Clearwater, FL – On Friday, August 2nd, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties introduced the House That Beer Built homeowner partner family at a fundraiser hosted by Big Storm Brewing Co.
The House That Beer Built, a specialty build of the local Habitat affiliate, launched in 2018. Over the past year, Habitat has engaged local craft breweries to join forces in helping to raise $50,000 to build a home in partnership with a family in need.
Nearly 20 local brewery partners including Big Storm Brewing Co. have participated by supporting Habitat’s Craft Beer Festival, hosting fundraisers and partnering on brewery scavenger hunts in St. Pete and Dunedin. The brewers also collaborated on a beer, called “A House That Beer Built.” Sales of the Belgian Wit have benefited the project, with a check being presented by Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni at the fundraiser.
Alfredo Anthony, Board Chairman of Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco accepted the check alongside Kristin Beaton, the homeowner partner and her children. The check amount, which reads $1,814, was generously increased to a $5,000 donation by Big Storm to further support the initiative. (photo attached)
“There is no better feeling than being able to help the community we love so much. Giving a family a place to call home is something we can all celebrate. It wouldn’t have been possible without the teamwork of so many craft brewers and the support of our patrons,” Big Storm co-owner L.J. Govoni said.
Through the Habitat homeownership program, candidates must demonstrate need for adequate shelter, ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat to invest 350 to 450 sweat equity hours.
Kristin Beaton and her three sons are very family oriented and involved in the community. Kristin’s first sweat equity experience as a homeowner candidate was at the House That Beer Built Craft Beer Festival, so she’s ecstatic to become the homeowner partner on this specialty build.
Kristin, a Medical Office Rep, also serves on the board of the little league football team, the Azalea Bulldogs as an event coordinator. All three of her children enjoy playing football and basketball, and are very active. “With a Habitat home, I imagine my life will become more secure now that I will be able to give my family a fresh start with a home that I can afford. I can spend more quality time with my kids and their school and sports activities.”
The family has been in their current home for over five years, and started to notice mold about a year ago. Mold has spread through the cabinets in the kitchen. “I have to put my food, pans, and dishes in the garage now.” With her new Habitat home, Kristin is most looking forward to “freedom, security, and stability.”
Local brewery partners and the community will soon have the opportunity to work alongside Kristin to build her home here in Pinellas County. Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco continues to engage the community and local brewery partners to meet the $50,000 fundraising goal. For more information on the House That Beer Built, please visithttps://habitatpinellas.org/specialty-builds/the-house-that-beer-built/.
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County and West Pasco Counties
In March 2019, the West Pasco and Pinellas County affiliates merged to form Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties. In total, the affiliate has constructed 581 homes for struggling families in Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, using locally raised funds. Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. Candidates must also demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat to invest 350 to 450 sweat equity hours. Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that home ownership contributes to family stability, leading, in turn, to community stability. Additionally, the affiliate raises funds through their two ReStores, home improvement outlets where donated household and building items are sold to the public. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties, call (727) 536-4755 or visit www.habitatpwp.org.
Big Storm Brewing Co.
Big Storm is one of the fastest growing independent craft breweries in Florida. Founded in 2012 by Mike Bishop, Big Storm currently has three taprooms in the Sunshine State; Clearwater, Odessa and Cape Coral.
Led by Head Brewer, Joel Moore, Big Storm’s innovative craft beers have received critical acclaim for the past seven consecutive years, winning 2016’s Best Florida Beer Championship with its Oktoberfest Märzen Lager.
Big Storm is an official partner of both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The brewery also recently unveiled a collaboration with William Dean Chocolates, the company that made the chocolates featured in the Hunger Games movies, to produce a chocolate toffee stout beer called Cocoa Convergence.
Today, Big Storm is a true pioneer using locally sourced ingredients like citrus and wildflower honey, brewing more than 50 different beers, including their popular Arcus IPA, Wavemaker Amber Ale, Tropic Pressure Florida Ale, Palm Bender Gulf Coast IPA and Oats in Hose Oatmeal Stout.
For more information, visit: www.bigstormbrewery.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram@BigStormBrewing.