Shelter Events Manual

Example C
Sample Groundbreaking Script

BOB MORRIS calls everyone to attention, introduces himself, gives a brief greeting,
recognizes any public officials present and introduces Debora Kerstein.
DEBORA KERSTEIN (President, HBA of Greater Dallas)
Thank you, Bob. Good morning. On behalf of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Dallas
and HomeAid Dallas I am pleased to welcome you to the groundbreaking of Dallas first
Homeaid project a 28-bed shelter called Brighter Tomorrows.
The Homebuilders Association has a long history of community involvement in the greater
Dallas area, and it is our honor to now be involved through our new Homeaid chapter, in helping
to meet the needs of those who are temporarily homeless, working to regain lives of selfsufficiency.
A special thanks to Beazer Homes Dallas who is taking the lead as Builder Captain on this
project and to their many trade partners and to the HBA members who will be contributing to the
completion of this wonderful effort.
BOB MORRIS, (Executive Office, HBA of Dallas)
Thank you Debora. As Debora mentioned the HBA of Greater Dallas has a history of
community involvement primarily through our Homebuilders Care Foundation. About a year
ago the HBA became the 10th chapter of Homeaid America, a building industry charity that
builds and renovates shelters for temporarily homeless men, women and children.
We are very pleased to be working with the city of Dallas and the Brighter Tomorrows
organization to help provide shelter and hope for victims for women and children in desperate
need.
I also want to say that while Beazer Homes and their trade partners will be leading the charge on
this project, we would welcome the assistance of anyone who has labor or materials to
contribute. HomeAid shelter projects around the country typically donate 60% of the cost of the
construction, sometimes 100%. You can contact our HomeAid Dallas Executive Director, Cathy
Quaid at the HBA office using the number on the brochure you received today (point out Cathy
and introduce her).
Now Id like to introduce the Mayor of Dallas. Mayor Brown and the City of Dallas have been
strong supporters of Brighter Tomorrows and it is our privilege to join the city in a publicprivate-non-profit partnership to see this project become a reality.
MAYOR BROWN:
Thank you, Bob. What a wonderful day this is. First of all I want to say thank you to the
Homebuilders Association of Greater Dallas, HomeAid Dallas and Beazer Homes for their
commitment to build this project for Brighter Tomorrows.

Sample Groundbreaking Script

MAYOR (Continued):
As Bob mentioned the city is strongly committed to the service Brighter Tomorrows provides for
victims of domestic violence. This is a vital and often overlooked need in our communities and
it is truly visionary for the building community to respond in such a magnanimous manner.
I urge all of you to consider supporting Brighter Tomorrows in their wonderful program to help
redeem shattered lives and to join in this outstanding effort to make a tangible difference on
behalf of those less fortunate. HomeAid projects are not only beautifully built, but they provide
a safe, dignified environment for people ready to change their lives.

Bob thanks the mayor and introduces Mike Henry

Thank you Mayor Brown Now Id like to introduce the President of HomeAid Dallas and the
President of Beazer Homes Dallas, which will be the builder captain for this project. Its
leadership that makes the difference. Please join me in welcoming Mike Henry.

MIKE HENRY (HA Dallas President, Beazer Homes, President)

Thanks, Bob. Beazer Homes is delighted to be the first Builder Captain for a HomeAid Dallas
project and particularly delighted to be building for such a worthy program as Brighter
Tomorrows.
Like so many efforts similar to this project it takes a team. I want to thank my staff who are
putting their hearts into this project, to our trade partners, many of whom have already stepped
up to donate labor, materials and consulting services, to the HBA for establishing the HomeAid
Dallas program, to the city for its essential support and cooperation and finally to Brighter
Tomorrows, who is providing hope and practical assistance to hundreds of women and children
who need a fresh start in life.
Bob thanks Mike and introduces Radonna Hessell, President, Board of Directors of
Brighter Tomorrows.
Thank you, Mike. Now Id like to introduce the President of the Brighter Tomorrows Board of
Directors. It is because of Brighter Tomorrows and their great work that we are here today.
Please join me in welcoming Radonna Hessell.
RODONNA HESSELL (President, Board of Directors, Brighter Tomorrows)
Thank you, Bob. Good morning to you all. This is truly a remakable day for Brighter
Tomorrows the beginning of a dream come true. We still are pinching ourselves to make sure
this isnt just a dream.
Brighter Tomorrows is dedicated to assisting victims of domestic and sexual abuse, providing the
life skills, counseling and job skills necessary for a healthy and complete transition from trauma
and homelessness to stability and self-sufficiency.

Sample Groundbreaking Script

We are truly honored and deeply grateful to the Homebuilders Association of Greater Dallas and
to its HomeAid Dallas program for choosing us as their first project. Its simply impossible to
express how much this will mean to so many who need our help. I also want to thank Mayor
Brown and the city of Dallas for their ongoing and essential support.
Id like to introduce our Executive Director, _____________ (point her out & lead applause) and
also ask that the Brighter Tomorrows Board Members and staff please raise their hands (lead
applause for them) these are the dedicated souls who make all the difference in our program.
I look forward to seeing you at the dedication. Thank you.
Bob returns to podium and introduce Mike Lennon of Homeaid America.
Thank you Radonna. Now Id like to introduce the President of Homeaid America, Michael
Lennon, who first shared the Homeaid vision with us about two years ago. Lets welcome Mike.
MIKE LENNON (CEO, HomeAid America)
It is an honor to be with you today. HomeAids mission is to build and renovate shelters for
temporarily homeless men, women and children. On any given night over 1 million men,
women and children find themselves without a home. In fact, women and children represent the
fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Its so important to ensure safety and
proactive programs in every community. We typically build a shelter for forty cents on the
dollar, because of the leadership of the generosity and leadership of the builder captain and their
trade partners.
This is the 67th shelter project to break ground nationwide. Congratulations
To Debora Kerstein and the HBA of Greater Dallas
To the HomeAid Dallas team
To Beazer Homes which is also involved in 4 other locations nationwide.
To the subcontractors, suppliers and consultants who are fuel to complete every homeaid
project,
To Mayor Brown and the city of Dallas for their public partnership in this project,
And especially to Brighter Tomorrows for their tireless dedication to bringing victims to
victory in life.
Thank you.
Bob returns to podium and gives direction for the groundbreaking ceremony and
encourages people to stay for refreshments immediately following.
BOB MORRIS, (Executive Office, HBA of Dallas)
Thanks, Mike. Now folks if you would stand right over here while we break ground for New
Beginnings. Id like all of our speakers to please step right over here. Immediately following,
there will be refreshments under the canopy just over here and we encourage you to stay around
and visit.