HBA Home for the Holidays 2022

Building Dreams

The HBA Charitable & Education Foundation and Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana are making wishes come true through the annual A Home for the Holidays raffle.

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Making Wishes Come True

e’re excited to be partnering with the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleveland’s Charitable & Education Foundation (HBACEF) for a third year to give someone the chance to win a new home or cash Thanks to the HBA, generous sponsors and ticket buyers, in the past two years, we’ve been able to grant more than 30 wishes for Northeast Ohio kids with critical illnesses, some of whom you’ll learn more about in the coming pages. According to our 2022 national wish impact study of Make-A-Wish alums, out of 10 wish kids reported that the wish experience relieved out of 10 wish parents saw their child’s emotional well-being out of 10 medical providers say a wish increased compliance out of 10 wish kids reported that their wish gave them the strength

Simply put, a wish can be powerful medicine. We’re grateful for the support of the HBACEF and all its partners. We can’t grant wishes without people like you, and we hope you know how big of a difference you’re making for children in our community.

Stephanie McCormick President & CEO, Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana

A Message From the Mayor

orth Royalton has managed to preserve its quaint, rural feel, despite being minutes from Downtown. The win ner of the HBA A Home for the Holidays raffle will have the chance to become part of this close-knit group of neighbors and call this beautiful community home. Sharing that is a privilege in itself, but this program is about so much more. With ev ery ticket sold, participants have the opportunity to provide a bright spot in the lives of children undergoing the unimaginable — battles children should never have to face. Because of the community’s sup port, these kids are able to take a break from their challenges and experience pure joy — the best kind of medicine. We are honored to be a part of that for the second consecutive year.

Sincerely,

Larry Antoskiewicz Mayor, North Royalton

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REACH FOR THE STARS

Discover how A Home for the Holidays supports HBA’s Charitable & Education Foundation, as well as helps Make-A-Wish OKI grant life-changing wishes to children throughout Northeast Ohio.

by rachel hagenbaugh

The last thing parents expect to hear is that their child has a critical ill ness. One day, their happy-go-lucky youngster is playing in the yard, going to school and spending time with friends. The next day, their world is turned upside down by the diagnosis of a critical illness. This is just the start of a long physical and emo tional roller coaster for thousands of fami lies throughout the country.

Thankfully, a glimmer of hope exists to help provide strength to those who are suf fering. Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & In diana (OKI) gives children a chance to turn their luck around and make them feel ac knowledged, loved and appreciated.

“Everybody needs the hope of a wish, espe cially with these children and families going through COVID-19 on top of everything else

they’re facing,” says Katie Ferrell, director of marketing and communications at Make-AWish OKI, which grants life-changing wishes for children ages 2-and-a-half to 18 years old. “Make-A-Wish takes a lot of pride in bringing families together and helping them rewrite their narrative after experiencing so much dis appointment, fear and uncertainty.”

This mission touched the hearts of those at the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Cleveland, which in 2020 was look ing for a charitable partner for its new A Home for the Holidays fundraiser.

“We looked at all different charities,” says Brenda Callaghan, HBA’s executive director. “Make-A-Wish is a regional foundation, so we’re able to make wishes come true for kids who live in our own back yards. That was very important to us.”

Makings of Miracles

Now in its third year, HBA’s A Home for the Holidays event is impactful for two reasons — it helps Make-A-Wish fulfill children’s wishes and supports the HBA’s Charitable & Education Foundation, which provides funds for student scholarships and construction trades programs.

“In two short years, we’ve been able to raise funds for workforce development, and it’s moving so fast,” Callaghan says, revealing plans to bring the Home Builders Institute’s (HBI) new Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Training (PACT) program to the region. “That covers nine trades and is a course that was ap proved in February 2021 by the state of Ohio construction curriculum. We are hoping to introduce it to schools in Northeast Ohio and launch a pilot program within the next year.”

Over the past two years, A Home for the Holidays has raised more than $330,000 for both Make-A-Wish OKI and HBA’s Charita ble & Education Foundation.

“Through the success of the Home for the Holidays raffle, we’ve been able to grant 33 wishes for kids across Northeast Ohio,” Ferrell says. “We keep seeing more and more support, as people realize we’re granting wishes for children right here in the community.”

