Executive Director & CEO Corner
Over 21 years, we’ve completed more than 170 projects. That adds up to a lot of Builder Captains who have led the projects, along with an incalculable amount of paint, flooring, lighting, roofing, appliances, HVAC systems, electrical and plumbing, cabinetry, and fixtures. All of it is thanks to hundreds of trade partners, manufacturers, and suppliers who have installed and donated over $13 million worth of products, labor, and expertise to make our mission possible. It’s no understatement to say that we couldn’t do the projects without them, and I can’t wait to thank and celebrate them at next week’s Builders & Friends BBQ. Many trades have come back for two or more projects with us, and when you consider that any one project usually has between 10 and 50 trades working on it, it’s a lot of companies and individuals to thank! I’ve felt equally gratified that, as we’ve expanded into new territories, we’ve met and welcomed new trade partners, all of whom are equally enthusiastic to work with us and help advance our mission. Ultimately, as with everything HomeAid does, it’s not just flooring, paint, or an HVAC unit our partners are providing. Rather, they’re helping us change lives, where kids are given more fruitful paths and opportunities, where adults can find peace and safety after coming out of incarceration or domestic violence, and where families and individuals are provided shelter until they can get back on their feet. Our community’s needs are growing, but so are we … and so is our team of trade partners. Please join me in thanking and celebrating them at our BBQ on June 15!
With gratitude,
In the Spotlight
Builders and Friends BBQ is Next Week
Have you registered for HomeAid’s Builders & Friends BBQ yet? It’s in just another week, on Thursday, June 15 at 4:00 p.m., at the National Botanic Garden in South Riding, and we’d love to see you there! Join us for great food, live music provided by Acoustic Soul, cold brew from Starr Hill, and the absolute best chance to network with and celebrate our region’s leading builders and trade partners.
Play some cornhole; enter in raffles for great prizes, including the always-popular wheelbarrow of beer; enjoy a delicious, all-you-can-eat BBQ; and be a part of our most popular Summer event!
Attention, Builder Captains & Trade Partners: If you participated in a HomeAid project between July 2022 and now, you get TWO FREE tickets to the BBQ. Contact Julianna Blaylock to reserve your tickets today.
In the Neighborhood
Last Chance for Builders for Babies!
We have one final week to reach – and hopefully exceed – our goal of collecting 200,000 diapers and wipes for our 2023 Builders for Babies! Please help our community’s moms and babies by shopping our Amazon Wish list by June 18; all purchases will be shipped directly to us, and volunteers will distribute them to our nonprofit partners in need.
Remember, diapers cost an average of $1000 per baby per year, and most federal assistance programs don’t cover the cost of diapers and wipes. Lack of diapers can also affect a child or family’s education and ability to work. Most daycares and early education programs require a full days worth of diapers. Without diapers, children and parents can miss out on education opportunities, as parents can be forced to stay home from work or school without access to childcare. The need for diapers can also lead to health concerns when babies are left too long in soiled diapers. Dirty diapers can then make us sick and spread hepatitis A and viral meningitis, among many other illnesses that are a danger to the baby’s and family’s health. Please help keep our community’s youngest stay comfortable and healthy by filling your cart with diapers of all sizes today!
In Your Community
Celebrating Mobile Hope
We love celebrating the completion of a project, and on June 2, we hosted an Open House at Mobile Hope to reveal our latest completed project. The converted machine shed is now a beautiful new retail store and donation center, Threads of Hope, which will provide workforce development skills to at-risk youth up to age 24, as well as help fund crisis programs. Led by Builder Captain The Knutson Companies and a team of 21 trade partners, renovations of the space included adding walls to help partition off dressing rooms, bathrooms, and a breakout space, as well as outfitting the entire space with utilities such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water, and sewer.
Thank you to all involved in this project – we’re proud to be a part of a program that provides such important services and a beautiful new setting to train youth in customer service, merchandising, clothes sorting, sales reconciliation, and retail management.
