When HHHunt broke ground on May 5th it was an historic event. This is the first ever Homes for Hope in the state of Virginia. This special ceremony included HHHunt team members plus Jack Nulty, Executive Director of Homes for Hope; Jay Stegmaier, Chesterfield County Administrator; Will Davis, Chesterfield County Economic Development Director; and more than a dozen business partners. All of the proceeds from the sale of this 2,500 sq. ft. HHHunt home will benefit Hope International, a charitable nonprofit organization that operates within the homebuilding industry. Their mission is to help people in developing countries around the world work their way out of poverty.
Since Homes for Hope began in 1998, over 70 homes have been built, generating over $10 million helping people living in poverty in 17 countries. This creates tens of thousands of micro loans that enable families to break the cycle of poverty by helping them start their own businesses. For example, a $100 loan for a bicycle starts a messenger service. A $300 loan for a sewing machine starts a clothing repair business. Homes for Hope works with builders and their trade partners and stakeholders to build these “benefit homes” on a largely pro bono basis. Proceeds from the sale of a Home for Hope can benefit hundreds of families immediately and help up to 2,500 families over a six-month period.
Many of the leaders who spoke at the May 5th ground breaking addressed the incredible impact and ripple effect of these micro loans. This HHHunt home alone could generate up to 1,000 loans around the globe. HHHunt’s Homes for Hope house, which is located in Chesterfield County’s Magnolia Green community, has already been purchased and is scheduled to be move-in ready for its new owners by the middle of August.
Dan Schmitt, HHHunt’s President and COO, said, “This project is especially meaningful for HHHunt due to the way it captures the spirit of our company’s vision – To improve the world and how people live by creating meaningful experiences and places of great distinction.” Dan has traveled to the Dominican Republic to see firsthand how these micro loans work and the powerful effect they have on the community. “We hold the power to change lives and influence thousands of people.” To learn more about Homes for Hope and HHHunt’s partnership, check out this video!
“Because it’s how you live that matters” helps define HHHunt the company. But it motivates the HHHunt team members who are excited about contributing their time and energy to Homes for Hope because they are experiencing in their daily calling our How You Live philosophy.
HHHunt can’t do it alone and we’ve teamed up with business and community partners who are donating time, money, materials, goods, and services for this Homes for Hope house. In addition to HHHunt, forty businesses have committed to be a part of this incredible project, including American Applicators, Americana, Associated Materials, Builders Insulation, Capital Granite, Capital Lighting, Colonial Trimcrafters, Connec, CR Phillips Electrical, Creative Enterprise, Custom Ornamental Iron, Garlitz Concrete, Gerber, Goodman, Hanover Roofing, iStar, Justin Noblin, Kempsville, Luck Stone, Mannington, Northeast E and I, Oakes Heating and AC, Old Dominion Cabinet Co., Old Dominion Flooring, Plumbright Plumbing, Richmond Decorating, Richmond Masonry, RichPro Pest Management, Rinnai, S&D Services, Sears, Shaw, Sherwin Williams, Stock Building Supplies, Wright Contracting and Youngblood -Tyler and Associates. Nancy Kelly, HHHunt Homes sales executive at Magnolia Green, is even donating the commission from the sale of the house to Homes for Hope. Thank you to everyone who is joining us to improve the world!
The generosity of all these partners will make a tremendous difference in the lives of those who benefit from the sale of this special home. Stay tuned to the blog for more pictures and updates! We’re excited to share this journey with you because it’s how you live that matters.
