Holiday Giving Is An Abiding Pledge With Pardee Homes

Los Angeles HQ's Angel Tree highlights home builder's 9th Annual Outreach Campaign.

2011-12-22

LOS ANGELES, CA, December 22, 2011 (Press-News.org) Giving back to the communities in which it builds is a Pardee Homes tradition that takes on special meaning every holiday season, and perhaps never more so than this year. "A slow economy is hardest on the less fortunate, making useful outreach especially critical," said Mike McGee, president and chief executive officer of the LA-based homebuilder. "Our employees made exceptional efforts this year and their unfailing generosity is truly gratifying."

Pardee's holiday giving campaign was born nine years ago when company employees decided they preferred to spend funds once devoted to their own holiday gatherings in new ways--for others. With financial and volunteer resources, their Holiday Giving program benefits the temporarily homeless, physically or mentally challenged children, senior citizens and others identified by each of Pardee's regional offices.

In the LA corporate offices, employees focus on "Angel Tree" for the RAIN Transitional Living Center (RAIN, TLC) in Camarillo. The Ventura County center is a temporary living facility for up to 135 homeless single adults and families with children. Pardee's efforts here benefit individual residents and the facility itself.

"Angel Tree is a mainstay of our company's annual giving, said Sandra Kitashima, corporate communications coordinator for Pardee Homes. "Since 2003, our LA employees have focused on making the season--and the coming new year--brighter at RAIN."

"Adopting" a RAIN resident, Pardee Homes' LA employees get names from the company Angel Tree and provide gift cards for adults and toys for the children, chosen from the children's wish lists. The goal is to reach all adults and children at RAIN, and a price limit ensures equitable giving.

Santa Claus and Pardee's elves take over from here, delivering gifts for the December 15 party at RAIN. Pardee Homes also organized a book drive for the center, and a clothing drive that provides professional attire for the adults and quality garments for the children. Additionally, employees who wanted to do even more made additional monetary gifts.

Mohawk Carpeting (www.mohawkflooring.com) donated new carpet for RAIN's four common rooms, and Holiday Carpet (www.holidaycarpet.com) donated padding and installed it as an in-kind donation. ValleyCrest Landscaping's Greg Ray served as Santa, and Pardee Homes completed its outreach with a $3,000 donation for RAIN to buy needed items for the facility.

"Pardee Homes has again helped to make our holidays bright," said Tina McDonald, RAIN Program Manager. "Their care and thought translates to meaningful gifts for residents and their children, and to helping residents with the ultimate goal of transitioning to independent living. We thank them for their steadfast, generous support."

RAIN Transitional Living Center (RAIN, TLC) provides quality housing for families and adult individuals, and respite and recuperation for clients with medical conditions. The goal is to put residents into more permanent housing, get them employment, and help them maintain independence. RAIN Communities, Inc is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that partners with the County of Ventura to provide funds for its program services, secured from public and private sources. See http://raincommunities.org/?page_id=20.

Established in 1921, Pardee Homes is recognized for quality new homes, responsive customer service and dedication to the civic goals of the communities in which it builds. The award-winning homebuilder is also widely recognized as an industry leader in green home design and sustainable community planning. Pardee Homes maintains homebuilding operations in Southern California and in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also see www.pardeehomes.com.

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