Indian River Habitat for Humanity homeowners and future homeowners were once again guests of honor at a Moorings Habitat Partnership Committee Sponsor Luncheon at the Moorings Yacht and Country Club.
They and their families were being given a new lease on life thanks to the Moorings Habitat Partnership, which had raised $850,000 through proceeds from the 2025 Moorings Classic Habitat Weekend and the Moorings Community Contribution Tax Credit Program.
The funding will enable Habitat to build seven new homes, make 17 critical home repairs, and provide 20 scholarships to homeowners and their children.
“We’re very thankful for everyone’s generosity and we hope that we can continue to help a number of people help themselves move into new homes from their current situations,” said Mark Parent, MHP committee chair.
“These Moorings homebuyers are a great group of people that are a part of our community, and this partnership. It’s my honor to introduce someone here today representing Habitat homebuyers and the families of Indian River Habitat,” said Jay Needham, Habitat director of development, introducing Raphael Lopez.
“I’m excited to start this next chapter in my life, and I’m looking forward to the security and the comfort that it will bring my daughter,” said Lopez. He added that raising his daughter, while working full-time, taking the required classes and doing the sweat equity has been hectic, it is also highly motivating.
“The Habitat for Humanity program guides many families and changes the lives of people who wouldn’t be able to overcome obstacles because of the housing market and the high cost of living in our community. I want to thank everybody at Habitat and the Moorings Club. This is truly a blessing for me and my family,” said Lopez.
“I’m always humbled and amazed by this group at the Moorings, and how much our partnership with each of you and your generosity has allowed us to grow and to help so many people,” said Trevor Loomis, Habitat CEO.
He said the homeowners in attendance were a wonderful representation of the people we all meet and interact with every day who struggle with housing needs.
“Each of these homebuyers has worked so incredibly hard to get to this place,” said Loomis, referencing the rigorous Habitat homeownership process, commenting that it averages at least two or more years to complete.
“When a Habitat homebuyer moves into their house, I promise you, they have earned it. I have so much respect for that, just like I have so much respect for all of you in this room who have so generously supported us and made this happen, year in and year out. And we are so grateful for all of it.”
Parent said that since 1999, the Moorings has provided Indian River Habitat with more than $14.1 million.
“With the homes that we are sponsoring this year for these seven worthy homebuyer families, we will reach a total of 109 homes built by the Moorings over the years,” said Parent.
Craig Lopes, Moorings CEO, spoke about the CCTCP, which redirects state sales tax to Habitat based on the volunteer hours from club members, employees and supporters who work on Habitat houses and in Habitat’s Restore.
“This past year, Moorings Habitat contribution from those efforts was $110,000 and brought the total since 2004 to $2.8 million. I’m very grateful for the many volunteers that have given their time to Habitat and enabled the club’s contribution,” said Lopes.
“So on behalf of the club management and staff, I’d like to express our appreciation for the opportunity to support the Moorings Club members’ philanthropic efforts and to thank you for the generosity which makes our work, together, for Habitat so impactful.”
Photos by Joshua Kodis
