Heroes Honored
Home Building Foundation’s devoted volunteers and supporters gathered in the pre-dawn hours to celebrate our collective work. As our 8th annual Foundation Builder’s Breakfast began, Jared Siegel of Delap LLP explained why it makes sense for their accounting and financial services company to sponsor the gathering. “The Foundation makes a difference, and it helps us invest in our community.” A highlight of the breakfast is the announcement of one individual and one company that made an outsized contribution to our work in the past year.
Company of the Year: Rick’s Custom Fencing
We selected Rick’s Custom Fencing and Decking as Company of the Year for some transformational projects. Rick’s provided supplies and expert carpenters to build a new wheelchair ramp for Project Homeless Connect Washington County. Previously, disabled patrons had to be served outside the day center, or had to have their chairs lifted inside. Rick’s also provided an educational opportunity by teaching trainees from Constructing Hope carpentry skills as they assisted building the ramp. Additionally, Rick’s donated lumber which we have used to build multiple projects for facilities such as Do Good Multnomah’s Kiggins Village. Such supplies help HBF stretch our fundraising dollars to help more shelters.
When accepting the award, Rick’s Marketing Director Taylor Stanley explained her company has a culture of giving. She calculated that there was a cumulative 120 years of service donated by the team at her table. Stanley, who is also an HBF Board member, says her employees believe in the projects and ideals that HBF stands for, and look forward to doing more.
Volunteer of the Year: Kelly Cowan- Clean it Up Mark!
Our Volunteer of the Year is Kelly Cowan, of Clean it Up Mark! HBF Executive Director Brenda Ketah praised Cowan Clean it Up Mark! for quietly helping our projects with little fanfare. His contributions during the past year were invaluable. The most impactful was when his crews helped clean up major damage to Community Partners for Affordable Housing’s Oleson Woods complex. Large trees were toppled during the January storm, destroying some of the grounds and some of the buildings. Cowan filled ten dump trucks of stumps and logs that littered the landscaping. The value of cutting up the logs and their removal would cost many thousands of dollars. Additionally, Cowan provided free construction debris removal to several of our projects, including Any Door Place in Newberg, as well at our HBA and HBF storage facilities. Plus, he is always there to pick up trash at the Portland Gun Club after our annual Trap Shoot. When asked what motivates him? Cowan modestly responded “We like to do our part. We like to help. “
Inspiration
The breakfast also updated our supporters about our newest projects. WeShine operates two “micro villages” of small sleeping pods, and has asked for HBF’s help with a third it is developing in North Portland. Founder Jan McManus explained how she feels many people experiencing homelessness have broken networks and connections, and she feels their small village model helps them reconnect. The latest project that will involve HBF is on the grounds of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, and will feature ten pods, with kitchen and restroom facilities in the church basement. Company of the Year Rick’s will supply labor and materials to build a fence around the property.
With the crowd inspired by the stories from dedicated volunteers and a service provider, sponsors Delap announced some additional gifts. Delap awarded $4,000 to Rick’s for supplies so their employees could build Hygiene Care Kits that will be given to people living outdoors. They awarded Cowan $1,000 to donate to the charity of his choice.
The Breakfast then kicked off a week- long fundraising drive. Delap offered a $7500 match for all donations to HBF over the next seven days. Supporters Pacific Crest Custom Cabinetry donated in $1,000, and Builders FirstSource $2500. By the end of the on-line drive, our supporters raised $12,800 to help fund our projects and volunteer events in the coming year. Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we anticipate having many more people to thank at our 9th annual event.