HomeAid Northern Virginia’s prestigious annual Presidents’ Circle Awards were presented at the 9th Annual HomeAid Northern Virginia Gala & Auction presented by M&T Bank, on November 6, 2010. Toll Brothers received the 2010 Presidents’ Award, and Century Tile, Inc. was recognized with the 2010 Trade Partner of the Year Award. NOVACO’s Springfield Condominium was honored as the Non-Profit Care Provider Project of the Year.
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The Presidents’ Award is presented to an individual, a company or an organization that has shown exceptional dedication to the goal of ending homelessness with service to HomeAid Northern Virginia.
“There are two acts of generosity that Bill Gilligan and the Toll Brothers organization have made in the recent past that illustrate their dedication to the mission of HomeAid,” said John DeZinno, HomeAid Northern Virginia Board President and Senior Vice President, Bank of America. “As Builder Captain on the Good Shepherd Alliance’s (GSA) Center of Hope project in 2008, Toll Brothers and more than 75 of their trade partners saved GSA about $250,000 in construction expenditures – money they used to help those most in need.
“They also thought of HomeAid Northern Virginia when they donated hundreds of like-new appliances to us due to a change in Toll Brothers’ major appliance provider,” said DeZinno. “The appliances are being sold in Habitat for Humanity ReStores in a partnership with HomeAid. To date, Toll Brothers’ donation has brought in over $99,000 to HomeAid Northern Virginia. Funds we desperately need to continue to build and renovate emergency and transitional housing.”
“Toll Brothers is a big builder with an even bigger heart,” said DeZinno.
“We are honored to be recognized by the HomeAid Presidents’ Circle Award,” said Bill Gilligan, Toll Brothers Regional President. “It is great to know that we are making such a difference in so many people’s lives, and that is what our partnership with HomeAid is all about … offering a helping hand to those in need in our community.”
“The HomeAid Board of Directors is proud to recognize Century Tile as the Trade Partner of the Year for their generous contribution to HomeAid projects,” said DeZinno. “This recognition is long overdue. Bruce Johnson and Century Tile truly embody the spirit of partnership that HomeAid was founded upon – we ask for their help and they always come through for us. It is this commitment to the HomeAid Northern Virginia mission that has made a difference in the lives of families in transition in our community.” The Trade Partner of the Year Award is presented to a vendor, trade partner or industry partner who has gone above and beyond in their service to HomeAid Northern Virginia.
“Century Tile is proud to have partnered with HomeAid Northern Virginia since 2001,” said Bruce Johnson, President of Alexandria, Virginia-based Century Tile. “It is a real pleasure to know our efforts over the years have had such a positive impact on the community.”
“This is our chance to make a real difference,” said Johnson. “It’s so easy to work with HomeAid and the Builder Captains. I’m surprised more trade partners haven’t gotten involved. Everyone has extra materials and time in their schedules to give. It’s such a small thing that ultimately can make a huge difference in our community.”
EYA, the HomeAid Builder Captain that worked with Century Tile on the renovation of Carpenter’s Shelter earlier this year, shared some insights into why the company deserves the recognition for their efforts.
“Century Tile has been our tile company of choice since opening our doors,” said John Fahey, Senior Vice President for EYA, a smart-growth developer in the D.C. area. “Their organization applies the highest quality installation with superior service blended seamlessly with our production demands, which results in high customer satisfaction ratings with little to no defects. Century Tile’s installers think before they act to ensure their work reflects our design efforts, allowing us to focus our attention on the customer experience. EYA could not ask for a better trade partner.”
“We can’t thank HomeAid enough for all they have done,” said Victoria Neeley, Executive Director for NOVACO Inc. “Because of the generosity of HomeAid Northern Virginia, and the Builder Captain Brookfield Homes along with all the trade partners, NOVACO was able to offer a beautifully remodeled two bedroom condominium to a homeless family for 18-24 months as they focus on starting their new lives, safe and away from abuse.”
“Because HomeAid offers this program it has meant that NOVACO will have more funds for direct services to the families, services that include childcare or trauma counseling for the children and the single moms, transportation expenses, and more recreational activities for our kids,” said Neeley. “Because Brookfield Homes swiftly moved in and fixed up the unit from start to finish in just a few weeks, we were able to furnish it and move a family in from one of the local shelters more quickly – freeing up more bed space in the shelter.”
“Brookfield Homes lost an employee to domestic violence and they did these things to honor her memory,” said Neeley. “This family that just moved in now has the chance that every survivor of abuse should have, to re-start their lives.”
“After touring the home we decided we wanted to rebuild it from the inside out and would call on trade partners that we have had business relationships with for many years to help us,” said Melanie Green-Karol, former General Sales Manager for Brookfield Homes – Washington. “Knowing that NOVACO would provide a safe place for homeless women and children escaping from domestic violence we agreed as a team that it was something we wanted to take on and do.” In addition to providing support through labor and materials, trade partners whose services weren’t needed for the renovation contributed grocery gift cards to assist the family in getting back on their feet.
The Non-Profit Care Provider Project of the Year Award, sponsored by the Freddie Mac Foundation, recognizes a project that embodies the spirit of HomeAid –builders, trade partners and service providers working together to end homelessness.
“This project is a wonderful example of how important it is for business and non-profits to work together for the greater good,” said Margaret Meiers, Senior Director of Community Relations for Freddie Mac and Vice President of the Freddie Mac Foundation, as she presented the award on behalf of HomeAid. “HomeAid has done a phenomenal job of partnering non-profits with businesses. It is a privilege to invest in them.”
Brookfield Homes was recently honored by NOVACO at their annual dinner. “We invited Brookfield Homes to be our special guests at our annual dinner to let everyone there know how much this effort has meant to us,” said Neeley. “We appreciate their meaningful gesture of giving back.” NOVACO placed a plaque in the condo unit, dedicating the renovation to Brookfield Homes and in honor of that employee.
In a letter to HomeAid Northern Virginia, Joen Schultz, Prince of Peace NOVACO Representative speaking on behalf of the family said, “It was so much more than a renovation or remodeling. It was a complete make-over that provides a new, comfortable and secure environment for our NOVACO family. We especially are thankful that you went the extra mile, doing even more than we had asked. I wish that you could see how happy the NOVACO client is in the new home that you have made for her. It has truly been a blessing…a blessing made possible through your good work and donations.”
