Home Builders Foundation Raises a Record $510,000 With In-Person Benefit

Portland, OR. The Home Builders Foundation (HBF) raised a record amount to help build and renovate shelters for those experiencing homelessness throughout the Portland metro area. The Building Hope Gala & Auction presented by California Closets was held on June 19th at Tumwater Vineyard in West Linn. Led by Honorary Chairs Gordon Root (seen above with his wife Tracy) and Rick Waible of Stafford Land Company, the benefit raised a record $510,000. (Photo credit, Andrea Lonas Photography) Covid-19 restrictions were lifted in Clackamas County just a week before the scheduled gala, so organizers were able to host 230 attendees outside for an evening of fundraising.

During the planning process, HBF event organizers decided to develop both an in-person event that was outdoors, as well as a virtual event as a backup plan and an option for those not comfortable attending events yet. The HBF staff and committee got to work and eventually held one of Portland’s first large hybrid fundraising events of the season.

In-person attendees had the opportunity to bid on live auction packages that included home renovation packages donated by industry members. These packages included a kitchen renovation from Macadam Floor & Design and Standard TV & Appliance, which sold as the Golden Ticket raffle prize and was donated again for the live auction, and a package to beautify the exterior of the home from Oregon Outdoor Lighting & The Wall.  Other live auction packages included unique experiences such as a bird hunt with Nate Bond & Brian Boggs of Ridge Crest Custom Cabinetry, a stay in the heart of wine country (which sold twice!), a whiskey collection put together by HBF’s Board of Directors, and the extremely popular Bucket List Trip, which sold 34 times and allowed each purchaser to travel to Iceland, Costa Rica or Tuscany.

While the in-person guests raised their paddles in support of Home Builders Foundation, virtual guests were treated to a special red carpet presentation with interviews from key sponsors and HBF’s non-profit shelter partners, as well as exclusive performances by Aaron Meyer, concert rock violinist formerly of Pink Martini.

After the conclusion of the live auction and the red carpet presentation, both in-person and virtual attendees learned about a life-changing shelter Home Builders Foundation helped build for the non-profit A Village For One, which dreamed of a healing home for young women escaping sexual exploitation.  HBF partnered with Jim Standring of Westland Industries as Builder Captain to construct Anisa’s Place, a six-bedroom home for these young women. Cassie Trahan of A Village For One shared with the audience the importance of shelters like theirs and the impact Home Builders Foundation and its partners in the home building industry.

The audience responded by raising their paddles high.  Right in the middle of the special appeal, to the audiences’ surprise, Gordon Root took the stage and announced a $50,000 match from the Jack & Wilma Root Trust.  Both in-person and virtual attendees answered by giving $58,000 in a matter of minutes, after which Gordon grabbed the mic and announced yet another surprise gift of $15,000 from Chad E. Davis Construction.  In total, the special appeal garnered $181,000 in donations.

From the Home Builders Foundation:

Funds raised at the Building Hope Gala & Auction benefit Home Builders Foundation, a Portland-based nonprofit that builds and remodels shelters for those experiencing homelessness in the Portland metro area. Home Builders Foundation focuses on building and renovating shelters for those who are most vulnerable when homeless, including families with children, youth, and domestic violence survivors. Home Builders Foundation completes shelter builds and renovations by leveraging donations from companies in the home building industry and providing cash grants to shelter providers to complete projects.

Home Builders Foundation would like to say a special thank you to Gordon Root and Rick Waible for the incredible leadership and support provided to the event. Home Builders Foundation would also like to thank all of the attendees, donors, volunteers, and the 2021 Auction Committee for their contributions to the event.

Home Builders Foundation would like to recognize all of the companies that sponsored this year’s Building Hope Gala & Auction: California Closets, Standard TV & Appliance, Builders FirstSource, Performance Insulation, Directors Mortgage, Milgard Windows & Doors, OrePac, NW Natural, Berkshire Hathaway, Metropolitan Land Group, Pacific Crest Building Supply, Lakeside Lumber, Adair Homes, Banner Bank, Eastbank Mortgage, First American Title, Holt Homes, IWP, Lennar, The Oregonian, Pamplin Media Group, PayneWest Insurance, Richmond American Homes, Royal Restrooms, and Tiffany Home Design.

The Home Builders Foundation, established in 1997, is the charity of choice for the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland. Their mission is to build transitional shelter for families and individuals experiencing homelessness in our community and provide construction related educational opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the home building industry. Visit www.BuildHopePDX.org for more info.