Good Neighbor Awards
Jacksonville Homebuyer and Northeast Florida Builders Association Proudly Salute Builders and Developers Who Are Making a Difference.
By Editorial Staff
Once again inspired by the generosity of spirit that builders and developers display on an ongoing basis, the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA) and Jacksonville Homebuyer have announced the third annual Good Neighbor Award recipients. This year, there are 21 companies being recognized, including several newcomers. And as always, it wasn't difficult to find winners. Local builders have spearheaded construction of show-case homes for charity, raised funds for children's organizations, built shelters for the homeless and awarded scholar-ships to students. Indeed, virtually every major nonprofit in the region has benefited from the support of the homebuilding industry. In some cases, entire projects and programs have been underwritten by builders. So, it would be impossible to highlight all the good deeds of our Good Neighbor Award-winning companies. Many give back to the community so often and automatically that a more comprehensive treatment would require a prohibitive number of pages. And of course, the builders and developers honored would be unable to do nearly as much or to be nearly as effective without the help of trade partners, who willingly donate materials and services for many of the projects described on the following pages. Consequently, the following descriptions include only highlights. Still, even an abbreviated list makes it clear that Jacksonville's homebuilding industry makes an incalculable contribution to the region's quality of life in all its aspects. ?
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GOOD WORKS: Beazer Homes contributed time, money and construction services to Jacksonville-based Seamark Ranch, a permanent home for abandoned and abused children, and recently completed construction of Seamark's first residence for boys between the ages of six and 16. Beazer has also been an active participant in NEFBA's Builders Care and in HabiJax, the regional affiliate for Habitat for Humanity. The company holds quarterly drives for the Florida-Georgia Blood Alliance and sponsors children's baseball teams and cheerleading squads. Beazer Homes also supports Daniel Memorial, a residential program for troubled children, the American Red Cross and Community Hospice. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "Beazer Homes believes that good communities foster good neighborhoods. Beazer Homes does not shy away from helping worthy causes and gets employees involved by allowing them to volunteer time during the work week to benefit others. There are always ways to give, and Beazer takes full advantage of those opportunities." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Brylen Homes presented Fernandina Middle School with a network version of "Building Homes of Our Own," an interactive teaching tool specifically designed for the middle school and high school. Developed by the National Association of Home Builders as part of a comprehensive educational outreach initiative, the program blends key concepts from math, science, social studies and language arts. The company also built two HabiJax homes at McNair Park during last summer's Builder Blitz. A total of 30 new homes were built on the 19-acre site. Brylen is also a member of St. Johns Vision, a nonprofit organization that seeks to identify and address issues, such as environmental preservation, that may impact St. Johns County residents over the next five to 15 years.? In addition, the company continues to support NEFBA's Builders Care projects. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "At Brylen Homes we strive to provide innovative design and quality construction on every project that bears our name-including pro bono and nonprofit work.? Our primary focus is maintaining a healthy relation-ship with the individuals and the communities our efforts ultimately benefit." ?
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GOOD WORKS:? Cordele Builders undertook two extremely important and personal charitable projects. First, the company partnered with NEFBA's Builders Care to help renovate the home of injured motorcyclists John and Michelle Bell. Owners Patrick and Michael Murphy donated labor, materials and money to make the Bell family home handicapped-accessible. Second, the company partnered with Fred and Sharon Funk and the PGA Tour to build a new, wheelchair-accessible home for Jerry "JT" Townsend, a former two-sport starter at Jacksonville's Episcopal High School who sustained a paralyzing spinal-chord injury during a football game. The home carries the moniker "Freedom House" in honor of Townsend's fighting spirit and enduring willpower. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "Cordele doesn't participate in community service projects for the sole purpose of gaining recognition or winning awards, but instead, participates in order to build, support and strengthen the communities, neighbor-hoods and relationships in which so many people have invested so much. Cordele embraces families in Northeast Florida and will continue participating in a wide range of community service activities that expand horizons and help the less fortunate." ?
