How did you first get connected with Beaches Habitat for Humanity? What made you decide to start giving? Was there a moment or experience that sparked it?

My connection with Beaches Habitat for Humanity did not occur at any single point in time. It was a journey involving a series of unplanned circumstances and relationships that led me to becoming a recurrent donor.

From 1991 to 1998, during tours of duty at Naval Station Mayport as Commanding Officer of the Naval Legal Service Office and later as the Circuit Military Judge, my commute to the Naval Station during those seven years took me past dilapidated housing on Mayport Road.

As my family and I grew in love with the Beaches community, I decided to retire from the Navy to take a position with the City of Jacksonville as the Program Administrator for the Juvenile Justice Comprehensive Strategy and Youthful Offender Programs.

 Through Youthbuild, I was introduced to Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville (Habijax), which was my first experience with a private sector program that provided affordable housing to deserving persons by extending a helping hand rather than just a handout.

I was sold on the concept of  “the community building the community,” affordable housing approach to the Habitat for Humanity blueprint for success.  

Through my work with the City of Jacksonville, I had the great pleasure of meeting and working with Mary Anne Christensen, a key assistant to Sheriff Nat Glover.

After completing my service to the city, I took an attorney position with state university system self-insurance programs with which I continue my practice of law to this day as a senior litigation attorney and corporate counsel with the self-insurance programs. About 12 years ago, I reconnected with Mary Anne and discovered that she was working as the Development Director for Beaches Habitat for Humanity.  I must confess; I knew little about Beaches Habitat even though I had been living at the Beaches for many years. Mary Anne introduced me to the Director at that time and explained the visionary OceanGate project to be built on the land where the derelict housing I drove past daily for years had once existed.  I was blown away by the vision, courage, commitment and expertise of Beaches Habitat leadership, staff, and volunteers, and was extraordinarily impressed by the family partners who were putting hundreds of hours of sweat equity into their prospective units. Now complete and fully occupied, the Beaches Habitat OceanGate community turned blight into beauty on Mayport Road by establishing an attractive, vibrant, and permanently improved new Beaches neighborhood.

Since my introduction to Beaches Habitat, I have had luncheons with leadership and staff, gone on construction site visits, talked with construction managers and educational directors, and attended social events and fundraisers. It was the culmination of these experiences, and personal observation of the success of the initiatives that sparked me to be a recurring donor and sponsor for some of the fundraising events.

You’ve been a longtime supporter. What keeps you coming back year after year?

As a 35-year resident of the Beaches community, I will continue to donate to this local treasure that enhances the Beaches community for all residents. As I travel about the Beaches community, I see the direct benefits of their work every day.

Is there a particular family, home, or project that stuck with you over the years?

The OceanGate project perfectly demonstrated the organization’s long-term vision, a legacy that continues today with the more recent 40+ unit Coastal Haven development. I am also deeply impressed by their faith-based approach to the mission, the quality of the construction of the homes, and the educational initiatives which support children and teach financial literacy and build long-term homeownership skills for parents.

What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about giving for the first time?

• Connect with staff and reach out to leadership. They answer all questions openly and honestly.
• Take a construction site tour and visit completed Beaches Habitat projects around the entire Beaches area.
• Check the financials: These public records displayed on their website demonstrate operations and initiatives devoid of waste with reasonable administrative overhead.
• Ask current donors: Talk to event sponsors about why they give their time and resources.
• Volunteer firsthand: Spend a half-day on a build site to experience the energy and professionalism.
• Attend one of the good-time and classy fundraising events, such as the Beach Bash in October.

What do you hope your support helps make possible in the next few years?

• Successful completion and occupancy of Coastal Haven.
• Educational programs: Sustaining vital financial literacy and homeownership training.
• Preserving homes: Helping the organization pivot as land becomes scarce by funding critical renovations for low-income seniors and veterans, allowing them to remain safe in the community they love.
• In addition to monetary support, I appreciate the opportunity to share with others my experience with Beaches Habitat and my commitment to continue to donate.

Final Thoughts

Beaches Habitat’s character and soul is manifest in its superlative staff, leadership, and volunteers, many of whom, in addition to Mary Anne, have been part of the Beaches Habitat “family” for decades, such as Debbie Jones (recently retired Chief Financial Officer), Josh Jared (Construction Director), and Sarah Jarad (COO). A shoutout to these long-time trailblazers at Beaches Habitat who approached their work each day at Beaches Habitat as a day of dedicated duty to the community and not just another day at the job.  Special shoutouts to Steve Gilbert (CEO) and Bonnie Laubach (who succeeded Mary Anne as Development Director).  I have gotten to know Steve very well since he became the CEO several years ago. His professionalism, enthusiasm, vision and sterling character will continue the success of Beaches Habitat in their current initiatives and in developing and implementing creative and impactful initiatives in our Beaches Community. Bonnie took the baton from Mary Anne a year ago and carries on the multifaceted responsibilities of her position with the greatest of energy, respect, joy, creativity and diligence.  I am blessed to know these wonderful folks.