The National Housing Endowment Builder Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service was established in 2005 to honor builder, developer and remodeler members of the National Association of Home Builders for their exceptional philanthropic endeavors. Recognizing community service and charitable projects that are performed by the home building industry is essential to fostering awareness among consumers that reflects the generosity of home builders and their unwavering commitment to the communities they build.
Star Home Builders of Winder, Ga., received the Gold Award, with a $10,000 donation directed to the charity of their choice. The builder led the renovation of the Light Homeless Shelter, a $300,000, 40-bed, 5,000 square foot facility for the neediest citizens of their community.
Raleigh, N.C.'s Thomas Gipson Homes received the Silver Award, along with $5,000 donation. Thomas Gipson Homes led an organizational effort to expand the relationship between Habitat for Humanity and the building community to increase Habitat’s building capacity, resulting in the national Builders Blitz program.
Veridian Homes, located in Madison, Wis., received $2,500 for winning the Bronze Award. In 2006, Veridian’s charitable arm, the Veridian Foundation, donated more than $250,000 to 59 philanthropic organizations, including the Ellen & Peter Johnson Hospice Care Residence, where a special grieving room was built, and the Gathering Waters Conservancy, with whom Veridian partnered to protect Wisconsin’s land trusts.
Honorable Mention Winners
In addition to the top three winners, NAHB honored nine builders with Honorable Mention awards, including two new categories for Hurricane Katrina Relief and Iraq Veterans work. Each of these winners received $1,000 directed to the charity of their choice.
Desert View Homes, of El Paso, Texas, received the Gold Award, with a $10,000 donation directed to the charity of their choice. The builder developed two approaches to providing service to their local community. One focuses on the educational and economic situation in El Paso, and the other addresses specific social issues in the community. Both forms of service are channeled through non-profit organizations they created.
Silver Winner
Bethesda, Md.’s Winchester Homes received the Silver Award, along with $5,000 donation. Winchester Homes celebrated 25 years of operation with their 25 Acts of Charity Program. The intention was for every employee to donate both their time and labor to one of the 25 selected charitable activities. More than 55 Winchesteremployees participated in the program, in addition to more than 100 subcontractors and suppliers.
Bronze Winner
Lexington Homes, located in New Port Richey, Fla., received $2,500 for winning the Bronze Award. In 2005, the builder united 450 organizations from six states to complete 10 community service projects. The volunteer work spanned four counties and totaled more than $1 million dollars.
Honorable Mention Winners
In addition to the top three winners, NAHB honored five builders with Honorable Mention awards. Each of these winners received $1,000 directed to the charity of their choice.
