Annual fundraiser helps provide ‘hand up’ opportunities toward homeownership for local families
Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County is building on its countywide holiday tradition with the 26th annual Frame the Future Gala on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m., at Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles in St. Charles, Missouri.
The Frame the Future Gala invites participation from individuals, businesses and organizations that wish to play a critical role in the nonprofit organization’s continuing efforts to create quality, affordable homes in which families partner, build and buy. The evening’s theme of “Building Tomorrow” offers the following highlights:
- Scott Connell, KSDK-TV chief meteorologist, will serve as the evening’s master of ceremonies. Connell has worked at the award-winning TV station since 1991, with many St. Louisans waking up to his weather forecasts on “Today in St. Louis.” Since 2017, he has been a familiar presence on “5 On Your Side” on weekend evenings and various newscasts throughout the week.
- Vickie Calmese created Healthlarious™ – a motivational platform in which she encourages others to “Laugh a lot. Live Better.” A registered nurse with over 40 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Calmese uniquely taps into her health care and life experiences to offer a creative, inspirational perspective that reflects her passion for and commitment to improving overall health through knowledge, nutrition and humor.
- Festive live and silent auctions include high-quality travel experiences; appealing dining options; a personalized wine and beer tasting package; sports packages; themed gift baskets; and more.
- The annual holiday tree auction. Artificial holiday trees, wreaths and tree toppers – professionally decorated by local artists, interior design and decor experts – will be on display and available to the highest bidder. Winners of a holiday tree may schedule its delivery to a residence or place of business. Delivery is provided at no charge by the Habitat St. Charles County staff.
- Sponsorships for a wide array of options make a tangible, lasting difference in the lives of those in desperate need of a home. The names of sponsor companies, organizations or individuals are prominently featured in the evening’s program and presentation.
Visit www.hfhgala.org to purchase a ticket or table, become a sponsor, decorate a holiday tree or wreath or donate a basket for auction. Please RSVP by Oct. 31. For more information, call 636-978-5712 extension 123.
All proceeds from the Frame the Future Gala directly benefit Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County to continue its mission to bring people together to increase the number of families it serves in St. Charles County to build hope, homes and communities. “Our Habitat St. Charles County families go through our rigorous process to qualify for and pay an affordable mortgage on a safe, healthy home that we build or improve,” said Michelle Woods, executive director, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County. “Attendees and donors that support the ‘Frame the Future Gala’ have the opportunity to make a transformative impact on the lives of local families.”
About Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County
Beginning construction on its 98th and 99th homes this year, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County has been building safe, affordable homes since 1997. Each home is built by the Habitat St. Charles construction team and a homeowner selected to partner with Habitat, who join forces with the more than 2,000 volunteers donating 14,000 hours each year. The nonprofit community-level affiliate acts in partnership with and on behalf of Habitat for Humanity, an international, non-governmental, nonprofit organization devoted to building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County offers a “hand up” opportunity that transforms lives, builds a strong foundation and forges lasting relationships with communities for a bright future. Applicants and co-applicants selected for a Habitat home agree to perform a minimum of 150 “sweat equity” hours each, for a total of at least 300-to-450 hours in the building of their home or on other Habitat projects. In collaboration with community partners, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County offers free financial coaching and skills to potential homeowners through the Homebuyer Readiness Program, in which participants learn about credit, debt, budgeting, setting goals and saving money. In addition, the organization guides homeowners through an affordable mortgage repayment process.
To help fund and support these efforts, Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County operates the Habitat St. Charles ReStore http://habitatstcharles.org/restore/, a retail outlet located at 186 Mid Rivers Center in St. Peters. ReStore, which opened in 2007, has diverted over 100,000 tons of waste from local landfills by selling donated new and used building materials, appliances, furniture and select home goods items back to the general public at fair prices. The objective for funds raised at ReStore is for Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County to be self-sustaining, with the goal that 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly toward the building of simple, decent, affordable homes for families in St. Charles County.
Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County hosts an annual gala as its premier fundraiser in November, a trivia night each spring and supports local efforts toward Women Build, a Habitat for Humanity International program that provides opportunities for women to take proactive steps in serving their communities.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in South Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org