SEATTLE (May 7, 2021) – Habitat for Humanity Seattle–King County is readying for its annual fundraising event, Beyond the Build on Thursday, June 3. Emceed by Dave Wagner of KIRO 7, the virtual event will feature a keynote by Matthew Desmond, winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction, the 2017 PEN/John Kenneth Galbraith Award, and the 2016 National Book Critics Circle Award for Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Funds raised will support Habitat’s partner families and ensure the ability for Habitat to continue to move forward with an ambitious agenda to provide solutions to the Puget Sound region’s affordable housing and homeless crisis. Attendees donating $1,000 or more will gain entrance to an exclusive live VIP reception with Mr. Desmond.
This year Habitat for Humanity Seattle–King County is celebrating 35 years serving hard-working and deserving families in King County, and while the organization is proud of what it has accomplished, it recognizes the urgency to address an even more significant need in the region. With 200 units in eight projects currently in its development pipeline, the organization has implemented innovative partnerships with private and public entities in order to help meet the need. Projects sites include those in South Park, Lake City, Renton, North and Central Seattle, North Bend and Burien. Additionally, two more will come online soon in West Seattle and Capitol Hill.
During the luncheon, Habitat will celebrate its work over the past 35 years, and communicate the need for support to continue its important work for the next 35 years. Attendees will hear from a variety of local and national elected officials and celebrities who are joining in the anniversary celebration and sharing what the ‘importance of home’ means to them.
The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) will be honored with its Community Leader of the Year award, and Nancy Williams with its Volunteer of the Year award for serving as the local leader for Habitat’s annual Women Build Week. Nancy has been instrumental in volunteer recruitment, event support, and providing supplies to our build sites. In 2019, she recruited over 40 volunteers to join us at Habitat’s Sammamish site for a Women Build that raised $250,000 for the affiliate.
MBAKS’ partnership with Habitat has spanned 20 years, and incorporates engagement of its employees and members with significant financial support. Former MBAKS Executive Director Kat Sims is a valued Habitat Board Member, and Habitat credits MBAKS’ COVID construction toolkit as critical in ensuring that construction was able to continue on Habitat project sites.
Said Brett D’Antonio, Habitat for Humanity Seattle–King County CEO, “We are excited by the wonderful program we have developed this year, and the knowledge and insight we’ll receive from Matthew Desmond’s participation. We have much to celebrate, but also much to do and are grateful for and committed to ensuring that all funds raised are put toward the best possible use during these challenging times.”
To register, visit the 2021 Luncheon page.
About Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County
In King and Kittitas Counties, and around the world, Habitat for Humanity brings people together as volunteers, homeowners, donors and community members to create strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. The organization was named by Engage for Good as its 2020 Golden Halo Award nonprofit winner, the group’s highest honor for causes that engage in activities designed to do well by doing good.
In our local community, Habitat for Humanity constructs affordable homes, revitalizes
neighborhoods, repairs homes for low-income people and seniors, operates discount home improvement stores in Auburn, Southcenter, Bellevue, and Ellensburg, and mobilizes nearly 4,500 volunteers a year.