Man builds house, donates it to Katrina aid
Published: September 14, 2005
As Steve Patrick watched television coverage of Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath last week, he got an idea.
A California woman was being interviewed about how she had sold some of her land and donated the money to relief efforts. The novel approach inspired Patrick, he said, and he immediately knew what he could do to help displaced Gulf Coast residents.
“I said, ‘Why don’t we go a step further and build a house and give the proceeds to the Red Cross?’” said Patrick, 55, a Waco home builder.
Patrick went to the local American Red Cross office Friday afternoon and talked with executive director RoseMary Mayes about his idea. Once he got the approval, he started calling companies he works with and asked for their help.
By Tuesday afternoon, Patrick had lined up 30 local businesses and people willing to donate or discount their supplies and services. They range from construction elements like plumbing materials and concrete work to things that will be needed after completion, such as title and realty services.
“It seems to be growing by the hour,” said Patrick, who owns Steve Patrick Builders. “I don’t mind asking for a good cause. We hope this is contagious.”
Patrick predicted the profits on the four-bedroom house will be $50,000 or more, all of which will go to the Red Cross. He also hopes to raise some money through a fundraiser he thought of to go along with the construction phase – allowing people to put their name on a stud, wall or window for a few bucks.
“They can just take a magic marker and go at it,” Patrick said.
The signatures will be covered up as finishing touches are put on the house, which will be located in Hewitt. But Patrick said he hopes the idea is innovative enough to draw donations. He plans to have the signing party Oct. 1, adding that the house should be completed in three months.
Mayes said Patrick’s donation will be the most unique that the local Red Cross has received for Katrina victims. It’s also a model of how people can make a difference by working together, she said.
“Not everybody can write a big check,” Mayes said. “But something like this people can do as part of a whole group that comes together and it is like a big check.”
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