This afternoon, more than 1,400 staff, AmeriCorps, volunteers, Board members, and supporters gathered to celebrate a year of progress at Habitat SKKC’s annual Beyond the Build Luncheon. The event featured heartfelt speeches and videos of Habitat homeowners, an award ceremony honoring the champions who support our work, and an inspiring conversation with Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird.
Event emcee Joyce Taylor, a celebrated anchor for KING 5, energized the room with her opening remarks. She set the tone for the luncheon by rallying attendees to “get in the game for affordable housing!”
Taylor also eloquently acknowledged the somber news of former President Jimmy Carter’s death in late 2024: “Habitat lost its most prolific volunteer last year with the passing of President Jimmy Carter, a champion for affordable and decent housing. He and his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn Carter, donated their time and leadership to Habitat through the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project.”
After Taylor gave an overview of Habitat SKKC’s mission and work, she thanked everyone in attendance—from corporate sponsors to the Board of Directors—who makes Habitat SKKC’s work possible. A sizzle reel showed off the impressive achievements of the past year, including breaking ground on our largest single-building multifamily project to date, Liberty Commons.
Taking the stage next was Habitat SKKC CEO Brett D’Antonio, who transitioned from a look back on the past year’s highlights to a look ahead at the future of Habitat SKKC’s work: “With our scaled-up housing production, we’ll complete 38 new homes in 2025, 67 homes in 2026, and 76 homes in 2027. That means another 181 families who won’t have to uproot their children from their friends and schools, another 181 families who will build community with their neighbors because they know they’ll still be there next year, and another 181 families who will have the financial stability that gives them the freedom to dream of what they and their kids will achieve next.”
D’Antonio presented three honored guests with awards, beginning with Jim O’Farrell, “whose unwavering passion for and commitment to Habitat for Humanity has left an indelible mark on our organization.” O’Farrell received the Volunteer of the Year Award for work that included mobilizing volunteers from many faiths to participate in our annual Interfaith Build.
KLB Construction, who “has made strong contributions to multiple Habitat developments, most notably, our Sammamish Cottages project,” received the Community Partner of the Year Award. More than two dozen of their employees volunteered their time to help complete the development. KLB’s General Manager Bill Grady, a dedicated member of our Board of Directors, accepted the award on behalf of KLB.
Finally, D’Antonio presented the inaugural Habitat Humanitarian Award to “one of our biggest fans and strongest supporters: Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck.”
Heck is a longtime supporter and champion of Habitat SKKC, welcoming us into his D.C. offices and joining us for the Liberty Commons groundbreaking.
Next to the stage, homeowner Elizabeth S. inspired the audience with the story of her family’s resilience through a job loss, a move to an unsafe neighborhood, and finally finding stability once they became Habitat homeowners. She reflected, “It has been a joy watching our kids transform into secure and happy people. We are so grateful to Habitat for Humanity for our home and the positive changes it has brought into our lives. My hope is that more families, like ours, will have the same opportunity to thrive.”
The event’s guest of honor, Sue Bird, joined us mere weeks before she will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Bird, who spent her entire career in Seattle, wanted to give back to her community, and Habitat’s fundraiser was a natural choice.
Taylor’s interview was wide-ranging, from Bird’s basketball career to her advocacy work.
Taylor asked, “You could really support any organization. Why is Habitat for Humanity an organization you wanted to bring attention to?”
“When you want to make a difference and use your platform or voice, you want to be aligned. You want to have trust. When you hear the name Habitat for Humanity, you trust it. You know what it’s about, you know the work they’re doing,” Bird answered.
Taylor wrapped up the program with a prize raffle and final thanks to everyone who donated today to make our vision—a world where everyone has a decent place to live—a reality.
Thanks to everyone who gave today, we raised $2.7 million (and counting)!
It was another powerful and motivational Beyond the Build luncheon, and our largest to-date! It was an opportunity to gather and celebrate all we have accomplished and to dream of all that is possible in the next year, when we come together as a community.