More Than 250 Mission-Driven Women Kick-Off Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County’s 2019 WOMEN BUILD
Ilomane, Beverly Raphael Altman, Kari Oeltjen, Jessie, Robyn Raphael-Dynan
Powerhouse Mother/Daughter Duo Leads Women-Exclusive Initiative
To Build Home for Mother/Daughter Habitat Partner Family Duo
The unstoppable power of women permeated throughout the recent kick-off reception held at Royal Palm Yacht & County Club for the Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County’s (HFHSPBC) 2019 WOMEN Build. Returning and new “Sisters of the Pink Hard Hats” united to blaze the trail for this year’s women-exclusive “fundraiser to create “The 2019 House That Women Built”. Scheduled for the days leading up to Mother’s Day on Thursday, May 9; Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11, the nonprofit’s WOMEN Build combines fundraising with “camaraderie-of-a-rare-kind” that brings together mission-driven women to help transform their community.
Following an impassioned welcome and dynamic call to action from HFHSPBC Vice President & Chief Development Officer Kari Oeltjen and remarks from the nonprofit’s CEO & President Randy Nobles, this year’s mother/daughter WOMEN Build Co-Chairs Beverly Raphael Altman and Robyn Raphael-Dynan shared their commitment. As a natural fit, the co-chairs are women builders every day as the CEO and Vice President of Operations of RCC Associates, the general contracting firm that is the number one women-owned revenue-generating business in Florida.
Bonnie Kaye, Alisa Cohen, Bonnie Young, Kari Oeltjen, Georgette Evans, Danielle Rosse
Seated from left: Judith Temple, Pam Begelman, 2019 Women Build Co-chairs Robyn Raphael-Dynan and Beverly Raphael-Altman, Marcia Tabatchnick, Susan Fixel
During the reception underwritten by Cheney Brothers and Republic National Distributing Company, Women Builders also had the chance to meet and hear an emotional personal journey from the future homeowners Habitat Partner Family mother, Ilomane a housekeeper at Abbey Delray South senior living community and her daughter Jessie, an oncology nurse at Delray Medical Center. Through a “hand up, not hand out”, the duo has qualified for a zero-interest mortgage for the home through the HFHSPBC Partner Family program. Completing over 500 hours of “sweat equity” paying it forward by building on other families’ homes and over 100 hours of financial literacy and homeowner maintenance classes, Habitat sets the family up with the knowledge and tools for success.
“As a mom myself who continues to be inspired by own mom, I realize how important and game-changing it is to help another mother and daughter achieve the American Dream of home ownership,” added Co-Chair Raphael-Dynan who is a HFHSPBC Board Member and Vice President of Operations at RCC Associates. Under the mother/daughter company leadership, RCC has donated the firm’s time, talent and financial resources and recruited vendors to build two other HFHSPBC homes, from foundation to move-in ready.
Danielle Rosse, Karen Hansen, Laura Rachlin, Judi Temple
For WOMEN Builders Mother’s Day Week Takes on a Whole New Meaning
“I can’t think of a more meaningful way to spend Mother’s Day week, donning pink hard hats with my daughter Robyn to raise funds and participate with colleagues and longtime and new friends in the construction of a new home for another mother and daughter,” said Co-Chair Beverly Raphael Altman, CEO of RCC Associates, a General Contractor who with Co-Chair Raphael-Dynan has built a dedicated event committee.
Because Habitat for Humanity recognizes that women are uniquely positioned to nurture families and build communities, the annual experiential fundraiser is purposely timed in countdown to Mother’s Day. The HFHSPBC build is part of the Habitat for Humanity National “Women Build” — founded in 1991 — that enlists and encourages women across the country, with or without any construction skills, to fundraise and build homes for families in their local communities.
Debbie Leising, Pat Thomas, Terry Fedele
Powered by Passion: No Construction Experience Required.
“The dedicated and inspiring WOMEN Builders found that while stepping out of their comfort zone to help change the lives of others, the rare build experience changed their lives forever as well,” added Kari Oeltjen, HFHSPBC Vice President and Chief Development Officer. “ Being able to work along the family and see the impact of your investment, both financially and in the connection we make with our partner family – it goes well beyond the physical construction. We are literally building community and it is the essence of being a humanitarian.”
The 2019 “Sisterhood of the Pink Hard Hats” will each donate or raise a minimum of $1,000 to qualify for the rare opportunity to learn how to wield a buzz saw and hammer like a pro as they meet and work alongside other dynamic women. As empowerment drivers, these WOMEN Builders will deliver significant impact that enriches lives and communities, one home, one family at a time, from generation to generation.
Marcia Tabatchnick, Ricki Auerbach, Susan Fixel
The volunteer builders work under the guidance of HFHSPBC construction professionals. Whether they are learning new skills or simply adding a few to their tool belt, this is a rewarding experience for all involved and improves the community that each share.
Dream Girls Team
Registration and Fundraising Is Simple; Minimum “Give” or “Get” Required
To participate in the on-site build days, each woman builder must register via the designated HFHSPBC WOMEN Build campaign website by selecting the WOMEN Build tab at the top of the home page of www.habitatsouthpalmbeach.org. Participants can then create their own fundraising page. If someone is unable to commit to raising or donating as a Builder, they can easily support one of the WOMEN builders or a team featured on the dedicated fund site.
Headquartered at 181 S.E. Fifth Ave., Delray Beach, the HFHSPBC nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization brings people together to build homes, community and hope in the cities of Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, Florida. The nonprofit depends upon volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money, materials, services and property to fulfill its mission.
To learn more about the HFHSPBC 2019 WOMEN Build sponsorships, register as a builder or team captain, contact Kari Oeltjen, HFHSPBC Vice President and Chief Development Officer at koeltjen@hfhboca.org or (561) 819-6070 or visit www.habitatsouthpalmbeach.org
