Building a Lifetime of Memories

Builders Blitz 2006

During the week of June 5 – 9, more than 1,000 building industry professionals joined forces with Habitat for Humanity affiliates to construct more than 400 houses in 130 communities across the nation in just five days during Home Builders Blitz 2006. One of the largest projects of its kind in the United States, this project provides affordable housing for low-income families, allowing them a unique opportunity to own their very own home. A total of nine homes were completed for the project in Houston.

Builders, subcontractors, suppliers and volunteers came together to obtain materials and professional labor for the week-long event. Heading up the project were Beazer Homes, Darling Homes, KB Home, Parkside Homes, Kimball Hill Homes, MHI Homes, Wilshire Homes, The GHBA Remodelors Council and the Custom Builders Council. Despite the heat and impending rain, GHBA members showed up by the truckload in a wonderful display of diligence, hard work and community spirit.

“Since this is the Home Builders Blitz, we were building next to many of our competitors, which has made for some fun competition with our Habitat homes!” said Susan Fendley of McGuyer Homebuilders Inc. “Nobody wants to be outdone by each other, so the results are some outstanding homes on the street. How exciting to be a Habitat family this week!”

Of special note were the homes of the built by the Custom Builders Council and Remodelors Council. Participating in this event was largest charitable project that either council has undertaken in GHBA history.

“We are so excited to be a part of such a wonderful project,” said 2006 RMC President Gil Boyles of GB General Contractors. “We couldn’t have accomplished a project of this magnitude without the generous support of our associate vendors and suppliers. A special thanks to everyone who stepped up to support this great cause.”

“The most thrilling part of the project was seeing the camaraderie between the teams,” said 2006 CBC President Rickey Davis of Highmark Homes. “I was impressed by the way everyone pitched in to help each other out. When you give back to the community, everyone wins.”

The Builders Blitz project concluded with a dedication ceremony held Friday afternoon. Each builder was given the opportunity to meet the family that would soon move into their new home and give them a tour. “It was so heart-warming to see the pride and joy of these new homeowners,” Fendley continued. “That was a very memorable part of the experience — actually getting to know the family who will be living in the home. It is especially significant to our employees that the home we are building is for a family from New Orleans who lost everything in the wake of the hurricane. The mother escaped the flooding with her 2-year old son by putting him on a mattress and floating him to safety. Now that they have decided to make Houston their permanent home, it is such a gratifying feeling for all of us to be able to help this family start over with a brand new home.”

A special thanks to the hundreds of GHBA members who donated countless thousands of dollars worth of time, material and labor to this project. The result will be a lifetime of memories for nine worthy families in their brand new homes.

For more information, visit www.ghba.org or http://www.habitat.org/buildersblitz/.

Click HERE to view more pictures from the Habitat for Humanity Builders Blitz 2006.