For the HBA’s Charitable & Education Foundation, the funds mean exposing high school students to the many possibilities that are available to them with a career in the building trades industry. Last year, the HBA led 200 students from Cuyahoga Valley

Career Center on hard hat tours to see homes in various stages of development. Next year, HBA is hoping to host a job fair.

“This is very important because we’re getting students involved in the residential construction process,” Callaghan says, add ing that the goal is to encourage students to not only get involved in the building trades, but also consider owning their own busi ness someday. “I grew up in the construc tion industry and have been around it for 30 years. It’s been great to finally be able to make an impact on the industry.”

Callaghan adds that events like A Home for the Holidays are vital to the success of nonprofit organizations, especially during the past couple of years when many fundrais ing events were canceled due to COVID-19.

“We partnered with Make-A-Wish know ing what those kids were going through during the pandemic,” Callaghan says. “The importance of making those wishes come true hit home for all of us.”

Ferrell agrees, adding that little compares to the feeling of being able to give hope to children who are suffering. Research shows that receiving a wish relieves kids of traumatic stress, improves their emotional

well-being and increases their compliance with treatments. Most importantly, children reveal that it helps give them the strength to fight their critical illness.

“It’s a game changer and brings so much joy to the family to be a part of the process,” Ferrell says. “We’re so grateful to the HBACEF and ev eryone who purchases tickets for the A Home for the Holidays event. We can’t grant wishes alone. It takes a community coming together.”

Royal Treatment

In March 2020, 6-year-old Eva Smith was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease. When Make-A-Wish reached out to find out what the organization could do for her, Eva’s immediate response was a trip to Disney World. Travel restrictions were in place due to the pandemic, but Eva also needed to stay as healthy as possible due to the possibility of participating in a medical trial. Two years later, Eva’s parents found out that the trial was on hold. At the same time, travel restrictions were being lifted, allowing Eva’s wish to be fulfilled.

“It was surreal at that moment and awe some that it was going to happen,” Eva’s dad, Brendan Smith, says. “We were look ing for a way to make memories and share

experiences and figure out how to live life, so it was perfect timing.”

The week before the trip, Eva’s wish grant er surprised her with a party at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo complete with food donat ed by Angelo’s Pizza and volunteers who dressed up as Disney princesses.

“Eva was having the best time,” her dad says, adding that when she found out her wish was being granted, “she lit up, and ev eryone started cheering. You could tell she was so happy and excited. It was a moment where she was just a normal girl loving life.”

In May 2022, Eva, along with her parents and two siblings, left for Florida. Make-AWish took care of all of the travel arrange ments. Upon arrival, Give Kids the World and Disney World took over to provide the family with royal treatment.

“When we showed up, they immediate ly catered to us,” Smith says, adding that in addition to passes to every park, the family also didn’t have to wait in line for rides, was given spending money to buy souvenirs, participated in private meetand-greets with various Disney characters and much more. At Give Kids the World, a magical resort dedicated to serving

Happy Holidays

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I can’t explain how much it did for us in that moment in time.”

– Brendan Smith

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children with critical illnesses, the bou tique where kids get makeovers, was closed. So, a volunteer came to the resort’s spa and gave Eva a makeover.

“It was an amazing day, very emotional,” Smith remembers. “At one point, Eva asked if she was a princess, and we said, ‘Yes, to day you are.”

Smith says the entire experience is some thing his family will remember for the rest of their lives.

“I can’t explain how much it did for us in that moment in time,” he says, adding that Eva’s diagnosis has been an overwhelming change that puts stress on the entire fam ily. “It’s a lot for her siblings to deal with, but they never complain about it, which is amazing. They equally deserved this time to make good memories with Eva.”

A Day of Yes

Lisa Lint will never forget the day she found out her 11-year-old daughter, Halle Lint, had leukemia.

“It was a shock, to say the least. The last thing you expect to hear is that your child has cancer, and it’s scary,” Lisa says. “There were days she literally slept all day.”

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Halle, who lives in Broadview Heights, and her parents, spent a lot of time in the hospital. Although the doctors and nurses were amazing, it was still depressing, espe cially in the pediatric intensive care unit. But one thing that lifted their spirits was think ing about what gift Halle would ask Make-AWish to provide.

Halle fondly remembers the day the organi zation granted her wish for a shopping spree. It was the day before her 14th birthday — a day where everything went her way. She could buy whatever she wanted, and there were no needles, wires or ill effects from medication.

