The David Weekley Disaster Relief Fund Committee raised over $300,000 for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Unbelievable numbers of appreciation letters have filled our mailbox thanking David Weekley, the Committee, and all of you, the Team Members, for your generous support. Among those who've thanked us include: The Diocese of Galveston-Houston, Katy Christian Ministries, Communities In Schools Houston, Inc., St. Thomas More Parish School, St. Ambrose School, St. Francis of Assisi School, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Corpus Christi Catholic School, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Memorial Park, St. Francis de Sales School, Holy Ghost School Catholic Diocese Galveston-Houston, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, and many personal letters from people thanking everyone.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Tampa Bay Chapter has another triumphant year for the third year in a row for Light the Night! The Chapter raised $150,000 this year, with nearly 3,000 participants demonstrating their support for the organization. Weekley Sales Consultants Henry Moeller and Diana Shafer set up a tent, and handed out bottled water to the walkers. Participants carried illuminated balloons with red balloons for cancer survivors and white for supporters. Light the Night was also successful in Orlando. Our Orlando Team took to the streets to increase awareness of blood cancers and to raise funds for cures. Our walkers also carried illuminated balloons to celebrate and commemorate lives touched by cancer.

To “Do Something Great” for others can mean a sacrifice on your schedule and time. And sometimes it can mean a taxing effort on your body and mind. Just ask the 105 David Weekley participants, who endured the 26th annual BP MS150 ride that raises money to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. This grueling fundraiser challenges the 13,000 participants to a two-day bike ride starting from Houston and ending at the Texas State Capitol in Austin—a total trek of 180-miles!

Wearing yellow and blue jerseys, all 105 Weekley riders, who varied from Division President to Sales Consultant, began the ride on Saturday, April 16th at 7:00 am with a prayer from a local chaplain and an enthusiastic speech from David Weekley. As day one of the first 100 miles dragged on and the fatigue of sore muscles, famished stomachs and self-doubt began to set in, plenty of riders found it difficult to keep pedaling.

But just as soon as a rider thought it was impossible to go on, he/she would pass a supporter holding a sign that read “Thank you for riding for my son” or “You ride, because we can't...Thank you!” A reminder of how this debilitating disease can leave its sufferers blind, paralyzed or incapable of walking without assistance.

Recharged with a purpose, riders would instantly gain momentum and remember why they began the mission in the first place. And on the second day, as riders began to trickle across the finished line, the trip for the Weekley riders ended as it had began, a thankful prayer for no injuries to our dedicated participants and a hope that the money raised will help aid the 400,000 Americans living with this chronic disease.

The Ft. Myers Division joined hands with Lifeline Family Services in Cape Coral to hold a fundraiser and Christmas donation event for moms-to-be. The Lifeline Family Services Group provides shelter, counseling and assistance to single expectant mothers. The soon to be moms were overwhelmed with joy when they received gifts and monetary donations for themselves and their soon to be bundles of joy.

Houston Team Members laced up their sneakers, and participated in the UNCF 5K walk to help raise money for the foundation. It was the first year we participated as a company and 36 Team Members and guests came to walk. We also won 3 rd place in the t-shirt competition. In total, from HST and the Houston Division our company raised $3,300 for the foundation!

Orlando Team Members thoughtfully donated sweaters, sweatshirts, and jackets to children in need at Harbor House, the Orange County Center Against Domestic Violence. The Center rarely gets new clothing, and so this was a nice surprise just in time for the cooler weather. Our donation was four times the combined donation the Center received during the last winter season.

The Summit at Westlake Hills received a pleasant surprise from the Austin Team during the Holidays. Flowers adorned almost the entire nursing home facility – the entrance, lobby area, living room and even elevator entrances - all thanks to the Austin Team's Holiday party. The Team donated its flowers to help add to the Holiday spirit and festivities.

Each year, more than 900 families in Austin seek affordable housing by turning to the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity. This group works overtime to find volunteers, building supplies and time to accommodate the overwhelming housing demand.

The David Weekley Austin Team was challenged to construct a home in seven business days, and worked side-by-side with Habitat for Humanity to create a new home a single woman, who is also a mother of three. More than 145 Team Members put on their hard hats and dedicated numerous hours—from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.—to construct this 1,283 square foot home.

Several Team Members' spouses also pitched in by providing dinner and breakfast to the Team, who would work for hours under the June sun without a break. It was a complete group effort—from a Division President hanging drywall to a Project Coordinator watering newly installed plants—to make this home come together in time. This response led to the Austin Team to exceed the seven-day challenge they had created by completing the home in just FIVE DAYS!

The Denver Team got into the Halloween spirit as a sponsor in the Trick-or-Treat Barn at this year’s Halloween with Horses event in Parker! The Team decorated their space with pictures of our award-winning homes, a small replica of a Weekley home at frame stage, and festive fall décor

In Charlotte our Team put on the coffee and laced up their sneakers to join over 3 million Americans who stayed up all night walking to support the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. This overnight event raises Cancer awareness, honors those who have both survived and passed from this disease, and funds research and education efforts.

Houston Hops to Help!

HST and Houston teamed up with the Brenham State School to make it a Happy Easter for some deserving children. A small group of Team Members made the trip to Brenham to deliver the Easter Baskets and stuffed eggs that were generously donated for the residents of the State School there. A total of 164 baskets and 983 eggs were taken to add to the Spring Fling Celebration.