RGV NEW HOMES GUIDE
Contents
COMPANY / VENDORS: Materials El Valle 3-G Propane Matt’s Building Materials 4-M Sunscreens McAllen Realty A Garden Center & Caltia Constr. McAllen Valley Roofing AFM Filters McCoy’s Air Solutions Mercedes Benz of San Juan (Title Sponsor) All Valley Pools Mira Mira Allstate Mosquito Joe Alpha & Omega Siding Mr. Electric Amador Ramirez My Pillow Inc. Amazing Siding My Pillow Inc. Ambit Energy Nadias Creations Amsoil New Homes Guide Aquamax Ole Décor Art Gallery & Décor Operation Finally Home ASG Origami Owl Custom Jewerly Bank of South Texas Osment’s Appliance Center Backyards Unlimited (Prize Sponsor) Palm View Doors PUBLISHER Better Business Bureau Performance Marketing VIELMAssociates, Ltd. Blue Star Services PM Designer Collection Captain Murphy’s Pool Sharks & Cook Prime Lending 25thCastle ANNUAL RGV HOME SHOW City of Mcallen- Composting Facility Puretap Water Systems EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Clearesults Consulting This is the largest home and garden showRainbow in Play Systems Community 1st National Bank RGV Flamingo Pools Jose Vielma Home Lending RGVaJunk Removal the Valley Cornerstone with hundreds of exhibitors from Cowboy Nut Shoppe RGV Villa Homes wide variety ofFurniture businesses in the home and Craigs Richard’s Fence & Backyards Unlimited SENIOR EDITOR Culligan Rio Grande Valley Builders Association Barbara Zapffe A one-time carpenter’s garden industries. Find food, fun, and lotsRock of Commercial & Residential Cutco assistant and the son of a civil engineer, Cytech Royal Prestige show specials and door Jim Parks is the host of HGTV’s homeD.S. Distributor LLC prizes for the family. Sales R Us Inc. improvement show, “New Spaces.” The deShopping (Media Sponsor) SAS Shoes ADVERTISING MANAGER Designer Palms Scent-Sations show spotlights homes that begin as eyeso Jose R. Vielma -- and end up as eye-popping examples of Divine Custom Scentsy SAVING YOUHomes MONEY Doterra Essential Oils Security First Credit Union Ken Sabe what a good remodel can do to improve th Douglas Serendipity of the Valley Find out how to Remodeling save money on utilities with lives of the people who live in them. In th Dr. John’s Lawn Rx Show-Me Products nearly seven-year run of this remodeling Effect Program and energy Sierra Title Of Hidago Co the Built toEco Save™ show, Jim has documented the dramatic CREATIVE DIRECTOR Eden Pools (Grand Prize Sponsor) South Texas Pools efficient builders. Euroshine State Farm Erika Sanchez transformations of old, outdated rooms int fabulous, efficient, and up-to-the-minute n Farmers Insurance - J. Benitez Stevenson’s Appliances Flickers & Flutters Stressfree CAT Scooters living spaces. Foot Pharmacy Tenzo DE LA GARZA HOME DEDICATION Frontera Roofing Texas Building Group GRAPHICS / PHOTOGRAPHY “I’ve seen what homeowners go through Gary’s Pools Texas Farm Credit Services Laura Soria An American hero, Corps Sgt. Jacob De La their personal space is first disrupted and t Global Insurance Texas Gas Service re-formed into something new,” Parks say Financial with Services Garza wasGold honored a mortgage-freeTexaSweet Citrus Marketing, Inc. “We’ve documented a lot of triumphs (and Green Mountain Energy (Silver Sponsor) Tovar Financial Group or two tragedies), Hamlin Pools Truly Nolen Pest Control INFORMATION one SYSTEMS MGR.but most often we g home from Operation FINALLY HOME-- the to see the creation of space that is warm an Hess Air Tuff Shed Chris Bailey first in theHolden Rio Grande Valley. Security & Storm Shutters Tupperware - Chris Mosley welcoming. We start with the homeowner Home Enhancement Typhoon Shutters dream, add the architect’s project of over $100,000 for the vision, and finis IBC United Speciality Products witnessing the builder’s craftsmanship. family at nobycost. Mr. Wallrath Infinite Protection Systems ADT URBAN ART FEATURED MVEC BTS™ BUILDER Inter National Bank (Bronze Sponsor) URPI Latin American Art recognizedJim thecriss-crosses overwhelming housing the country presenting hi Plus & Tower Garden in the Rio Grande Valley Keyboards Meet VillaJuice Homes, a builder needs of returning wounded soldiers seminar “Remodeling 101” and “HomeOw Kitchen Craft Verizon THE RIOand GRANDE VALLEY NEW an HOMES decided toAREA dedicate hisexciting work to Quiz-O-Rama,” new gamesho Spas VES Insulation Valley thatLeicar is committed to constructing high GUIDE (NHG) is a bimonthly publication of for home & garden show-goers. Lexine Smart Home & Entertainment Villanueva Construction helping LTD. other Since VIELMAssociates, andveterans. is provided to its 2005, Lidiashomes Jewelry using the Built to Save™ Vita Mix performance his ofvision grown to 137 homes readers free charge.has Unless otherwise noted, all Lone Star National Bank Vitro Alum photography, editorial content printed in 27artwork, statesandthat have either been Program which is designed to identify homes Lozcon Construction Wyndham Vacation Resorts in NHG are copyrighted material and may not be Exhibitor list asinof various 2/5/2015 Magic Valley Electric (Gold Sponsor) Zams Star completed or are duplicated or reprinted without express writtenstages of that are more comfortable, better built, and Majeza Jewelry Zarsky Lumber