“It meant so much — the world — that a day was dedicated to me and not having to deal with problems, and everything was good,” she says. “A shopping spree sounded great because I could buy anything I wanted, and my parents couldn’t say, ‘no.’”

The $4,000 extravaganza started at the I-X Center’s Cleveland Christmas Connec tion event. From there, she visited South park Mall, where she was given a gift basket filled with presents upon arrival. Among her favorite purchases was a pair of sage green Converse, a pair of red Dr. Martens and an oversized pillow cushion from Earthbound

Trading Co. that she’d had her eye on for four years.

“I felt so appreciated and like someone was seeing what I’d been through,” she says. Now, looking back on all that she’s experi enced, Halle focuses on the joy and good memories she had on that day.

“Make-A-Wish provides a bright spot for kids who are in a dark place,” Lisa says. “No child or human being should be in a place like that. But it does restore your faith in hu manity when you see organizations that are bringing that starlight into the world.”

A Galactic Adventure

Jay Pabley, a 10-year-old Shaker Heights res ident, has been a Star Wars fan for his entire life. When he was 3 years old, he was diag nosed with leukemia. During treatments and hours spent at the hospital, Jay, his older sister and their parents bonded over Star Wars, from movies and TV shows to Lego sets.

In 2019, Make-A-Wish contacted Jay to find out what he wanted for his wish. He decided on a trip to the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, a two-night, live-action adven ture that was to be built in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Florida. Then, the

I felt so appreciated and like someone was seeing what I’d been through.”

– Halle

pandemic hit, limiting travel and, potential ly, the destination’s development. Jay’s par ents asked him if he wanted another wish. He said no and patiently waited for the op portunity of a lifetime.

“Make-A-Wish always stayed in commu nication with us about it. In the meantime, they peppered us with treats and things to

keep his spirits up,” Jay’s dad, Keith Pabley, says. “Even if you don’t get what you want right away, the hope that Make-A-Wish brings helps people get through the day.”

In February 2022, Disney called to notify Jay that the hotel was opening, and his fam ily could be among the first to visit it. In ad dition to the immersive, once-in-a-lifetime

The hope that Make-A-Wish brings helps people get through the day.”

– Keith Pabley

experience, Jay and his family also spent sev eral days at Give Kids the World, where they were given passes to visit Disney World’s parks.

“It’s something we never would have been able to do without Make-A-Wish,” he says. “As a family, it was an amazing experi ence and memory that we’ll have forever.”

Jay recalls the day he found out his long-awaited wish was going to be granted.

“I was really excited. I had been waiting for this for almost four years and could final ly do it,” he says, adding that his advice to other children going through what he faced is to “keep waiting and know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Piece of Paradise

Nothing is impossible. That’s what Megan Rollinson remembers Make-A-Wish OKI telling her 12-year-old son, Fletcher, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor nearly six months before, in July 2019. The Rocky River residents had been experiencing a challenging several months. Megan was in Memphis, Ten nessee, at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospi tal, where Fletcher was receiving treatment for his rare condition. Her husband and daughter stayed home, visiting as often as they could.

“At the time, Fletcher was fixated on the idea of Australia,” she says. “He grew up watching Steve Irwin and loving the Irwin children and had an interest in the Great Barrier Reef and was always a water shark.”

Make-A-Wish OKI had never granted a wish trip to Australia and was very excited

about making this dream come true. Me gan and Fletcher returned home in March 2020, with plans to take the entire family to Australia in December. Then, the pan demic hit. Make-A-Wish asked if there was something else Fletcher wanted, but he was really interested in traveling. In fall 2021, when travel restrictions were lifted in the U.S., Make-A-Wish reached out to see if Fletcher would be interested in going to Hawaii. He was ecstatic and overwhelmed by the prospect of such a generous gift. In spring 2022, Fletcher and his family spent 10 days in Maui.

As part of the trip, Make-A-Wish took care of the family’s flight and hotel stay and ar ranged scuba diving lessons, as well as pro vided them with an allowance to use toward meals and activities. Make-A-Wish also put them in touch with a contact in Maui, who gave them recommendations for restaurants and activities to enjoy during their trip.

“Fletcher’s favorite part about Hawaii was scuba diving. We were able to see sea turtles and fish that were ridiculously beautiful. He loved that,” Megan says, adding that the family took advantage of everything the is land had to offer, from surfing lessons and

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helicopter rides to snorkeling and exploring black sand beaches.

