Pictured (L to R): HomeAid Houston Chair Cindy Hinson, Lennar Homes of Texas; Sharon Ward, Meridiana; Richard Elbein, The Alzheimer’s Association; Randy Barras, Trendmaker Homes; Dr. Ernest Fruge, Texas Children’s Cancer Center; Benefit Homes Chair Will Holder, Trendmaker Homes; Susan Leszczynski, Trendmaker Homes; Casey Morgan, GHBA CEO; Parke Patterson, 2016 GHBA president; and Dan Naef, Rise Communities.
GHBA members and guests celebrated the recent groundbreaking for Trendmaker Homes and Meridiana’s 2016 Benefit Home, a 36 year old GHBA fundraiser. Dark skies and torrential rain in the forecast did not stop the ceremony as everyone gathered at the Welcome Center at Meridiana with a dozen gold shovels in hand.
Trendmaker Homes is donating the construction management of its F501C Plan with a fourth bedroom option. Meridiana MPC, a Rise Communities development, is donating the homesite in the new 2,700 acre community, located south of the Texas Medical Center off Hwy 288 and Hwy 6.
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Each year two or 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 upgraded materials and features and are sold at market value. The majority of the proceeds from the sale are donated to three charities. This year the beneficiaries are Texas Children’s Cancer Center, the Alzheimer’s Association and HomeAid Houston. Since the project began 36 years ago, more than $9 million has been raised.
Trendmaker’s F501C plan front elevation
On-hand for the ground breaking were representatives from the entire Benefit Homes team. They included: 2016 Benefit Homes Project Chair Will Holder, Trendmaker Homes; Dan Naef, Rise Communities; Parke Patterson, 2016 GHBA president; Casey Morgan, GHBA CEO; Cindy Hinson, HomeAid Houston; Dr. Ernest Fruge, Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Centers; Richard Elbein, the Alzheimer’s Association of Houston and Southeast Texas; and vendors and trades who will be donating their materials and services to build the home.
Traveling billboard advertising the Benefit Homes Project throughout the community
The Meridiana Welcome Center was the venue for the groundbreaking ceremony, and a welcome respite from the rain!
Other attendees included Trendmaker and Meridiana staff, GHBA and HomeAid board members and GHBA staff.
“This is a huge day for the Benefit Homes Project,” said Holder. “It is exciting to kick off construction for a home that when sold, will benefit so many. Everyone here today is proud to take part in this ambitious effort.”
A second Benefit Home, built by Castletree Homes, is completed and was recently sold. Castletree built its 4540 D Plan on a homesite donated by Land Tejas in the community of Miramesa.
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