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Habitat Bucks Gala Features “Upcycling” and Raises $110,000 to Support Homeownership and Home Repair Programs in Bucks County Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s recent fundraising gala raised $110,000 to support Habitat’s affordable homeownership and home repair programs that benefit local families. The evening included a silent auction, live auction and an appeal for donations. The 250 guests at the gala gave a standing ovation to the Habitat homeowner family who shared the inspiring story of their journey from Columbia and how affordable homeownership helped them achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they needed to build a better future. The event also honored two of Habitat’s dedicated community partners, The Leff Family Foundation (Partner of the Year) and Penn Community Bank (Spirit of Habitat Award). A unique aspect of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County’s Hard Hats & High Heels auction is that it included items destined for landfills that were transformed into unique furnishings and given new life by area designers. Through a “Designer Challenge”, items that were donated to the ReStore, Habitat's brand of donation center, were upcycled into something useful and creative, then auctioned off. During the gala, guests also had the opportunity to make donations to help purchase materials Habitat uses to build -- foundations, doors and windows. Wells Fargo provided a $10,000 match for donations of $100 or more, bringing the total raised in donations alone to more than $30,000. “We are grateful to our donors, staff, volunteers, and community members for making our annual fundraiser such a success,” says Florence Kawoczka, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County. “Their support is critical to our ability to make our homeownership and home repair programs available to hard-working, low-income families in Bucks County in our mission to build communities and empower families.” Lead Sponsors for Hard Hats & High Heels included: Diamond Hammer: Penn Community Bank, Wells Fargo Platinum Hammer: Johnson & Johnson, Eastburn and Gray, PC, Parx Casino Gold Hammer: BlackRock Financial, Coca Cola, Dumack Engineering, Klehr Harrison Harvey Banzburg LLP, Lennar, St. Mary Medical Center, Univest Bank, Worth & Company, Inc. About Habitat Bucks The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County (Habitat Bucks) is, “Building Communities, Empowering Families.” Habitat Bucks has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to volunteer to lend a helping hand. The Habitat Bucks Homeownership Program provides an opportunity for low-income families to build strength, stability and self-reliance by partnering with Habitat. Habitat homebuyers contribute a minimum of 200 hours of sweat equity during the construction of their homes. Since 1990, Habitat Bucks has built 103 affordable homes in Bucks County. Through its A Brush with Kindness home repair program, Habitat Bucks also makes repairs and minor modifications that preserve an affordable home and make it safe. Revenue from Habitat ReStores provides a source of sustainable funding for the construction and repair of homes.
Diamond Hammer: Penn Community Bank, Wells Fargo
Platinum Hammer: Johnson & Johnson, Eastburn and Gray, PC, Parx Casino
Gold Hammer: BlackRock Financial, Coca Cola, Dumack Engineering, Klehr Harrison Harvey Banzburg LLP, Lennar, St. Mary Medical Center, Univest Bank, Worth & Company, Inc.
The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County (Habitat Bucks) is, “Building Communities, Empowering Families.” Habitat Bucks has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone deserves a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to volunteer to lend a helping hand.
The Habitat Bucks Homeownership Program provides an opportunity for low-income families to build strength, stability and self-reliance by partnering with Habitat. Habitat homebuyers contribute a minimum of 200 hours of sweat equity during the construction of their homes.
Since 1990, Habitat Bucks has built 103 affordable homes in Bucks County. Through its A Brush with Kindness home repair program, Habitat Bucks also makes repairs and minor modifications that preserve an affordable home and make it safe. Revenue from Habitat ReStores provides a source of sustainable funding for the construction and repair of homes.