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History was made on Friday, 23 January 30, 2015, when Corps Sgt. Jacob De La Garza received the first mortgage-free home in the Rio Grande Valley from Operation FINALLY HOME. The NHG andor VIELMAssociates, planning construction.LTD. are home dedication was the finalpermission. not responsible for typographical or production save home owners money on utilities. errors, orFuture for the accuracy of information provided Operation FINALLY HOME stage in a process that started by the advertisers. Opinions expressed by writers projects in the Valleyrepresent will depend and contributors do not necessarily nine monthsNEWS before in April the opinions 27 RGVBA BUILDER INDUSTRY largely donations from the of theon publisher. NHG reserves the to refuse any advertising whichand we deem building community the public. of 2014 when this Operation right RGVBA announces the 2014 winner of the unsuitable for our publication. The organization does not take FINALLY HOME project began. EQUAL HOUSING Builder of the Year (Divine Custom Homes) OPPORTUNITY applications from veterans. Instead, All real estate advertising in this magazine is it relies on medical professionals and the LESTER MILES Associate of the Year subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 Inspired by a generous donation and othersAct that work directly and the Amendments of 1988 which makes with (Valley Land Title Company). from H-E-B Food Stores to Operation
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(956) 971-9700
it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation wounded veterans to identify or discrimination based on race, color, religion, FINALLY HOME, Jose Vielma, potential candidates for a mortgagesex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, publisher of the New Homes Guide, or an intention free home. “There is no doubt, as we to make any such preference, and Garrett Dorsey, ICFI / AEP New limitationsaw or discrimination.” This magazine will not in the De La Garza project where accept any advertising for real estate Homes Program, agreed to co-chair knowinglyover 70 local businesses stepped up which is in violation of the law. Our readers are the project to build the home for a hereby informed to help, that our building community that all dwellings advertised in wounded veteran. “With over 30 years this magazine are available an equal opportunity supports whatonOperation FINALLY basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD in the building industry promoting HOME is doing to honor ourtollheroes free at 1-800-669-9777 or contact HUD’s regional builders and suppliers, I felt we had office inwith mortgage-free homes,”The said Ft. Worth, Texas at (817) 885-5521. numberAlamia, for the hearing impairedV.P. is of the Rio the contacts to make this project a telephoneMarcy Executive 1-800-927-9275. reality,” said Jose Vielma. “Building this Grande Valley Builders Association. home for a wounded American hero The Rio “What we need more Guide of is financial Grande Valley New Homes bimonthly by: the general public, even was a worthy and honorable cause is published support from and a perfect fit for our New Homes if it is just one dollar. Every cent that is VIELMAssociates, LTD. Guide publication and for our building donated will be used to build homes 1601 N. 8th St. • McAllen, Tx 78501 industry community in the Valley. The in our area.” FOR ADVERTISING RATES AND INFORMATION: Operation FINALLY HOME project was(956) 971-9700 • www.rgvnewhomesguide.com a tremendous opportunity to help You can contribute money online by one wounded veteran and, in doing going to www.crowdrise.com/OFHso, honor him and all of the veterans RioGrandeValley. Click on “FUNDRAISE who have sacrificed so much for us, TO THIS FUNDRAISER” and choose the TEAM MEMBER you want to donate and especially those that made the to. If you want to do more, click on ultimate sacrifice with their lives.”
