Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Chesmar Homes’ groundbreaking ceremony for its seventh GHBA Benefit Home was held with a limited number of attendees, but each individual plays a significant role to ensure the Benefit Home is built at a cost savings.
The groundbreaking took place on November 5 on the homesite in Lago Mar, a Land Tejas community in the Texas City area. Representing the builder’s team from Chesmar was Scott Merovitch, city president; Jeff Johnson, division president; Jessi Espiritu, vice president of sales; Aaron Oakley, homebuilding manager and Randy Jakubik, construction manager. Chesmar also included several their Houston staff.
Representing Land Tejas was, Tim Johnson, director of community sales and marketing; Susan Brown, director of marketing and Daniella Franco, marketing coordinator. From the GHBA was Casey Morgan, CEO and from the two charities receiving the funds raised through the sale of the home was Carole Brady, executive director of HomeAid Houston and Lee Kirgan, vice president project management for Operation Finally Home.
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“Normally we would have dozens of the vendors, trades and suppliers who are donating their services and materials to the construction of the Benefit Home here today so we could say thank you to them,” said Casey.
“Unfortunately, that can’t happen now, but we anticipate being able to thank these companies and individuals in person in 2021 when the house is completed. We can’t thank both Chesmar Homes and Land Tejas enough for sharing the Benefit Home vision to provide funds to two local charities.”
Attendees heard remarks from Scott Merovitch, Tim Johnson, Casey Morgan, Carole Brady, and Lee Kirgan. Lee was accompanied by USMC Cpl Jonathan Dowdell, who was gifted a new home by Operation Finally Home, thanks in part, to proceeds from the sale of a Benefit Home in 2013. Cpl Dowdell lost both legs, a finger, and sustained other injuries in an IED explosion in Afghanistan in 2010.
Each year two to three homes are built for the Benefit Homes Project with donated land, construction management, materials, labor and services by GHBA members. These homes are constructed with upgrade materials and features and are sold at market value. The majority of the proceeds from the sale of the 2020 home will be donated to HomeAid Houston and Operation Finally Home. Since the project began 40 years ago, nearly $12 million has been raised.
Chesmar is building its popular Hillcrest plan, a one-story design that features four bedrooms with a game room option, three baths, a two-car attached garage and a covered patio.
An extended foyer leads to open casual dining, a family room, and an island kitchen with additional countertop dining. Bedroom three can serve as a second master. The study is convenient to the common area and the master suite.
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