Willamette West

“Today, you might just build a house.”  These opening, motivating words from Willamette West Habitat board president Lane Clem, set the tone for the 2nd annual Build a Home Frame a Future fund raising breakfast.  And build a house they did - nearly two in fact. 

Even in these tough economic times, the board of directors of Willamette West Habitat for Humanity had faith that their donors, volunteers, friends, neighbors and co-workers would not let down the low-income families that are struggling to stay afloat while putting in 500 hours of sweat equity so they can earn the right to buy a Habitat for Humanity home. 

In an unbelievable show of generosity in such challenging times, 395 people RSVP’d to attend the breakfast, and they donated a record-breaking $118,000 to help build simple, decent, affordable houses.  Even after all the bills were paid, Willamette West Habitat had over $104,000 in net proceeds, making it our largest fundraiser of the year.   

Thanks to the generosity of presenting sponsor First Tech Credit Union, and several supporting corporate sponsors, the event was entirely underwritten, so 100% of the donations received will go toward programs. 

Last year’s breakfast was a standing room only crowd of 280 at the Kingstad Center in Beaverton.  This year the breakfast moved to the Embassy Suites Hotel ballrooms to allow for growth - and elbow room.  And grow we did.  Attendance was close to the sell out point of 400 bodies.

The group learned about the number of homeless kids in the Washington County school system, the unsafe and unhealthy conditions so many people live in because they simply cannot escape the circle of poverty.  They learned about how Habitat provides a hand up, not a hand out to qualifying families.  How families like the Kadroli’s fled their home in Kosovo, living in a refugee camp for 3 years before coming to America where they knew no one.  The Kadroli’s purchased their Habitat home last September.  How the Salcedo Hernandez family tried three times before they were accepted into the Habitat program and how they are excited about spending this Christmas in their new Habitat home.

Easily the most entertaining part of the morning was when Emcee Ken Boddie from KOIN TV brought the 10 Habitat kids who served as escorts that morning up onto the stage to talk to them.  “In the entertainment business they say working with kids is risky,” Ken told the audience, “but I’m happy to take that chance today.  I’ll invite them up here and give you the opportunity to meet some of the little ones you’re supporting.”

Willamette West would like to thank the sponsors and everyone who attented. Thank you for helping to improve our community and lives of families in need.

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