On September 29, Essex County Habitat for Humanity hosted its biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual Building Dreams Gala, presented by Watts. The event, held at the lovely Glen Magna Farms in Danvers, raised over $150,000 which the organization will use to build affordable homes throughout Essex County. Guests enjoyed cocktail hour mingling about the property and indulging on several amazing small plate options, before heading into the main tent for the program.
Diane McClintock, board member and VP of FP&A and Investor Relations at lead sponsor Watts, kicked off the program. After President of the Board Richard Sumberg thanked guests, volunteers, board and staff for the important work they do to support Essex County Habitat’s mission, Meegan O’Neil, Executive Director of Essex County Habitat, took the podium. She stressed the importance of affordable housing, especially now that the lack thereof has reached crisis levels across the country.
“In the past 30 years, Massachusetts built half the number of homes as in the previous 30. With supply dramatically constrained, the cost of the housing that is available now has skyrocketed. Simply put, a working family can no longer afford to live here,” stated O’Neil
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Yenny Moya brought some in the audience to tears when telling her emotional story of becoming a Future Habitat Homeowner. When she arrived in the country with her parents in the 90’s she was determined to take every opportunity to become someone better and to obtain the American dream. “Things didn’t work out the way I wanted them to, but I know that now I will be a role model for my kids and make things happen for them,” she explained. She went on to tell of how she was so excited on the day of the family selection lottery that she forgot the zoom login to watch it live. But later that night when the email came through that she had won, she literally jumped up and down, woke her kids up and called all of her family to let them know.
Moya finished by saying “Thank you so much for everything you have done. How you donate your time and your money. You’ve given me the opportunity to become a first-time homeowner and to give my kids a decent living space where we will soon call home. Thank you.”
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Additional sponsors of the event were Schernecker Property Services, Institution For Savings, Bixby International, Ebb & Flow, Eastern Bank, North Shore Bank, Coastal Windows and Exteriors, Dick and Lolli Sumberg, Brookline Bank, CM&B, Jackson Lumber and Salem Five.
About Essex County Habitat for Humanity
Essex County Habitat for Humanity is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, the largest nonprofit homebuilder in the world. Essex County Habitat builds decent, safe, and affordable homes in partnership with the families who need them. In place of a down payment, each partner family works at least 240 sweat equity hours alongside volunteers to build their home and then carries an affordable 30-year mortgage. Since it was established in 1985, the affiliate has delivered on their mission for over 160 families in Essex County.
To help fund their work, Essex County Habitat operates a ReStore, located in Lawrence, where they sell quality new and previously owned furniture, appliances, building materials, and home goods at greatly reduced prices. To donate, volunteer, or learn more, please visit EssexCountyHabitat.org