“I thought it brought us a lot closer, and it was really fun to share that experience with my family,” Fletcher says of the trip.

As Megan reflects on what her family has been through, she thinks back to the time she and Fletcher spent brainstorming what he wanted for his wish. That experience gave her son hope and something to dream about.

“When I found out I was going to get a wish, I didn’t really know how it worked. When they told me, I was pretty excited, because there were so many possibilities, but I also was very touched that they chose me,” Fletcher says. “It gave me something to look forward to, be cause there were so many bad, negative things happening at the time that made me sad, and this was something that brightened it.”

“It took the focus off of the hard stuff that was happening, and it really gave him some thing positive to think about and look forward to,” Megan adds. “We were able to look up the wishes of other children and see the breadth of what Make-A-Wish does as an organization. “The work they do is inspiring to so many fam ilies. It’s a way to bring joy to those who are facing some pretty tough times.”

– Fletcher

There were so many bad, negative things happening at the time that made me sad, and this was something that brightened it.”

BUILDERS WITH BIG HEARTS

by rachel hagenbaugh

ABOUT THE HOME

When it comes to celebrat ing the holidays, some of the most special moments manifest from opportunities to give back to those in need. That generos ity is felt throughout Northeast Ohio as hun dreds of people come together to celebrate a new Cleveland tradition and raise funds for causes meaningful to Northeast Ohio.

For the third year in a row, the Home Builders Association of Greater Cleve land’s Charitable & Education Foundation (HBACEF) will be raffling off a home for its A Home for the Holidays event. Proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indi ana (OKI), which grants life-changing wish es for children with critical illnesses, as well as the HBA’s Charitable & Education Foun dation, an organization that provides funds for student scholarships and construction trades programs.

Last year, A Home for the Holidays sold more than 10,000 tickets and raised more than $150,000 for each charitable

organization. This year, the organization’s goal is to sell 15,000 tickets.

Putting on an event of this magnitude is no easy feat, especially in the middle of a pandemic. Throughout the past two years, builders have faced everything from lumber and supply shortages to appliance and fur niture delays that set projects back by sev eral months. Despite all of this, A Home for the Holidays prevailed.

“I give credit to all of our members for making this event possible,” says Brenda Callaghan, executive director for HBA of Greater Cleveland, adding that each year, about 50 businesses, from vendors to trades people, donate or discount their time, exper tise and materials to build the home that is raffled. Luxury Heating Co. in Elyria, for exam ple, donated labor and materials for this proj ect. The builder, Edgewood Homes, located in North Royalton, donated all of its services.

“Watching our members come togeth er to help build this home showcases how important Make-A-Wish and HBA’s

Charitable & Education Foundation is to the community,” Callaghan says.

This year, knowing the continued strug gles the industry was facing, as well as new challenges, such as concrete shortag es, the HBA started planning for this year’s event early. The result is a spectacularly built and uniquely designed home that will get visitors into the holiday spirit.

“Mike Kandra, of Edgewood Homes, was phenomenal to work with,” Callaghan says. “His team builds a beautiful home.”

Ticket holders who experienced the magnificence of 2021’s A Home for the Holidays event will recognize the area, as this year’s home also is being built in the Pine Hill subdivision in North Royalton.

“It’s conveniently located off of State Road, close to shopping and dining des tinations, and doesn’t come with any homeowner’s association fee,” says Cal laghan. “Plus, it’s on a large lot, so you get a little bit of that country feel because the houses aren’t right on top of each other.”

Custom-built, 2,517-square-foot ranch complete with a walkout basement, three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and a three-car garage built in the Pine Hill subdivision in North Royalton by Edgewood Homes.

unique. Outside, the craftsmen-style ranch home combines an array of textures and colors for visual appeal. Inside, the cus tom-built, 2,517-square-foot space fea tures an open-floor plan complete with 10-foot ceilings, three bedrooms, two-anda-half bathrooms, a walkout basement and three-car garage.

Throughout the home, Sheely’s Furniture, a supply store with locations in North Lima and Aurora, once again added their finish ing touches to bring the spaces together.

that after the tours end, people will have the opportunity to purchase the Sheely’s Furniture pieces that appear in the home. Those interested in purchasing tickets for the raffle also will want to be on the look out for special prize packages that will be available. Those who buy a ticket during a specific week will be automatically en tered into a second drawing for a chance to win that week’s prize package.

