a home can feel unattainable, making it difficult for many to take even the first step. Being part of an effort that helps bridge that gap and gives back to the community is something I am truly proud of.
Q: What would you say to another trade partner thinking about getting involved?
A: HomeAid is, bottom line, the most supportive charitable organization you’ll find. They’re also cheerleaders and a viable part of the solution in our communities. I can’t say enough good things about HomeAid – it’s an amazing thing to be a part of, and I’m glad for the experience. I’d love to be part of another project.
Welcome
Please join us in welcoming Angie Persello to our team as our new director of construction! Angie joins us with experience in construction estimating, nonprofit program management, and community outreach, working across both the construction and nonprofit sectors. She is known for her ability to coordinate complex projects and build strong partnerships, and she enjoys connecting people and resources to better serve communities. Angie has managed housing repair initiatives, developed scopes of work, and collaborated with contractors, volunteers, and community organizations to support underserved households. Welcome!
Cheers to our Major Donors
On Thursday, April 16, HomeAid celebrated our 25-year history and honored the partnerships and people who have transformed thousands of lives by creating safe and dignified spaces that strengthen communities. Congratulations to Major Donor Awardees Doug Smith, John Darvish Construction, Falcon Heating & Air Conditioning, Van Metre Homes, and Buhl Electric Company; Outstanding Service Awardees William A. Hazel, HDS Drywall Services, Russell Rosenberger, Eastern Applicators, and KT Enterprises; Outstanding Community Partner Awardee Toll Brothers, DCM Division; K. Hovnanian Homes and the Trade Partner Council, PulteGroup Mid-Atlantic Division, and Larry and the LandLawyers; Lifetime Partnership Awardee NVBIA; and Founders Awardees Steve Alloy and Don Knutson.
Celebrating 25 Years
In 2019, HomeAid and Builder Captain HITT Construction completed a $1 million capital project, opening a third-floor, 9,400 square-foot learning space in the Arlington Mill Community Center. The Aspire! Afterschool Learning center began offering after-school academic and summer enrichment programs for at-risk elementary school students, ensuring that 120 kids from low-income families, ranging in age from rising third to sixth grade, had access to a six-week academic program designed to prevent summer learning loss. It was a different kind of project for HomeAid, with many trade partners donating or providing at-cost countless products that were critical to making the project financially feasible. The new site ultimately allowed Aspire! to serve three times as many children as before, helping reduce the achievement gap in Arlington while building stronger readers, supporting English language learners, and providing more consistent social-emotional and educational support.
Builders for Babies Diaper Drive
Collection: Mother’s Day (May 10) through Father’s Day (June 21).
Delivery Day: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Builders & Friends BBQ
June 18, 2026, 3:30-6:30 p.m.
National Botanic Garden
26320 Ticonderoga Road
Chantilly, VA, 20152
