BY BILL PHILLIPS
Deciding to purchase a new house is a big decision. But what if you knew the net proceeds of your purchase was going to a local charity?
That’s exactly what can happen with a new house now under construction on Links Drive in the Aberdeen subdivision. The 2,525-square-foot house is being built by Copper Falls Custom Homes and, for the second year in a row, proceeds of the sale of the house will go to the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation.
“Last year was a big success and we really hoping we would get a lucky home buyer to buy last year’s house and be able to make a donation,” said Jeff Stewart, one of Copper Falls’ directors. “It worked out better than we had hoped and we want to do it again.”
Last year the project resulted in a $90,000 donation to the local health care charity, which was shared between three areas of health care; breast health imaging, the dedicated maternal OR, and the ortho video OR towers.
“When they reached out to us last year, it was just amazing,” said Judy Neiser, CEO of the Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation. “This is really (Copper Falls’) brainchild. They came up with the idea, they are reaching out to the contractors, subcontractors, people who support them and they’ve really got together a great team who support us in a great way.”
Stewart says it wasn’t a tough sell when they approached the contractors they work with on a regular basis were quick to jump on board as well. In fact, 41 local contractors and subcontractors have signed on to help. Basically, the house is built at cost and the profits of the sale go to Spirit of the North. Picking Spirit of the North as the beneficiary was an easy choice as well.
“Everybody’s touched by health care,” said Stewart. “Whether we’re born in a hospital or whether later on in life we need medical help, it touches everybody. So it’s an easy one for us to be behind.”
Stewart, and fellow Copper Falls director Brent Scheck will sit down with Neiser at the end of the campaign to decide where to direct any funds raised this year. As for the house, the framing is going up now and it should be a lock-up stage shortly. You can check it out at 2802 Links Drive … if you’re looking for a new home or if you just want to cruise by and thank the workers for helping a local charity.
