Habitat for Humanity Sarasota held their annual meeting and volunteer appreciation event in January. Meeting highlights included:
- 11 homes under construction and 5 mortgage closings
- 896 volunteers provided 25,587 hours, reducing construction costs by 30%
- 46,280 ReStore transactions resulting in sales of $2,024,640
Sprinkled throughout the room were future Habitat Sarasota homeowners. Their powerful testimonials illustrated their path toward strength, stability and self-reliance through homeownership. “My journey through the homeowner program has been one of immense growth. Today, I stand before you a more grounded, financially stable, and confident woman because of my partnership with Habitat for Humanity Sarasota.” says Erika Berrones, future Habitat homeowner.
Renee Snyder, Executive Director, introduced the new board chair as John R. Peshkin, founder and managing partner at Vanguard Land, a private real estate investment group. The firm is focused on the acquisition and development of residential and commercial properties throughout Florida. Peshkin has served on Habitat Sarasota’s board of directors for 6 years and says, “we are committed to serving 66 families in the next 3 1/2 years and are diligently working to overcome today’s challenge of finding affordable land.”
Three other individuals have joined Habitat for Humanity Sarasota Board of Directors.
Carolyn Mason, a long time Sarasota resident and former County Commissioner. Carolyn has a deep passion for families struggling to improve their housing conditions and has been a longtime supporter of affordable housing in Sarasota County.
Bonnie Dezii is the Assistant Vice President of Claims for the Florida region at FCCI Insurance Group, Inc. She has been involved in charitable organizations in nine states. “I view Habitat for Humanity Sarasota as an integral part in the solution to help families in need of affordable housing get back on their feet and I am proud to support their mission.”
Michael Bruno is a Realtor® with Michael Saunders & Company. In 2015, he received Chairman of the Year from the Florida Realtors Political Action Committee. Bruno has volunteered with Habitat Sarasota for the past 13 years.