Support Spotlight
The Power to Do Good
Faron Lee, president of Southern Electrical Service Co., Inc. has been a steady partner for countless nonprofits in the region, most recently working on HomeAid’s Mobile Hope project. By regularly donating their time and expertise to charities like Habitat for Humanity, Homes for our Troops, Hero Homes, Loudoun Hunger Relief, Tree of Life, JK Community Farm, Loudoun Fraternal Order of Police, and many other local community organizations, it’s always a seamless process when Southern Electrical joins our team of trade partners on a project. Read on to find out why Faron has made community service such a big part of his company’s philosophy!
Q: Southern Electrical is a wonderful partner; what inspired you to say “yes!” to HomeAid?
A: We are committed to serving our community, and this of course includes giving back. From the first time I read about the Mobile Hope project, I felt excited about its mission. I remember saying aloud as I read more about them, ‘I want to be a part of this organization’s work.’ They work tirelessly to reach youth experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness in Loudoun County and provide skillsets and jobs to help make them successful contributors to our community. I actually picked up the phone and asked for a meeting to find out how we could be a part of their trade school training program – I really believe in what they’re doing, as investing in our youth and feeding the hungry is an investment in our future. I believe providing hope restores the soul.
Q: What would you say to others considering volunteering?
A: When it is within your power to do good, do not withhold it! Community, and volunteering, have life-changing powers, and we encourage everyone to be a part of helping in the community. Being a part of something and giving what you can where you can is important. The rewards of doing so are immeasurable.
Q: What do you love most about your career and the homebuilding industry in general?
A: Southern Electrical has been in business for 60 years, founded by my father and mother from our home in Point of Rocks, MD, while raising my five siblings and me. My parents understood what it meant to serve in word and deed and were examples of that in our home and business. I continue that same philosophy, and I love the win-win of our business. I appreciate the opportunity of providing electrical services to our local businesses and neighbors, and with so much change in Loudoun County since 1965, it is very satisfying to bring the latest technology and services to our community while providing income for the 200 families we employ through our business. Whether it’s for your convenience, necessity, or relief, we love to bring solutions that help our customers.
Announcements
Combined Art Show Diaper Drive
We frequently say there are countless ways to support HomeAid, and on Sunday, June 4, a combined art show diaper drive proved our point! Big thanks to DC Prime in Ashburn, VA who hosted the local artists (Tiphanie Forst, Laura Bienert, and Justin Vargis) who participated in the fabulously fun and successful event. They not only encouraged guests to participate in the diaper drive by purchasing or donating, but they also donated proceeds of their art sales to various charities – including HomeAid – and donated proceeds from a raffle to us. Thank you to everyone involved for sharing your generous hearts and beautiful art with us!
Boldness in Business
We are delighted to announce that HomeAid National Capital Region has been named a Finalist of the 2023 Moxie Award in recognition for having demonstrated boldness and innovation as an integral part of our growth strategy. Winners will be announced at the Moxie Award Ceremony & Dinner on October 25, 2023, at The Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner, VA, where we will join in a night of celebration and connections as we honor the accomplishments and achievements of growing businesses, nonprofits and associations in the DC metro community.
Arts in the Park
Attention, case managers! HomeAid National Capital Region will again be hosting Arts in the Park on August 5, 2023, at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, where nonprofit partner clients and families will enjoy Penguin Goes to Flight School, performed by Vital Theatre Company. Staff & clients will receive admission to the Show and a boxed lunch, and children in attendance will receive a gift card to purchase school supplies and a new backpack. Free parking will also be available. Please contact Julianna Blaylock to reserve tickets for staff and clients who will attend – we want to avoid “no shows” as much as possible to give more people a chance to attend this special event!
Upcoming Events
Builders for Babies Diaper Drive
May 14 to June 18, 2023
Builders and Friends BBQ
June 15, 2023 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
North Lake Pavilion National Botanic Garden
26320 Ticonderoga Road South Riding, VA 20152
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