Florida Crystals’ Habitat for Humanity Build Brings Employees Together to Help Belle Glade Families

Florida Crystals was pleased to help two local Glades families achieve their dream of homeownership, with our recent sponsorship of and participation in a home-building event with Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County.

Twenty-nine employees from departments across our company worked in two three-hour shifts on March 22 to help build privacy fences for two homes. 

“Not only was this event empowering for the homeowners and their families, but I think my coworkers would agree with me, that it was empowering for us as well,” said Beatriz Ruan. “Working together as a team to dig, pour cement and plant fence posts to help build a home for someone else was really special.”

The volunteer opportunity was part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build initiative, which takes place during Women’s History Month and calls on women to roll up their sleeves and volunteer to support the organization’s mission to provide affordable, quality housing. The two houses in Belle Glade that were part of Women Build 2022 are owned by single-mother-led families. While a large number of women volunteered, we also welcomed several men to each volunteer shift.

In addition to our volunteer teams, we also sponsored Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 2022. The two women homeowners also spent time building their homes as part of Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program. 

Julio Carranza was eager to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, saying it reminded him of his time in the military. He signed up for the morning shift, but stayed through the afternoon along with Kelly Autrey. 

“It’s always great to be able to help out a family in need,” Julio said. “This experience with Habitat of Humanity was amazing and I look forward to doing more in the future. Having the future homeowner on site was icing on the cake, as it allowed us to get to know her and her young baby.”