HomeAid Inland Empire had their 13th Annual Trap Shoot and Builder Chili Cook-Off this past May 4th. Held at Redlands Shooting Park - where Olympic Gold Medalist Kim Rhode chose to train - a group of over 180 participated to raise awareness and funds for HomeAid Inland Empire.
Returning Honorary Chairman Sheriff Stan Sniff was on hand, as was Celebrity Guest Joe Mantegna, of "Criminal Minds" fame, and host of "Gun Stories".
Along with trophies for the top shooting teams, individuals, and Annie Oakley Competition winner; Chili Cook-Off and Favorite Cookie awards were presented.
HomeAid Inland Empire sends out a huge "thank you" to all of our Corporate Partners, Field and Food Sponsors, Trophy and Photo Sponsors, and raffle prize donors. And lastly, thank you to all who participated - purchasing shooting packages, buying raffle and 50/50 tickets, and our hard-working volunteers who spent countless hours preparing, setting up, and dismantling the entire operation!

HomeAid Inland Empire was on hand for the ​Project Independence Honor Home dedication ceremony in beautiful Murrieta. Rancho Damacitas Children & Family Services welcomed a huge group of supporters, including the main service provider of the project, Lennar. Along with the De Luz Women's Club, In-N-Out Burger Foundation, Murrieta Development, Inc., and Pechanga Resort & Casino, HomeAid Inland Empire were given a hearty "thank you" for their support, plus a beautiful plaque. More images of the event are on the HomeAid Inland Empire "Projects" page.

HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay meets with CeeCee Curtis of First American Title, Sarai Garrett of Pulse Marketing, and Elishama Spicer of Pacific Utility Installation, Inc. at the HAIE offices, while Kim Hooper of Legacy Homes participates via phone.
After 2017's inaugural Champions Breakfast, we want to make the 2018 event even more successful.
Talk of who will be this year's honorees was... well, THAT'S A SECRET! The nomination process is being fine-tuned, and other details prepared. Definitely more to come...

Elishama Spicer of Pacific Utility Installation, Inc. came to the HomeAid Inland Empire offices for a meeting with HAIE Executive Director Julie Reay​, ​regarding the upcoming Essentials for Young Lives campaign. Also in attendance via conference call were HAIE Board Members Evelyn Hawkins of All Southern California Escrow, Inc., Renee Hunt-Moore of Arrowhead Credit Union, Carlos Lopez of HMC Architects, and Francine Wallace of Pulte Group. Elishama and Julie are shown next to collection boxes that become filled with diapers, wipes, and other baby essentials donated by supporters of our mission. 

Central City Lutheran Mission was the meeting place for discussion of improvements to multiple buildings to house those in need. Lots of plans and ideas were examined by a wide variety of talented individuals.
Among those present were HomeAid Inland Empire Board Members Carlos Lopez of HMC Architects, Dave Reynolds of Boudreau Pipeline, and Mike Dimitruk of Community Bank, along with HAIE Executive Director Julie Reay and Housing Development Director Ray Osborne. ​Brian Gridley of TR Design Group offered his expertise, as did Cesar Martinez of Wells Fargo. 

Six Cal Baptist University Nursing Students (plus instructor) met with HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay to prepare 150 CareKits for distribution to those in need.
The CareKits are convenient drawstring backpacks that are easily kept in your vehicle for sharing. It's an opportunity to help those who may approach you at a freeway off-ramp, a turn-signal island, or in front of a retail store. Sometimes, and rightly so, it doesn't seem like money is the best option.
Each HomeAid Inland Empire CareKit has bottled water, a nutritious snack, clean socks, a rain poncho, survival blanket, hand warmers, soap, deodorant, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a 211 Card - Which can put the unsheltered person or family in touch with resources to house them, and provide additional meals & sanitary conditions. It's not just a handout, but a hand up.
The Cal Baptist Nursing volunteers and supporters of HomeAid Inland Empire are:
Instructor - Amanda Hollingsworth, MSN, RN
Justina Dreschler, SN, CBU
Celeste Merlin, SN, CBU
Miranda Allred, SN, CBU
Nicole San Martin, SN, CBU
Arley Garcia, SN, CBU
​Jennifer Ruiz, SN, CBU

HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay is pictured with Harold Vandiver of All Southern California Escrow, Inc. and 1-2-3 HomeKeys. Harold, an important supporter of HAIE, wasn't able to attend the 2017 Champions Breakfast event last November, so Julie caught up with him at the 1-2-3 HomeKeys Agent Networking Meeting this past week in Pomona.

As HomeAid Inland Empire gears up for the 2018 Essentials for Young Lives event, Executive Director Julie Reay coordinated the distribution of remaining diapers and baby wipes to our service providers - including Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, Foothill Family Shelter, High Desert Homeless Services, LSS Genesis House, Mary's Mercy Center, Operation Grace, Operation SafeHouse, Path of Life Ministries, Project T.O.U.C.H., Rancho Damacitas Empowerment Village, Time for Change, Valley Restart Shelter, and Veronica's Home of Mercy.
And it couldn't have been done without the support of our volunteers - including 8 members of Wells Fargo Team Jacob, 3 members of Wells Fargo Team Karen, and some BIA/LOT Team members: Brian Bush of Diversified Pacific Communities, Ronald Contreras of Fusion Sign & Design, and Elishama Spicer of Pacific Utility Installation.
PLUS - A big THANK YOU to Reliable Lumber for storing these important baby essentials, and offering their great staff to stage the supplies, move them around, and do whatever is needed to help!

HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay meets with Rod Tawasha of US Bank, Lisa Weldy of Meridian Land Development, and Judy Hosseini of Paramount Residential Mortgage Group to discuss the upcoming 13th Annual Trap Shoot and Builder Chili Cook-Off. This year's event will be held on May the 4th at Redlands Shooting Park. Expect the usual fun, food, and competition!  

HomeAid Inland Empire Executive Director Julie Reay was invited by GreenBee Concrete Construction Sales Manager Alisha Abrahamson to see their offices, tour the facilities, and learn more about what they do... and how they can assist HomeAid IE.
​GreenBee specializes in every facet of concrete foundation construction through self-performing all of the associated functions; trenching, form setting, grading, reinforcement, concrete place & finish, and grinding. GreenBee is currently building concrete foundations all throughout Southern California, including Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Imperial County, San Diego County, Orange County and Los Angeles County.
We look forward to collaborating with the GreenBee team in our efforts to end homelessness!