Westin, GHBA break ground in Lago Mar for charity fundraiser
Dozens of Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) members, including vendors and suppliers gathered at the Westin Homes model home in Lago Mar to help mark the official groundbreaking of the Greater Houston Builders Association Benefit Home, a GHBA charity fundraiser that benefits HomeAid Houston and Operation Finally Home.
Westin Homes and a number of guest speakers led the ceremony. From Westin Homes was Jason Golan, owner; David Dorn, vice president of operations; Phil Fruge, vice president of finance, and speaking to the guests was Patrick Mayhan, purchasing manager. From Land Tejas Communities, Lago Mar’s developer, were Al Brende, owner and co-founder; Jennifer Keller, president and chief operating officer and speaker, Tim Johnson, director of community sales and marketing. Also speaking was Benefit Homes’ chair Will Holder and GHBA President, Bo Butler.
Representing the charities were Lee Kirgan, vice president of construction for Operation Finally Home (OFH) and Izzy Hillyer a U.S. veteran. Hillyer shared his experience as a wounded veteran and recipient of a home built through OFH. HomeAid Houston was also on hand and guests heard from HomeAid’s president, Salty Thomason.
Each year two to three homes are built for the Benefit Homes Project with donated land, construction management, materials, labor and services by GHBA members. These homes are constructed with upgrade materials and features and are sold at market value.
The majority of the proceeds from the sale of the 2017 home will be donated to HomeAid Houston and Operation Finally Home. Since the project began 37 years ago, nearly $10 million has been raised.
“The groundbreaking was an excellent representation of the generous nature of the home-building industry,” said Will Holder. “Having all of the vendors, trades and suppliers on hand also shows their true commitment to helping those less fortunate.”
Westin is building its Carter III B Elevation plan for the project.
“When we reached out to our vendors and suppliers about contributing toward building our Carter III Plan, we received immediate responses in donations and heavily discounted offers of materials and labor,” said Patrick Mayhan. “A majority of our building partners have been involved with the Benefit Homes Project in the past, so there was a keen awareness of the overall mission.”
Construction on a second Benefit home has recently begun by Chesmar Homes in the Newland community of Elyson off Grand Parkway and FM 529. Newland Communities donated the homesite. Further details
Call the GHBA at 281970-8970 or visit www. ghba.org for information.