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GOOD WORKS: CornerStone Homes spearheaded construction of the 3,230-square-foot "Give Hope a Home" showhouse in MuraBella. Once the home was sold, 100 percent of the proceeds -or $186,000-went to the Donna Hicken Foundation, which helps low-income and uninsured breast cancer patients and their families with medical expenses and other basic needs. The "Give Hope a Home" donation was the single largest contribution The Donna Hicken Foundation has ever received, and helped the Foundation surpass the $1 million mark in total donations. CornerStone has also been an active participant in NEFBA's Builders Care projects and helps support Daniel Memorial and HabiJax. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "CornerStone Homes recognizes that it has helped to create communities in which people raise families, pursue their dreams and enjoy the benefits of their many years of hard work. This recognition is at the heart of CornerStone Homes' proud role in not only creating communities, but in giving back to those communities as well." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Villa Medici, developed by Crosswinds National and ContraVest partnered with the Children's Home Society of Jacksonville for a holiday gift donation program that garnered two truckloads of toys and raised awareness for the charity. Also for the holidays, the staff of Villa Medici adopted five families for whom they purchased, wrapped and delivered gifts in addition to providing Christmas dinner. Villa Medici sponsored a float in the Gator Bowl Parade that carried a group of girls from the Girls Incorporated charity. The parade raised awareness for the charity and was a special treat for the young people who participated. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "As a leader in our industry, Crosswinds National supports the communities where we do business, whether it's contributing financial support or leadership for local charities." ?
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GOOD WORKS: The Davidson Companies spearhead an array of activities to benefit Community Alliance Funding Education (CAFƒ), a nonprofit organization co-founded by Sherry Davidson that aids public schools in northwest St. Johns County. For example, more than 360 runners and walkers participated in the second annual Davidson Realty 5K Run at World Golf Village, raising $5,450 for CAFƒ. In addition, the 2006 CAFƒ Golf Tournament raised $20,000 for Mill Creek Elementary. Last year the company also planned and co-sponsored the first Sporting Clays Classic, raising $2,700 for the Betty Griffin House of St. Johns County, a nonprofit organization that pro-vides temporary shelter and counseling to battered women and children. The Davidson Companies also participated in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica event, which raised more than $85,000. And The Neighborhoods of World Golf? Village presented a Spring Home Tour, raising $1,400 for "Dreams Come True." Also, Sherry Davidson won five medals in the fourth annual Ladies Charity Skeet Classic, held in Memphis. The fundraiser, which is the only all-women skeet shoot in the country, raised $75,000 for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "Under the leadership of Jim and Sherry Davidson, the Davidson Companies -Davidson Realty and Davidson Development-are strong believers in corporate social responsibility and the philosophy of sharing their success by helping others." ?
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GOOD WORKS: D.R. Horton Homes completed construction of the William R. and Francis B. Barnett Children's Building, which benefits residents of the I. M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless. In addition, the company continued its sponsorship of the Salvation Army's annual "Angel Tree" children's toy drive and participated in NEFBA's Builders Care projects, including renovating substandard homes and donating baskets for the "Adopt-a-Grandma" holiday program. D.R. Horton also supported school-sponsored athletic programs and teams. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "For D.R. Horton Homes, giving back is integral to our philosophy of doing business. That's because building communities means more than building homes; it means strengthening families, helping the less fortunate and bolstering organizations that help to improve the region's quality of life." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Engle Homes began a partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Florida on the organization's annual Charity Golf Tournament, held at Palencia Golf & Country Club. The company sponsored and helped organize and run the event, which raised a record $80,000. Engle also participated in three remodeling projects through NEFBA's Builders Care and HabiJax. At Thanksgiving, the company's employees collected 400 pounds of food, magazines and other items that were shipped to military units stationed in Iraq. Employees also participated in fundraisers for Daniel Memorial and the American Heart Association, collected Christmas toys to be distributed to youngsters through the local Guardian Ad Litem program and supported school athletic programs through sponsorships and donations. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "Engle Homes associates are eager to give back to the communities in which they live, work and play by donating their time and talents. Whether through services, finances or goods, Engle Homes wholly supports the generosity and dedication of its associates in their contributing to those in need." ?
