Building our community...this isn't just a slogan for the Home Builders Association of Lincoln. Each year, the HBAL and its members contribute time and money to a variety of community projects. We believe in doing our part to make Lincoln a stronger, safer community. Together we're helping to build a better Lincoln!
New Lighthouse Facility - Donate Your Time or Materials
HBAL Members are invited to participate in building a new Lighthouse facility for teenagers next spring at 2601 N St. John Hyland of Millard Lumber and Dave Firestone of Commonwealth Electric are coordinating the effort for for donated materials and labor to offset the cost of the $1.7 million building.Lighthouse is a community program that provides "safe harbor" for teenagers with the goal to increase the likelihood of high school graduation. Lighthouse helps teens by giving tutoring, meals, academic support and other enrichment activities at no charge.
If you want to donate time, labor and/or materials, please contact John Hyland at
Dolls of HBAL & Toys With Wheels
Once again, we sponsored our very successful Dolls of HBAL. In 2005, we collected more than 350 beautiful new dolls for little girls at Christmas.This year, we repeated the "Dolls of HBAL" project in hopes of bringing joy to even more children. However, due to popular request, we added "Toys With Wheels" to collect cars and trucks for little boys. We are proud to report that HBAL members donated 210 dolls and 167 toys with wheels for a total of 377 new toys! These toys were donated to Lincoln charities for Christmas distribution to needy children. Merry Christmas to all!
Annual Coat Drive
Each fall, we ask HBAL members to search their coat closets to find winter outerwear that's not being used any more. Our office begins filling up with cold-weather garments for adults and children. Then we load up the donations of coats mittens, scarves, blankets, etc. and take them to the People's City Mission in downtown Lincoln.
Helping Hands Projects - Remodelers Council
TP Run (Toilet Paper)
In July 2006, the Remodelers Council held a TP Run (Toilet Paper Run) to gather supplies and toiletries for the the Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) in Lincoln. To kick off the event, the Remodelers Council Officers spent an afternoon on Eric Hoke's vintage fire truck traveling to various Remodelers Council members offices. Donating members were rewarded with ice cream bars. Click here for pics.In June 2007, the Council held its second annual TP Run. Thanks to the generosity of others, a pickup load of necessities was delivered to help the clients of Lincoln's CMHC. Click here for pics.
Tree Planting at Vavrina Park West
On May 7, 2003, almost 25 Remodelers Council members gathered to plant trees in the park. Through the kind donation of HBAL member nurseries, four trees were planted which will provide shade and beauty in the park for generations.The Vavrina family, original owners of this land, we're present to show their support and appreciation. It was a beautiful day.
Food Bank House
The Remodelers Council Fifth Annual Helping Hands Food Bank House was a great success in February 2007! We collected 5,334 pounds of food thanks to the generosity of the Home Show visitors. This is 1,000 pounds more than last year and will provide 4,167 meals to families in need in southeast Nebraska.To learn more about the Remodelers Council, click here.
School Art Contest
In February 2007, we held our fifth annual "If I Could Build a House" art contest for 4th & 5th grade students in the Lincoln Public Schools. Children were asked to draw pictures of their dream homes. Six schools were selected winners and received $500 toward their art budget. Twelve individual winners were also selected - each received a check for $50 from the HBAL. All of these unique drawings were displayed at our annual Home & Garden Show. We have also used drawings for the front cover of our Parade Guides.
Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build
Every year, members of HBAL pledge time and money to build a home for a family in need. We recently completed our 14th Habitat for Humanity Home. Jihan Khirdir and her four children are now the proud owners of a home at 2300 SW Paul Whitehead Lane in Old Mill Village. HBAL also donated $7,000 to Habitat for Humanity from the proceeds of our annual golf tournament and generous donations from our members. Providing decent, affordable housing for families is a priority to HBAL members.
YouthBuild Program
In 2004, HBAL members volunteered their time and money to help with YouthBuild. This program helps young people in our community earn their GED while teaching them valuable construction skills. These construction skills are developed as YouthBuild participants construct a home for a local, low-income family. Click here to learn more about YouthBuild.
HBAL's Traveling Ramp
In March 2001, the HBAL was asked if we would help build a ramp for a 40-year-old Public Works employee, whose condition was terminal and was not able to maneuver the entry of his home. Our Board of Directors agreed to help. It was decided that the best approach was to purchase a light-weight modular aluminum ramp which could be assembled on site and, once the disabled person no longer needed it, we would be able to remove the ramp and store it for future use.Since 2001, the ramp has been loaned out 5 times to Lincoln people in need. If someone you know has a need for a temporary ramp, please call the HBAL.
Home Builders Care About Quentin
In 1999, we did a very special project. We built an addition for Quentin Waltke and his foster family. Quentin is a young man who is blind and has cerebral palsy. His foster mother, Linda Rappl, pulled him up and down a flight of stairs twice a day because their home had no bedroom or bathroom on the first floor. HBAL wanted to make life easier for Quentin and assure that he can always stay with Linda.
Toys for Santa Cops
Since 1988, the HBAL has been making toys for Santa Cops. One Saturday each November, HBAL members get together and make 60-100 wooden toys to donate to the Lincoln Police Department's Santa Cop program. The officers give these toys to needy children for Christmas.In Nov. 2006, over 120 HBAL members (and their children and grandchildren) gathered to make 70 building block sets to give to the Santa Cop project. The children helped decorate wooden Christmas trees, birdhouses, and gingerbread houses which were given to local nursing homes and assisted living centers. In 19 years, HBAL members have made almost 1,400 wonderful toys for the Santa Cop program.
Bryan Community Center
The Home Builders Association of Lincoln established a VIP partnership with the Bryan Community Center. Students at this center receive an opportunity to "shadow" with HBAL members and get hands-on experience with many different types of jobs. VIP Students help each year with many community service projects.Scholarships
The Southeast Community College - Milford Student Chapter is very active within the HBAL. Each year, HBAL and NAHB award SCC students scholarships totaling $4,000. The students build the center attraction for the annual Home & Garden Show and help the exhibitors with move-in/move-out.Five scholarships are also awarded each year to students graduating from our local high schools. These scholarships are awarded to students who are entering a 2-year or 4-year college program that involves the building industry.
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