Gala Celebrates "Not Only a Home"

Habitat of Humanity recently held its Annual Gala with the goal of raising money for the non-profit organization which provides homes to low-income families that normally would not be able to purchase a house. The Gala was an important night for the organization and the community of San Bernardino. Those in attendance were able to rub elbows with the business owners, lives that have been changed by Habitat for Humanity, community members, and local dignitaries all who came out support of the organization. Event organizer and Habitat of Humanity representative Dennis Baxter, along with co-host and Vice President Scott Johnson, Secretary Barbara Keough, and Construction Manager Tim Garcia presented an event that educated the audience on the importance of humanity, grace, and charity. Generous donations were made by local businesses such as Good Year Tires, Lowe’s, Loma Linda Medical Center, and local artists who contributed their art, such as Diane Versteeg who donated her piece titled “Brazil’s Revenue Ocelot”. Garcia, Construction Manager also donated a waterfall structure. Keough shared, “the purpose of the Gala is to raise money to purchase properties, honor families and volunteers.” She also shared how the ReStore Thrift Store, located in San Bernardino, plays a significant role in fundraising for the Habitat of Humanity. The over 25,000-square-foot location strives to fulfill the home improvement needs of the local community, at a low and discounted cost. Baxter gave a PowerPoint presentation on what the organization is looking forward to in the future and how they plan to accomplish their current goals. The Executive Director would surprise his colleagues by informing them of the gracious donation of $150,000 given to the organization by General Motors. Baxter explained how the charity of Bakers Founder, the late Neal Baker who left property to the City of Grand Terrace who in turn donated the property to the organization so that they could continue to build homes, has impacted their mission. Also present were couple Mark and Lynette Adelson who were victims of the San Bernardino fires over 10 years ago. The couple decided to relocate to another place and donated the property to Habitat of Humanity for a family to begin their dreams. However, the evening would be stolen by the heartwarming story of The Flores Family who were one of the recipients of a home through Habitat of Humanity in San Bernardino. The Flores received their home in 1995 and have officially paid the home off, free and clear, as of this year, earlier than expected San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris shared the moving story of how the family achieved the American dream of homeownership through a modest job as a cook at the local Sizzler, where the patriarch of the family still works today. Mr. and Mrs. Flores accomplished an unbelievable goal of not just homeownership, but raising four well-accomplished children in the very home for which they spoke of. All four children were raised in San Bernardino and attended Cajon High School where they participated in the International Baccalaureate program. Jesus Flores graduated as the Valedictorian of his class of over 500 students. Brenda is currently receiving her Masters at Loma Linda University in Psychology. Linda, the youngest, has already been accepted into UC Davis, UC Riverside and UC Irvine. Habitat for Humanity officials agreed that the Flores family is one raised in love, devotion, and humbleness. The parents received a standing ovation as the Mayor performed the ceremonial “Mortgage Burning”. The family shares, “We have felt secure, safe, and carefree, with no worries. This not only our home, our stability, but our blessings.”