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GOOD WORKS: All ICI Homes' employees participate in at least one charitable building project each year, and have donated time, talent and money to hundreds of worthwhile causes. In addition, the company has renovated several homes for NEFBA's Builders Care, including the landmark 500th home. ICI's team-building days, such as a recent Bowl-A-Thon, are designed to raise money for charity through team pledges. Beneficiaries have included Second Harvest Food Bank, Betty Griffin House, Toys for Tots, Kessler Mentoring and Daniel Memorial. North Florida Division President Don Wilford serves on the board of directors for the Inside/Outside program, which operates a residential facility and offers mentoring for juvenile males serving time in county jail for committing adult crimes. For his work, Wilford was named "Mentor of the Year" by the state attorney's office. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "ICI Homes has an honored and proud tradition that is based on giving back to the community and the industry. This generous philosophy starts at the top and flows to every employee. Together, we can make a difference." ?
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GOOD WORKS: During the HabiJax Builder Blitz, KB Home built new homes for Joanne Pinkney, an elderly woman raising her granddaughter, and Douglas Crankfield, a disabled veteran. In addition, the company has participated in virtually every initiative sponsored by NEFBA's Builders Care, including "Adopt a Grandma" and "Home from the Heart," as well as volunteer work days and the organization's annual bass tournament. KB Home has also provided furniture for needy families and for social service organizations such as Trinity Rescue Mission. The company also donated time, talent and money to Wolfson Children's Hospital, Daniel Memorial, the Jacksonville Fair Housing Symposium, the American Cancer Society, the American Legion, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, First Tee of St. Johns County, Guardian Dreams, Hubbard House, Pedro Menendez High School and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "As providers of the American Dream, it's important for KB Home to be a positive and active member of the communities in which we build. Corporate philanthropy is an important focus for our company and an integral part of our business model. We have embraced initiatives that provide safer neighborhoods and offer educational opportunities and cul-tural enhancements to the community." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Each December, the Lennar Homebuilding, Land and Financial Services divisions replace the usual corporate holiday party with a "Focused Acts of Caring" event. This past December, company employees gathered at Jacksonville Memorial Stadium to help provide a holi-day full of food, fun and gifts for 21 "Dreams Come True" recipients. The children not only received bags of presents but also had their pictures taken with Matt Jones and Maurice Williams of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lennar also supports HabiJax and NEFBA's Builders Care. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "At Lennar, we believe in 'doing the right thing for the right reasons' and that we are responsible for giving back to our community, quietly and without fanfare-not just by donating money but to give of our time and of our hearts, on a continuing and connected basis, to help make our community a better place and to help those who may not be able to help themselves." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Matovina & Company contributed heavily to the Trinity Rescue Mission Women and Children's Center, helping to raise more than $1 million in cash and in-kind donations for construction of the new facility. In addition, the company donated $100,000 in cash, organized its subcontractors to provide site work at no charge and led a "Raise the Roof" effort, during which 200 volunteers framed the building in just two days. Matovina & Company also raised $56,000 from developers to pay for the lot on which Providence Homes is building the "Home from the Heart" showhouse, the sale of which benefits NEFBA's Builders Care. In addition, the company sup-ports NEFBA's Builders Care by matching employee contributions through a "$2 Club." President Greg Matovina chairs Greater Jacksonville Communities, a NEFBA-related nonprofit organization concentrating on spurring redevelopment of the blighted area surrounding Edward Waters College. Matovina has also served on the Mayor's Growth Management Task Force, the land committee for Beaches Habitat and on the boards of directors for HabiJax and NEFBA's Builders Care. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "All that we have comes from God, which makes it easy to give back what he has provided for us." