2024 Council of the Year
The Greater Cedar Rapids Housing & Building Association Remodelers Council is 2024’s NAHB Remodelers Council of the Year. Since 2018, the council has been bringing their community together to support local non-profit organizations at the hugely successful Remodelers Night Out for Charity. What started as a way for the Remodelers Council to network, unwind and do a little good has evolved into a massive annual outreach opportunity that has raised between $16,000 and $20,000 each year for dozens of charities in the Greater Cedar Rapids area. The total of funds raised at the 2024 event outstripped all past years, garnering a whopping $27,858 in net proceeds. Chosen non-profits receive more than just a check, too; they are also invited to share their missions with members at the HBA’s Annual Meeting dinner.
The success of the Greater Cedar Rapids HBA Remodelers Council and its landmark charity event are due, in large part, to enthusiastic, proactive leadership. The Remodelers Night Out for Charity could not happen without a committee of ten members and the HBA’s Executive Officer. This committee is responsible for collecting sponsorships, gathering raffle prizes, deciding which charities the money raised will support and staffing the event on the day of. Of course, council members also play a huge role. Event sponsors must be council members, which not only keeps the event free for attendees but also contributes to the council’s membership as more remodelers join out of a desire to give back to the organizations that build their community. Since the first Remodelers Night Out, the council has nearly doubled in size, from around 50 members to almost 90.
The Greater Cedar Rapids HBA Remodelers Council has shown that, with enthusiastic leaders and passionate members, one great initiative can have a far-reaching, multi-faceted impact.
