HomeAid Inland Empire participated at the annual Builders For Babies / HomeAid Essentials Diaper Drive in Anaheim, right under the "Big A" in the Angel Stadium parking lot.
HomeAid Orange County takes the lead on making this event happen, and builders such as Lennar, William Lyon Homes, Meritage Homes, and National Core participate in the building of "Diaper Structures".
HomeAid Inland Empire once again enlisted Carlos Lopez of HMC Architects to assist in the design and build of their structure. Carlos, a member on the HAIE Board of Directors, worked with his staff to create the "diaper throne" as a homage to "Game of Thrones".
Sitting in our "throne", and greeting guests for photo opportunities, was our own Dragon Queen, Elishama Spicer of Pacific Utility Installation, Inc.; a HAIE Board Director always ready to help the cause!
HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay adds that the diaper delivery and storage assistance of Reliable Wholesale Lumber will continue to make a strong impact throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

HomeAid Inland Empire Board Member Mark Dimitruk, of Pacific Western Bank, presented a donation of $10,000 to HAIE during the recent "Essentials for Young Lives" event held at a Lennar model home complex in Jupura Valley.
HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Committee Vice President / Community Engagement member Andy Mulz, of Red Robin Restaurants, was also on hand when the contribution was made to HAIE  Executive Director Julie Reay.

HomeAid Inland Empire's 14th Annual Trap Shoot and Builder Chili Cook-Off set records for most participants AND sponsors... All of which helped create the most successful Trap Shoot and Builder Chili Cook-Off  to date!
With the Riverside Chapter of the Building Industry Association as Host Sponsor, the Riverside County Economic Development Agency as Food Sponsor, and the fantastic volunteers and supporters of HomeAid Inland Empire - Those who shot, cooked chili, or watched as spectators all said they had a great time supporting the mission of HAIE to help end homelessness in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Added to the special events, along with the traditional Annie Oakley tournament was the Double Wobble Trap! The competition was fierce - with some outstanding shooters keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.
The popular raffle drawings always create a big crowd. Gift cards to Turner's Outdoorsman, Carnival Cruise Line, HomeDepot, a Fantasy Springs trip, a huge variety of restaurants, baseball ticket packages, stainless propane grill, high-end Oakley sunglasses, portable clay target thrower, and even rounds of Trap at "our event home" Redlands Shooting Park were up for grabs!

The Temecula Valley Team from Wells Fargo joined together to help Project T.O.U.C.H. renovate one of their newest projects. When complete, the transitional housing facility will consist of four units sorely needed in Murrieta. HomeAid Inland Empire is grateful the Wells Fargo Team can always be counted on to be there when needed.

The 10th Annual "Essentials for Young Lives" event will run April 1st - May 10th, 2019.
Last year's event brought in over 231,000 baby essentials - Cases of disposable diapers in sizes from 1 through 5, unscented baby wipes, baby food, baby shampoo, feeding bottles, cotton swabs... all the many things our most vulnerable must have.
When HomeAid Inland Empire supporters pull up to designated provider facilities, the look of gratitude on the faces of the residents and caregivers warms the heart.
The "Essentials for Young Lives" program is so very important. We hope you are able to donate and change lives for families throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

HomeAid Inland Empire was represented at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Mary's Village in San Bernardino. The 10 acre / 115 bed transitional housing complex for the men of San Bernardino is a long-term program to help homeless men get educated, improve their self-esteem, and get back into the mainstream world.
On hand for the ceremonial tossing of the dirt were (L-R) Ray Osborne, HAIE Board Member Brian King of Lennar Homes, HAIE Board Member Greg Armbruster of Arcadia Cabinetry, HAIE Executive Committee President Dave Reynolds of Boudreau Pipeline, Mary's Mercy Center Vice-President/Administrator Michael Hein, HAIE Executive Director Julie Reay, HAIE Board Member Mark Dimitruk of Pacific Western Bank, Mary's Mercy Center President/Chairman of the Board Father Michael Barry, and Crestwood Communities Vice-President of Operations Terry Kent, who is also the Builder Captain for the project.
(Unavailable for photograph is HAIE Executive Vice President Lisa Weldy of Meridian Land Development)

December 20, 2018 saw the ribbon cutting ceremony of The Grove Village.
On hand were HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay, along with Housing Development Director Ray Osborne, and Building Industry Association - Riverside County Chapter Chief Executive Officer Bill Blankenship.
Comprised of four separate 600 square-foot homes on the campus of The Grove Community Church in Riverside; This one-of-a-kind project includes donated land, time, talent, services and funding from hundreds of stakeholders and local companies.
HomeAid Inland Empire and the Riverside County Chapter of BIA presented a check of almost $26,000, which represented their donations of cash and materials to the project.
The homes will provide transitional housing for homeless individuals and families who are trying to work their way out of homelessness. Program participants will have access to a variety of services designed to aid in their journey to self-sufficiency, including job training and placement, child care, life skills and financial planning.
This first project of its kind in the region is the next step in reducing the incidence of homelessness in Riverside.

When HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay recently made a trip to Reliable Lumber in Riverside to coordinate the dispersion of diapers and wipes from the annual "Essentials for Young Lives" event, she met with Riley Richards of Reliable Lumber, where she presented Riley a certificate for their generous donation of materials to renovate the Central City Lutheran Mission Job-Training House in San Bernardino.
Not only has Reliable Lumber been a supporter of HomeAid Inland Empire's building and renovation projects; Their expansive facility has graciously housed "Essentials for Young Lives" supplies for distribution... pallets of diapers in various sizes, baby wipes... anything they are asked to store. The yard foreman, forklift drivers, pallet wrappers, and truck drivers all help to serve HomeAid Inland Empire's needs when it comes to the apportion of baby essentials.
Thank you Reliable Lumber!

Double-whammy! The Central City Lutheran Mission Job-Training House is complete, and ground is broken for the CCLM Emergency Shelter Dormitory for Men in San Bernardino. You'll be hearing from HomeAid Inland Empire about all of the trade partners and companies that contributed to this amazing project in a future blog posting.

Loading up the truck (4 across and 12-15 deep) with backpacks and school supplies for delivery to Valley Restart Shelter in Hemet. Tuesday's stop will also include the truck's 8-foot bed full of food, courtesy of Stater Bros. in Hemet. After we deliver the food to VRS - it's back to the Stater Bros. for another truckload of food for delivery to Veronica's Home of Mercy in San Bernardino.
Then this Saturday, July 28, it will be the 2018 "Full Bellies, Warm Hearts" event in Hemet. The kids will receive the backpacks full of school supplies, plus there will be gift cards for clothing and shoes. Food, entertainers, a petting zoo, and lots more will be happening.
And then the following Saturday, August 4, "Full Bellies, Warm Hearts" happens all over again in San Bernardino!