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Mercedes Homes's motto is "Do It RITE," which is an acronym for Respect, Integrity, Trust and Ethics. The company applies these values to the operation of the business as well as to community service. Last year Mercedes led a team of volunteers in building a home for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In addition, the company built a home during Habitat for Humanity's St. Johns/St. Augustine Builder Blitz and built a playground for the Trinity Rescue Mission Women and Children's Center. Mercedes employees participated in the "Light the Night Walk" for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the "Buddy Walk" for the National Down Syndrome Society. Plus, the company held several food drives for Daniel Memorial and co-chaired "Holiday in the Hamptons," a fundraiser for the Monique Burr Foundation that netted $200,000. The company sponsored a holiday concert that will help fund construction of a Habitat home for a young woman who is single-handedly raising five younger brothers and sisters as well as her own child. For these and many other initiatives, the Mercedes Homes Jacksonville Division will receive one of the eight National? Housing Endowment Builder Achievement Awards for Outstanding Community Service at the 2007 International Builders' Show in Orlando. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "While the Mercedes Homes Jacksonville Division is only now 56 employees strong, the giving generosity of every employee-whether of time, talent or money-far exceeds anyone's expectations. Every employee in the Jacksonville Division is in some way involved in a volunteering effort throughout the year." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Morrison Homes and its employees helped build several homes for needy families during the HabiJax Builder Blitz and, along with its trade partners, created a "Dream Playhouse" for a sick child. Employees also participated in the "Moonlight & Martinis" gala, which benefited the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In addition, the company supported Toys for Tots and contributed to the Patricia Abril Memorial Fund, named for a homebuyer who was killed in an automobile accident. And, when Hurricane Katrina struck, Morrison Homes donated and sold its model-home furniture, along with a variety of services and outings, at a fund-raising auction for the American Red Cross. Through the company's annual summer picnic, employees also raised more than $8,000-an amount that was matched by its corporate office-for hurricane relief. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "At Morrison Homes, we firmly believe in making a positive impact on the communities in which we operate. We donate our time, energy and money to organizations we feel will help the quality of life of the residents within our communities. We choose to support multiple causes in order to help numerous charitable organizations." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Palencia, Hines' master-planned community in St. Johns County, held its annual Holiday Showhouse event to benefit Trinity Rescue Mission, raising $5,000 and collecting toys and food. Palencia also teamed up with NEFBA and St. Johns River Community College to sponsor a "Student Day" event, during which dozens of high-school students from throughout the region learned about apprenticeship opportunities and received a behind-the-scenes look at the homebuilding process. In addition, the "Palencia Pops Under the Stars" event raised more than $40,000 for the Jacksonville Symphony Guild. Hines' master-planned community also gave away more than $5,000 in golf certificates and other gifts to charities while establishing an environmental stewardship program in conjunction with the St. Johns County Cooperative Extension Service. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "As one of the most renowned developments in St. Johns County, Palencia possesses an acute sensitivity to the needs of its neighbors. Whether it's the donation of time, materials or money, Palencia makes an effort to ensure that its success is reflected in its generosity toward local organizations and civic groups." ?
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GOOD WORKS: The Pineapple Corporation continued its support of the Northeast Florida Cystic Fibrosis Foundation by serving as presenting sponsor for the Foundation's largest fundraising event, "Moonlight Martinis." In addition, the company recruited other sponsors for the event. The Pineapple Corporation was also the presenting sponsor at The Lending Group 65 Roses Golf Tournament to support cystic fibrosis research and donated artwork for an auction held in conjunction with the tourney. The company also supports Junior Achievement, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the American Cancer Society, the Daniel Foundation, Friends of Fletcher, HabiJax and Episcopal High School through donations and volunteer hours. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "The Pineapple Corporation believes that giving back to the community in an important aspect of being a good corporate citizen. The company is concerned about how people live and strives to make their lives better. In order to live its philosophy, The Pineapple Corporation donates its time and financial resources to support a variety of worthwhile charitable causes." ?
