Gala Celebrates "Not Only a Home"

Habitat of Humanity recently held its Annual Gala with the goal of raising money for the non-profit organization which provides homes to low-income families that normally would not be able to purchase a house. The Gala was an important night for the organization and the community of San Bernardino. Those in attendance were able to rub elbows with the business owners, lives that have been changed by Habitat for Humanity, community members, and local dignitaries all who came out support of the organization. Event organizer and Habitat of Humanity representative Dennis Baxter, along with co-host and Vice President Scott Johnson, Secretary Barbara Keough, and Construction Manager Tim Garcia presented an event that educated the audience on the importance of humanity, grace, and charity. Generous donations were made by local businesses such as Good Year Tires, Lowe’s, Loma Linda Medical Center, and local artists who contributed their art, such as Diane Versteeg who donated her piece titled “Brazil’s Revenue Ocelot”. Garcia, Construction Manager also donated a waterfall structure. Keough shared, “the purpose of the Gala is to raise money to purchase properties, honor families and volunteers.” She also shared how the ReStore Thrift Store, located in San Bernardino, plays a significant role in fundraising for the Habitat of Humanity. The over 25,000-square-foot location strives to fulfill the home improvement needs of the local community, at a low and discounted cost. Baxter gave a PowerPoint presentation on what the organization is looking forward to in the future and how they plan to accomplish their current goals. The Executive Director would surprise his colleagues by informing them of the gracious donation of $150,000 given to the organization by General Motors. Baxter explained how the charity of Bakers Founder, the late Neal Baker who left property to the City of Grand Terrace who in turn donated the property to the organization so that they could continue to build homes, has impacted their mission. Also present were couple Mark and Lynette Adelson who were victims of the San Bernardino fires over 10 years ago. The couple decided to relocate to another place and donated the property to Habitat of Humanity for a family to begin their dreams. However, the evening would be stolen by the heartwarming story of The Flores Family who were one of the recipients of a home through Habitat of Humanity in San Bernardino. The Flores received their home in 1995 and have officially paid the home off, free and clear, as of this year, earlier than expected San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris shared the moving story of how the family achieved the American dream of homeownership through a modest job as a cook at the local Sizzler, where the patriarch of the family still works today. Mr. and Mrs. Flores accomplished an unbelievable goal of not just homeownership, but raising four well-accomplished children in the very home for which they spoke of. All four children were raised in San Bernardino and attended Cajon High School where they participated in the International Baccalaureate program. Jesus Flores graduated as the Valedictorian of his class of over 500 students. Brenda is currently receiving her Masters at Loma Linda University in Psychology. Linda, the youngest, has already been accepted into UC Davis, UC Riverside and UC Irvine. Habitat for Humanity officials agreed that the Flores family is one raised in love, devotion, and humbleness. The parents received a standing ovation as the Mayor performed the ceremonial “Mortgage Burning”. The family shares, “We have felt secure, safe, and carefree, with no worries. This not only our home, our stability, but our blessings.” [END] Habitat for Humanity Gala Date: Friday, March 28, 2014 Time: 5:30 p.m. Event Location: National Orange Show Event Center Address: 689 S. E St. San Bdno CA 92408 Description: Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area, Inc. will be celebrating a Mortgage Retirement at their annual Gala. CONTACT INFO Phone: 909-478-1176 Website: www.habitatsb.org HFHSB Press Release Family Pays Off Home For More Information Contact Dennis Baxter @ (909) 478-1176 Habitat for Humanity Gala Spotlights Mortgage Retirement (Redlands, CA) Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area, Inc. will be celebrating a Mortgage Retirement at their annual Gala, Friday March 28, 2014 at the National Orange Show Events Center from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. “We are very excited that after 20 years, and 240 payments, the Flores family of San Bernardino now own their home free and clear,” said Dennis Baxter, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity. “This is a successful conclusion of a 20 year commitment by this wonderful family.” Regino and Maria Flores put in 500 hours of sweat equity on the construction of their home in 1994 and have raised their family in this home. One Daughter has already graduated from the University of California, Riverside and is now working on her Master’s Degree at Loma Linda University, one Son is a senior at CSUSB, another is bound for Harvard University with a full scholarship, and the youngest Daughter is an IB student at Cajon High School in San Bernardino. Baxter calls the Flores family a “true Habitat success story, showing that a hand up to a family can result in family members who do become high achievers in life.” This year’s Habitat for Humanity Gala will also honor Volunteers and Donors and is a benefit for Habitat’s mission of eliminating substandard, poverty housing by providing decent, affordable housing for San Bernardino area residents by bringing together volunteers, experienced help, suppliers, and families to form partnerships in an atmosphere of God’s love for all people. Mortgages paid to Habitat for Humanity are at zero percent interest for 20 or 30 years. To qualify, a family must be at or below 80 percent of the median income for San Bernardino County. This year’s Gala is called “Habitat around the World” to celebrate the many countries and cultures that Habitat for Humanity embraces. Featured at this event will be food from Mexico, Asia, and Italy. According to Baxter, entertainment will include the “Folklores” with the vocal styling of Erin Brinker, and some great surprise auction items from Southern California donors. For more information about becoming an event sponsor, to donate an item, or to purchase tickets, go to the Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area, Inc. website at www.habitatsb.org . Or call 909-478-1176. Habitat for Humanity has affiliates in 90 countries and 1,500 affiliates in the United States. Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino Area, Inc. was founded in 1992 and has built or rehabilitated homes in San Bernardino, Redlands, Fontana, Loma Linda, Apple Valley, Yucaipa, and Hesperia. Baxter also reminds area residents that “We have a large discount home improvement store called a ReStore that sells donated furniture, home accessories, appliances, and building materials to the public at a fraction of the retail price.” Proceeds from the ReStore go toward the mission of eliminating poverty housing in the San Bernardino area. The local ReStore is located at 25948 Business Center Drive, Redlands, Ca 92374, just off the I-10 freeway at the Mt. View off-ramp. To find out more about volunteer opportunities at Habitat for Humanity, call 909-478-1176 or visit www.habitatsb.org . We also ask you to LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/habitatsb .