Pulling into the driveway, you’ll immedi ately want to purchase another raffle ticket to increase your chances of winning this exquisite residence, valued at $669,000. Make no mistake — although this house is located across the street from the one HBA raffled last year — it couldn’t be more

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• Online: HBAHomeForTheHolidays.org

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“They really add a ‘wow’ factor to the house with some very stunning pieces and focal points,” Callaghan says. “Last year, everyone who walked through the home thought it was beautifully furnished.”

This year, Callaghan says one of the exciting new aspects of the raffle will be

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Tour the Home

• M, T, Th, F, Sat., Sun. - Noon–5 p.m.

• Wed. - Noon–8 p.m.

• Closed: Dec. 24–25 & Dec. 31

• Virtual Tour: HBAHomefortheHolidays.org

Overall, A Home for the Holidays is a win-win for those involved in the event and the organizations it supports.

“We have builders already lined up to build the A Home for the Holidays residence for the next two years,” Callaghan says. “It’s a testament to how much this means to them and the community.”

Winning Ticket

• Chance to win home at 5460 Brookhaven Drive, North Royalton, or a cash prize

• Winner will be drawn on Dec. 31

• Notified by phone and mail

HOUSE OF LIGHTS

Proud Provider of Lighting for Make a Wish! 5818 Mayfield Road (1 Mile West of I-271) Mayfield Heights, OH 440-449-3500 www.houseoflights.biz

Despite all of the challenges with the pandemic, including supply and labor shortages, our members continued to step up.”

– Brenda Callaghan

HOME FOR HOPES AND DREAMS

The sky’s the limit for HBA members involved in the construction and furnishing of this year’s A Home for the Holidays.

by rachel hagenbaugh

Aliving piece of art. That’s how Mike Kandra, owner of Edge wood Homes, describes the houses he builds. Take one glance at this year’s A Home for the Holi days masterpiece, and you’ll understand exactly what he means. From the outside, construction features highlight the grow ing popularity of the craftsman-style ranch home, with subtle nods to the modern farm house. Visual appeal abounds as stone and metal textures seamlessly blend with warm and cool tones, resulting in a home that exemplifies what happens when you let a builder’s creativity run wild. For the A Home for the Holidays house, the sky’s the limit.

“Every house we build is a little different. To be able to create something that’s yours — that you built for someone — is amazing. It’s unique, and we help create that piece of art,” Kandra says, adding that he’s proud that the house the Home Builders Associa tion (HBA) of Greater Cleveland is raffling is once again located in his hometown of North Royalton. “In this case, we pick every thing out with professionals who know the trends and what’s coming up. Everything is very well thought out.”

These days, Kandra says, creating a home design that will appeal to any

homebuyer is all about simple, clean lines. Houses also are becoming more modern in design and style, and this year’s home, located in the Pine Hill subdivision, is just that. Slate gray metal accents, vertical sid ing and black windows and shingles pro vide smooth transitions and contrast to the light tan stucco, gray stone and medium brown columns that draw attention to the home’s front door.

Inside, the 2,517-square-foot open floor plan features 10-foot ceilings, as well as an office, three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bath rooms, a modern tray ceiling in the great room, walkout basement and three-car garage. There’s also a hidden pantry in the kitchen.

“Inside, we will have predominately white walls and black windows, with gold and black light fixtures and light to medium brown cabinetry with some black highlights to them,” Kandra notes. Hardwood floors mirror the warmth of the cabinetry, while the bathrooms bring in more neutral hues with varying gray tones.

The primary suite is located on the op posite side of the house, away from the secondary bedrooms. The en-suite prima ry bath incorporates features that are pop ular with today’s homebuyers, including a double vanity and large walk-in shower.

When it comes to the home office, Kandra says making those spaces more aesthetical ly pleasing is on a lot of homeowners’ wish lists. In this home’s case, the office’s 13-foot ceiling not only helps the room feel more spa cious but also makes the house look bigger from the outside, adding more visual appeal.

A Home for the Holidays

This year, getting an early start to fur nishing the HBA’s A Home for the Holidays made a world of difference in Sheely’s Fur niture’s ability to highlight the reasons the company has been in business for 70 years.

