Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Gentlemen throughout the community have found a way to contribute to Habitat for Humanity’s female-dominated project, Women Build, and it doesn’t involve stilettos or pink hammers.
On Jan. 6, prestigious businessmen and esteemed professionals will donate their time and talent at an auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Martin County's 2011 Women Build Home. The event takes place at 7 p.m. at the Lyric Theatre, 59 S.W. Flagler Ave. in downtown Stuart.
Auctioneer Elliot Paul will serve as master of ceremonies and Women Build vignette performances will be peppered in throughout the auction to connect the audience with the Habitat mission and the focus of the evening’s fundraising.
“This year, our Women Build volunteers have raised the bar. They’ve challenged themselves to not only physically construct the Women Build home, but to also pay for the house themselves,” said Margot Graff, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County. “The result of their creative thinking is this one-of-a-kind auction featuring unique items donated by some of Martin County’s finest and most charitable gentlemen.”
Who is Mr. Stud Finder?
There are nine Mr. Stud Finders at this inaugural event, a prestigious group nominated by their peers and carefully selected to present a valuable auction item or package for bid. The 2011 lineup:
- Film and theater legend Burt Reynolds has generously donated passes for four people to audit his master acting class, followed by a meet-and-greet photo opportunity and signed biography. This exclusive package will be presented by Pierre Rivard, company manager for the Burt Reynolds Institute for Film and Theatre.
- Chef Greg Scott with EventMakers International will prepare a private dinner for four in the home of the winning bidder.
- Robert Ippolito, owner of D Salon, will pick up the winning bidder in a vintage Jaguar and bring them to his salon for a day of pampering:an hour massage, facial, manicure, pedicure, hair cut and blow dry.
- Teague Taylor of Surf Lessons by Teague Taylor will present a certificate for one day of surf or stand-up paddle board lessons for one to two people.
- Willoughby Golf Club head golf professional GerryKnebels will present a golf foursome certificate (including carts).
- Photographer Thomas Winter will present a certificate for one executive professional or in-home portrait session.
- Piper’s Landing Yacht and Country Club head tennis professional Cullen DeWindt will present a certificate package with a one hour private tennis lesson, a brand new Head tennis racket, two tickets to the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships in February, a $250 gift certificate to Tennis Frenzy, $200 gift certificate to Manero's Restaurant, and four personal training sessions with Mark Nielen at Rosalind’s Fitness Studios.
- Artist Kevin Hutchinson will present an original oil painting featuring a seaside landscape, along with a two-hour painting lesson.
- Martin County Commissioner Patrick Hayes will present a certificate for a pontoon boat tour for up to 10 people.
General admission tickets are $25; tickets for VIP seating and a 5:30 p.m. cocktail reception at The Mark Gallery are $50. Visit LyricTheatre.com to purchase tickets, stop by the box office, or call (772) 286-7827. To learn more about the event, sponsorships and advertising opportunities, visit HabitatMartin.org or call (772) 223-9940.
Special recognition goes to Elliot Paul & Company, The Stuart News and The Mark Fine Art Gallery for sponsoring this event.
About Women Build: The 2011 Habitat for Humanity of Martin County Women Build home will be built for Shameeka Dixon and her twin 4-year-old boys in the Hobe Sound community of Banner Lake. Dixon is already contributing to Habitat’s sweat equity requirement of 300 volunteer hours and construction of her home will begin in January. She’ll purchase the home with a no-profit loan and her monthly mortgage payments will be used to build more Habitat homes. Habitat’s plan is to finish construction in May and present the keys to Dixon in time for Mother’s Day.
Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages women and girls to have fun and make a difference by building homes and communities. Women crews around the world have built thousands of homes since Women Build’s official creation in 1998. Each year, more homes are added as affiliates, donors and sponsors discover the impact of women volunteers and their resources.
About Habitat for Humanity of Martin County: Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a not-for-profit, volunteer-driven organization that extends the opportunity to purchase simple, decent, affordable homes to local families who would not otherwise have that chance. The three key criteria necessary in order to make homeownership a reality for families include the need for shelter, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. For more information, call (772) 223-9940 or visit HabitatMartin.org.
