GCU News Bureau
Habitat for Humanity of Central Arizona is moving its annual “Blueprints and Blue Jeans” fundraising gala online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event, which brings together supporters to raise funds and awareness for Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities and hope in the Valley, has been remade into “Helping Habitat from Home” and is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday.
Proceeds will support Habitat’s Aging in Place program, which serves financially disadvantaged seniors who own their homes. The focus of this unique initiative is to make needed repairs and improvements that will enable older adults to safely stay in their own homes.
“We are finding a growing number of seniors needing our help," said Liz Pabst-Wanless, Director of Central Development for Habitat. "This vulnerable population is struggling because many are retired and living on a fixed income. They often must choose between house payments, food and health care. Home repairs and modifications are not a priority and often not addressed, causing the home to become unhealthy and not safe.”
So far this fiscal year, GCU’s Operation Revival neighborhood revitalization initiative has served 51 families in the Canyon Corridor, of which 32 of those families had someone over the age of 65 living in the home.
The AIP program is of particular interest in the context of COVID-19 relief. “We anticipate to have an elderly population that could use deep cleans and radical disinfecting in their homes during the next 18-24 months while a vaccine for the virus is being developed,” Pabst-Wanless said.
The Habitat from Home event is open to the public -- learn the details and register to attend here. In addition to the two special guests, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and former Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, GCU President Brian Mueller has recorded a message for attendees. Here's a video that explains why this mission is so important.
