Building a Better Tomorrow
MarineMax is making a difference for many within the community.
By Charlene Marie Dodge
When was the last time you were thankful for having a roof over your head? For the many families enrolled in the Habitat for Humanity program, being grateful for a solid place to call home is an understatement. To these families, it means so much more. It’s a renewed chance at life and an opportunity to provide for themselves and their children in a safe and stable environment. And for Karin Jimenez and her 11-year-old son, Josiah, the dream of home ownership has come true through Habitat for Humanity and with the help of MarineMax.
Before entering the program, this working single mother of one encountered many obstacles when it came to housing. From living in a townhome that caused the pair to become ill to sleeping in the living rooms of apartments of different family members during the pandemic and then getting forced to move from a condo since the property went up for sale, Karin faced many challenges. However, due to the program, Karin and Josiah finally have one less major stressor in their lives and can now spend many days together enjoying each other’s company in the comfort of their very own home.
This year Brett McGill, MarineMax CEO, and President, headed over to the Pinellas County neighborhood development with a team of managers from around the country to assist with the build. The experience was positive, uplifting, and a positive way for the team to be involved within the local community to offer their help and support. As Joshua Lavine, General Manager of MarineMax in the St. Petersburg, Florida, location states, “There’s nothing more impactful to a family or delivers a better experience and memories than a house.” Brett was excited to take part, as well as the rest of the management team who spoke in this impactful video.
MarineMax 2023 Build Day w/ Habitat for Humanity Pinellas and West Pasco
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For nearly a decade, MarineMax has taken part and partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco to help a family in need in Pinellas County, FL. Typically, over a 13-week span, and in conjunction with the future homeowners themselves, various MarineMax employees dedicate their time to help build a new home for families such as the Jimenezs. From the beginning stages of pouring concrete to the finishing touches with painting, cleaning, and landscaping, MarineMax is proud to be a part of it all. In addition to a monetary donation MarineMax provided for Habitat for Humanity, the home was officially dedicated to the Jimenez family in a heartwarming ceremony in April.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps low-income families across the nation and in 70 other countries improve standards of living with stable housing by enabling those who qualify for a zero-interest mortgage. With the combined efforts of the organization, volunteers, sponsors, and future homeowners, a new home is built from the ground up, allowing stability and the chance for the homeowners to build generational wealth. For more information about this year’s event or to donate or volunteer, please visit Habitat for Humanity’s website.
In addition to assisting the local community with housing, MarineMax takes the helm within the community in many other ways. From improving the health of children, such as supporting the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, to aiding in a specified cause, such as breast cancer awareness through the American Cancer Society, MarineMax enjoys not only having a positive impact on the water but making a difference in other areas of people’s lives as well.
More charitable events are underway. Some to look forward to around the holidays are the Fill the Boat with Love events. Besides working with many local charities nationwide to fill boats with goodies of all sorts, MarineMax also collects unwrapped toys for children of all ages for Toys for Tots at store locations. MarineMax is proud to contribute to bettering the lives of those within the community. Whether it is putting in an effort by volunteering time or donating blood, funds, or supplies to support a cause, our company team members find great value in helping and giving hope to others in need. Please visit our events page to participate in future MarineMax-sponsored events in your area.
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