Habitat Vail Valley celebrates 30 years with 30 home starts at annual Carpenters’ Ball
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Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley is celebrating 30 years with 30 home starts, and to achieve its big 2025 goal, the nonprofit is seeking community support.
Everyone can have a hand in building homes and hope at the annual Carpenters’ Ball fundraiser. The event is held Saturday, March 8, at The Hythe Vail.
Since its founding, the nonprofit has built 146 homes in partnership with families, volunteers and business partners. It started building 1 home per year, then grew to four to six per year. Over the past three years, 46 homes were built. In celebration of 30 years of building homes, hope and community, Habitat is taking on an unprecedented challenge of building 30 homes in just one year.
“We started as a small, determined group of people wanting to make a difference. We still have the passion but we’ve grown. As the need for more homes grows, so do our goals,” says John Welaj, the nonprofit’s CEO and president.
Everyone gets to be part of building and believing at the Carpenters’ Ball — a night of community, partnerships, revelry and fundraising.
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“We have a few exciting new elements at the Carpenters’ Ball,” said Caitlin Pauls, the event manager. “We sold out quickly this year. Party-goers look forward to this event because they get to see friends, business partners and coworkers while helping build a stronger community.”
Habitat Vail Valley is a home builder and a community builder. The first homeowners from 25 and 30 years ago are still very much a part of the fabric of the community and Habitat Vail Valley.
“It’s the whole point of what we do — building with families so they can stay and be part of our community. They are the heart of our vital workforce and the Carpenters’ Ball is a chance to celebrate them,” Pauls said.
Habitat Vail Valley piloted modular home building in 2024 with a 16-home development at Adam’s Way in Eagle. Twelve of those homeowners are school district employees. This year, in partnership with the town of Vail and Eagle County, Habitat is financing 20 homes at Timber Ridge in Vail — 0% loans for the future homeowners, ensuring they will pay no more than 30% of their gross pay.
Ten homes will be built in Gypsum — the third project the two organizations have partnered on. Currently, 16 homes are being built at Stratton Flats in Gypsum. Four lots remain for future homeowners.
“The Carpenters’ Ball is a way for the entire community to come together, to celebrate home, hope and community building,” Welaj adds. “It’s always such a fun night and important to help us achieve our mission of building more homes with hardworking locals.”
The Carpenters’ Ball is sold out, but the auction is open. When you bid and buy, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley builds. No need to attend the event to bid and be part of the action! Learn more at CarpentersBall.org.