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GOOD WORKS: In 2006, Providence Homes partnered with NEFBA's Builders Care to build the 2,580-square-foot "Home from the Heart" showhouse in Greenland Chase. All net proceeds from the sale of the home-or $191,360-benefited NEFBA's Builders Care. In addition, the company supports the Salvation Army, the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, the United Way of North Florida, the Monique Burr Foundation for Children and the City Rescue Mission. The company's global outreach includes assisting the International Community Foundation, the International Fellowship, HOPE International, and the Lemuel Foundation, which supports a school in Haiti. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "Providence Homes believes firmly in giving back to the community through involvement with numerous faith-based organizations and community service programs. Faith, a pillar on which Providence Homes was founded, is not limited to domestic boundaries. For that reason, the company participates in numerous projects aimed at helping the less fortunate on a local, regional, national and global scale." ?
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GOOD WORKS:? Ryland Homes sponsored and participated in the "Light the Night Walk," raising more than $1,600 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The company also participated in the HabiJax Builder Blitz at McNair Park, building a home in four-and-a-half days for a single mother and her child. Ryland employees also contributed money to help the new homeowner buy a lawn mower and furnishings. Over the holidays, the company held a food drive for the Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs and donated gifts to families living at the I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless. Ryland also supports activities for young people, donating funds to Lakeside Elementary School's "Raise the Roof" project and sponsoring the Ridgeview High School Softball team and the Fleming Island High School yearbook. Other athletic programs sponsored by Ryland throughout the city include the Clay Police Activities Baseball League, Share the Y Campaign, Team Jax Girls Fast Pitch Softball and Creeks Softball. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "The more we can give back to the community, the more our city will thrive. That helps our customers, our employees and our neighbors." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Trident Realty Corp has focused much of its attention on projects benefiting the Northeast Florida Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The company donated $30,000 to the foundation and, for the third year, served as title sponsor for the "Moonlight Martinis" gala, which raised more than $165,000 for medical research. In addition, Trident donated $2,050 to the foundation that it raised during a grand opening event. The gala has raised more than $300,000 since Trident's involvement began. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "By focusing the majority of our efforts on one organization (the Northeast Florida Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation), we believe we have a better opportunity to make a profound impact on those fighting the disease in hopes of finding a cure." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Watson Custom Home Builders partnered with WTEV, CBS47, The LandMar Group, TL Concepts and a number of local vendors to present the "CBS47 Dream Home," a $1.3 million, 4,000-square-foot showhouse located on a premium homesite in the Marsh View Estates of North Hampton. Proceeds raised from home tours benefited The Monique Burr Foundation for Children, which provides abuse prevention education with the "Good Touch/Bad Touch" program to more than 16,000 youngsters each year. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "Watson Custom Home Builders seeks to contribute to charities in which it has a strong passion for helping such as educating and providing opportunities for those interested in joining the building industry and educating children in abuse prevention." ?
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GOOD WORKS: Woodside Homes sponsored a HabiJax home and supported NEFBA's Builders Care with donations of money, materials and labor. During the holiday season, the company adopted three families from Angel Works, an organization that assists families with terminally ill or handicapped children. Woodside employees donated Christmas dinners for the families as well as gifts for the children. In addition, Woodside supports the American Cancer Society, the Safe Harbor Boys Home, Project S.O.S. (Save Our Schools), Daniel Memorial, "Adopt-a-Grandma," the American Lung Association and numerous other schools and outreach programs. CORPORATE PHILOSOPHY: "Woodside Homes believes whole-heartedly that giving back to the community is more than a corporate responsibility. It is the pulse of their company. Together, the Woodside Homes' team participates throughout the year in philanthropic activities helping those less fortunate achieve their dreams." ?