“We’ve had a wonderful opportunity to work more closely with the HBA and the builder on what’s going on step by step,” says Jessica Smith, co-owner of Sheely’s Furniture. “We were able to be really thor ough and intentional with each piece we selected, which is amazing for us because we had time to go through each vendor and select the best piece for each space.”

Like Kandra, Smith welcomed the chal lenge of furnishing a custom home with little direction, and before the home was even built.

“You’re not seeing the fixtures or hardware or cabinetry or any of that,” she says. “We just took the vibe that was given to us with the rendering and worked with the builder in hopes that he had a similar mindset.”

Having worked together to bring last year’s home to fruition, Smith says she’s al ways been fond of Edgewood Homes’ work, and this year’s home was no exception.

“There are a lot of different textural de tails and navy, blacks and neutral colors, likes gray and cream tones,” Smith says. “It’s really pretty.”

Smith also boasts about the home’s lo cation in a cul-de-sac in a safe area with a great school district and a lot of opportuni ties for growth.

“North Royalton is growing, and it’s upand-coming,” she says, adding that the collaboration and materials donated by var ious vendors, as well as the builder, is one of the most unique aspects of the home. “It speaks to the dedication of not only the builder, but other vendors — that they’re willing to build this home in such a beautiful area and make it such a wonderful home to raise as much money as possible.”

In terms of the direction Smith’s team took with the furnishings, picture yourself nestled by the fire in a modern lodge in Aspen, Colorado.

“Streamlined and simplistic, but beautiful — we’re using a lot of natural elements and mixed wood tones, along with a lot of tex ture — different furs and velvets and linens to give it that warm feel that you just want to cozy up with a warm cup of tea,” Smith says. “It still has some natural elements as far as knotty pine furniture pieces, but the overall style is more vintage than farmhouse rustic.”

With its warm tones and textural variety, it’s something everyone will like. “It’s more transitional and timeless,” Smith says. “We’re mixing a lot of different and unique pieces, but they are still super classic and simple when it comes to design.”

The approach is something Smith rec ommends for all homeowners — find beau tiful, transitional pieces that you’ll use for 20 to 30 years and sprinkle in a couple of unique elements that are trendier.

This year’s showstoppers? The over sized, statement art pieces that reflect a vintage landscape vibe located through out the home, including the great room and hallway.

“Last year, we did a botany wall in the great room that you saw as soon as you

entered the home through the garage. There were nine pieces on either side of the fireplace,” she says. “This year, we’re including something similar in effect that takes your breath away.”

When it comes to maintaining that holi day impression, Smith says visitors will feel the spirit of the season but shouldn’t antici pate the traditional vibrant greens and reds. Instead, rust, mahogany, evergreen — mut ed versions of the Christmas classics — will reign supreme.

Community Coming Together

Since Smith’s grandfather founded Sheely’s Furniture in 1952, the company has always felt a strong sense of commu nity and dedication to supporting char itable programs that positively impact Northeast Ohio.

“We have been around for 70 years, and we’re such a huge part of the community where we were founded in North Lima,” she says. “We want to be as much a part of the community in the Cleveland market and let

everyone know who we are, what we repre sent and what they can expect from us when they come into one of our showrooms and buy from us. We’re local and family owned and operated. That means something to us.”

And it’s why giving back to the commu nity and participating in events such as the A Home for the Holidays fundraiser are so important to Sheely’s.

“Being able to help present a kid with a wish is priceless,” Smith says. “You don’t get the opportunity to be involved in

something like that too often. We’re hon ored to be a part of it.”

Beyond supporting Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana, A Home for the Holi days also provides funds to HBA’s Charita ble & Education Foundation, which, during the past two years, has focused its efforts on workforce development and bringing new opportunities to high school students in Northeast Ohio who are interested in a career in the building trades.

“Being a part of the homebuilding in dustry, there are a lot of moving parts, and the shortage of workers is a huge problem,” Kandra says. “We are doing our part to get kids involved in the trades and realize there’s another career path where they can be successful.”

Smith echoes that sentiment. She grew up running around her grandfather’s store dusting furniture and washing trucks. Four years ago, she became one of the co-own ers at Sheely’s Furniture.

“These are not summer jobs or jobs that are steppingstones to something else,” she says. “They are careers that people can do for the rest of their lives and have wonder ful, prosperous outcomes from it.”