The Saugahatchee Country Club hosted the Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity's annual fundraising event, Habitat around the Heart, Thursday night.
The Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity organize Habitat Around the Heart each year. While the Lee County Association of Realtors present the fundraiser each year, said Mark Grantham, executive director for Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity.
The event was marked with a catered dinner, cash bar, live jazz music performed by the Auburn High School Jazz Band and live and silent auctions.
“All of the proceeds go to help supporting Habitat for Humanity,” said Joree Jones, Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity Board member and fundraising chair for the event.
The silent auction had a diverse array of available items including vacations, artwork, jewelry, sports packages and pottery, Jones said.
Various business, companies and community members donated the items for the auctions, Grantham said.
Tiickets to attend the fundraising event sold out two days before the event, Grantham said.
“And we’ll raise somewhere in the area of about $50,000 off this one event tonight,” Grantham said.
Grantham said the $50,000 from the event covers a large portion of the average $70,000 cost for the organization to build a house.
“So this is only a part of what we do throughout the year,” Grantham said.
Additional funding comes from sources like Auburn University Panhellenic’s annual Greek Sing, Publix Supermarket Charities and the WeHelp Coalition of Churches, Grantham said.
“The main thing is making a difference in the community by providing affordable homes for people who may not have an opportunity if we didn’t do this,” Joree Jones said.
Malta Jones, local real estate agent that serves on the Auburn Opelika Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, said the organization was important to her because it helped people become homeowners.
Marlene Bowman, realtor with Prestige Properties and Auburn City Council candidate for Ward 8, agreed and said owning a home rather than renting one has a great impact on people.
“Home ownership completely changes things for people,” Bowman said. “Homeowners can be truly invested in their homes.”
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