Donor Spotlight

HD Supply and the Orlando Magic Sponsor 4 Habitat Orlando Homes Through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program

While times are tough for most businesses, there are programs in place to encourage Florida organizations to engage in charitable giving. One such program is the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program (CCTCP). Locally, HD Supply and the Orlando Magic have committed to sponsor three homes with Habitat for Humanity Orlando using the CCTCP.

HD Supply’s contribution will sponsor two homes at Stag Horn Villas. The Orlando Magic will fund one home. The CCTCP allows qualified organizations to pay the construction costs of a Habitat home and dedicate volunteer hours to the build; the organization or business can then submit a request to receive the amount of their donation returned in the form of a tax credit or refund.

Both HD Supply and Orlando Magic employees have also committed to volunteering on the Stag Horn construction site – working alongside the families who will benefit from the funding. These contributions will help underwrite construction expenses for the fifth building at Stag Horn Villas. The 58-unit townhome community is Habitat for Humanity Orlando’s most ambitious and first multifamily development to date. So far, 16 families have moved into Stag Horn Villas; the project is slated for completion in spring 2012.

Exit Realty Corp. International Donates $100,000

Realtors from EXIT Real Estate Results, a franchise of EXIT Realty Corp. International, volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Orlando to help construct a Stag Horn Villas townhome building during the month of January, 2010. More than 40 local employees helped during the build, complementing the $100,000 home sponsorship donation from EXIT Realty Corp. International.

“Both Habitat for Humanity and EXIT Realty share a common focus: putting families in homes,” said Janice Petteway, local franchise owner of EXIT Real Estate Results. “Habitat goes above and beyond to make sure their families are successful. Through educational classes, they teach homebuyers how to be responsible homeowners. It’s a wonderful organization.”

EXIT Real Estate Results realtors will contribute to Stag Horn Villas’ fourth building. Stag Horn Villas is Habitat Orlando’s most ambitious homebuilding effort to date. The $8 million, 58-townhome community is slated for completion in 2012. In addition, each unit adheres to energy-efficient regulations to earn an Energy Star rating.

“We are blessed to receive support – both in volunteers and the home sponsorship – from EXIT Realty Corp. and the local franchise, EXIT Real Estate Results,” said Dee Danmeyer, executive director for Habitat for Humanity Orlando. “Their home sponsorshipallows us to continue our mission of building homes for hardworking Central Florida families.”

Annunciation Catholic Church Sponsors the Darling Family

The Annunciation Catholic Church has recently partnered with Habitat Orlando to rehabilitate a foreclosed home for the Darling Family. Not only are they covering the new construction costs and volunteering on site but they are also  obaining in-kind donations from several local organizations to help lower overal costs.

Flooring HQ donated the flooring for the home, Milcarsky's Appliance Centre' and Classic Dental donated the appliances, RKL Painting donated the interior and exterior paint, J&J Security donated the instalation services for a security system, and Athen's Cafe donated food for the hungry parisheners as they worked tirelessly on the Darling home. Several individual donors make financial committments as well including Mr. & Mrs. Joe Moreland.

THANK YOU to everyone that helped make this possible.

Southern Company's 3rd Annual Golf Tournament

A leading U.S. producer of electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and is a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. The local Southen Company team has hosted a golf tournament to benefit Habitat Orlando for the past three years. Held at Eagle Creek, this year's tounament raised almost $9,000 making the three year total raised from Southern Company Golf Tournaments over $24,000!

Sincere THANKS to our friends at Southern Company!

UCF Knights Building Hope

For years, an array of student-led groups, clubs and organizations at the University of Central Florida have partnered with Habitat for Humanity Orlando to help build homes for local families. But, beginning this semester, their efforts will be consolidated under the same roof – thanks to UCF’s very own Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter.

The new chapter was founded by students Conrad Kahn, Marc Garreau, Jason Lewis and Samuel Boundy, who decided to form the group last year, after they participated in Habitat for Humanity’s “Collegiate Challenge.” The four of them spent their Spring Break building homes in six states – along with 80-plus students from across the country – all of whom contributed long hours of manual labor during a time when many of their peers were relaxing on the beach.

“The new UCF Habitat chapter will not only increase awareness of the need for affordable housing, but also help educate Central Florida on what Habitat Orlando is doing to help local families achieve the American Dream of home ownership,” said Dee Danmeyer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity Orlando. “We’re excited about working with university students both now and in the future as they become Habitat leaders, supporters and board members.”

Orlando Community Embraces the Olivieri Family

Damian Olivieri and his wife Luz have 8 children. Their family had a long history of residential instability before Habitat, moving over 13 times in the last 10 years. With the help of several local sponsors the Olivieri family is now living in the first home they are proud to call their own. Not only is this the first home they have owned but it was the largest Habitat Orlando has ever build with 6 bedrooms to accomidate the entire large family.

Charles Schwab Foundation, First United Methodist Church Of Orlando, Hardin Construction Company, LLC, James E. Jardon II, Jardon and Howard Technologies, Inc, Kevin Morris, Orlando Decorative Concrete, Inc., Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc., Rosen Hotels & Resorts, Wells Fargo Foundation and Samantha Zaino all contributed finacial gifts that make the construction of the Olivieri home possible.

Marilyn Jusino accepting the kiys to her families new home at their home dedication ceremony.

Habitat Benefits from Event at Tradewinds

A party for 150 invited guests at Tradewinds, the 2008 Builders Magazine Show Home in Baldwin Park, yielded $12,175 for Habitat for Humanity Orlando. The party was sponsored by Baldwin Park Development Company and Charles Clayton Construction, each of which pledged an amount sufficient to supply lumber for one Habitat home.

Guests had the opportunity to make contributions in varying amounts to cover the costs of building materials - a box of nails ($25), a front door ($150), windows for a home ($1,100). The Tradewinds house, located on Lake Susannah near the Baldwin Park Village Center is offered for sale at $5,244,000.

back row –Stewart Dary - OUC, Paul Pistulka – Charles Clayton Construction, Greg Allen – Habitat staff, Charlie Clayton – Charles Clayton Construction, front row - Habitat staff - Dave Meyer, Jennifer Gallagher, Liz Alicea-Madera, Dee Danmeyer, Lynn Ivanek, Terry Eckert

Cypress Creek High School Hosts Talent Show to support Habitat

On February 8, 2008, The Active Service Club of Cypress Creek High School raised $2,500 for Habitat Orlando at the third annual  Bear Rock Live! Talent Show. Acts ranging from a mystery-juggling guest to raging rock bands to tantalizing Polynesian dancing adorned the Cypress Creek High School Performing Arts Center. 

Students Kristin Mollan, Harold Hamann, Brian Rochet and Nicole Curren organized the event, with the support of Mr. Jeff Oswald, Active Service Club sponsor.  The students next goal is to raise $100,000 to sponsor a home in Staghorn Villas, Habitat Orlando's first townhome community scheduled to break ground this summer. Below is a photo of the check presentation at the school, with Lynn Ivanek, Habitat Orlando's Development Director.

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