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The non-profit organization, Operation FINALLY HOME, began in Houston, Texas, in 2005 with one remodeling job to help a local Houston family bring their wounded son back from the war in Iraq. Dan Wallrath, founder
“FUNDRAISE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN” and create your own team with your company logo, and ask your employees, friends, and family to donate to your team. If you want to donate building materials or labor, contact Jose Vielma
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COMPANY / VENDORS: 3-G Propane 4-M Sunscreens A Garden Center & Caltia Constr. AFM Filters Air Solutions All Valley Pools Allstate Alpha & Omega Siding Amador Ramirez Amazing Siding Ambit Energy Amsoil Aquamax Art Gallery & Décor ASG Bank of South Texas Backyards Unlimited (Prize Sponsor) Better Business Bureau Blue Star Services Captain Murphy’s Castle & Cook City of Mcallen- Composting Facility Clearesults Consulting Community 1st National Bank Cornerstone Home Lending Cowboy Nut Shoppe Craigs Furniture Culligan Cutco Cytech D.S. Distributor LLC deShopping (Media Sponsor) Designer Palms Divine Custom Homes Doterra Essential Oils Douglas Remodeling Dr. John’s Lawn Rx Eco Effect Eden Pools (Grand Prize Sponsor) Euroshine Farmers Insurance - J. Benitez Flickers & Flutters Foot Pharmacy Frontera Roofing Gary’s Pools Global Insurance Gold Financial Services Green Mountain Energy (Silver Sponsor) Hamlin Pools Hess Air Holden Security & Storm Shutters Home Enhancement IBC Infinite Protection Systems ADT Inter National Bank (Bronze Sponsor) Juice Plus & Tower Garden Kitchen Craft Leicar Spas Lexine Smart Home & Entertainment Lidias Jewelry Lone Star National Bank Lozcon Construction Magic Valley Electric (Gold Sponsor) Majeza Jewelry
Materials El Valle Matt’s Building Materials McAllen Realty McAllen Valley Roofing McCoy’s Mercedes Benz of San Juan (Title Sponsor) Mira Mira Mosquito Joe Mr. Electric My Pillow Inc. My Pillow Inc. Nadias Creations New Homes Guide Ole Décor Operation Finally Home Origami Owl Custom Jewerly Osment’s Appliance Center Palm View Doors Performance Marketing PM Designer Collection Pool Sharks Prime Lending Puretap Water Systems Rainbow Play Systems RGV Flamingo Pools RGV Junk Removal RGV Villa Homes Richard’s Fence & Backyards Unlimited Rio Grande Valley Builders Association A one-time carpenter’s Rock Commercial & Residential assistant and the son of a civil engineer, Royal Prestige Jim Parks is the host of HGTV’s homeSales R Us Inc. improvement show, “New Spaces.” The SAS Shoes Scent-Sations show spotlights homes that begin as eyesores Scentsy -- and end up as eye-popping examples of Security First Credit Union what a good remodel can do to improve the Serendipity of the Valley lives of the people who live in them. In the Show-Me Products nearly seven-year run of this remodeling Sierra Title Of Hidago Co show, Jim has documented the dramatic South Texas Pools transformations of old, outdated rooms into State Farm fabulous, efficient, and up-to-the-minute new Stevenson’s Appliances Stressfree CAT Scooters living spaces. Tenzo Texas Building Group “I’ve seen what homeowners go through as Texas Farm Credit Services their personal space is first disrupted and then Texas Gas Service re-formed into something new,” Parks says. TexaSweet Citrus Marketing, Inc. “We’ve documented a lot of triumphs (and Tovar Financial Group one or two tragedies), but most often we get Truly Nolen Pest Control to see the creation of space that is warm and Tuff Shed Tupperware - Chris Mosley welcoming. We start with the homeowner’s Typhoon Shutters dream, add the architect’s vision, and finish United Speciality Products by witnessing the builder’s craftsmanship.” URBAN ART URPI Latin American Art Jim criss-crosses the country presenting his Valley Keyboards seminar “Remodeling 101” and “HomeOwner Verizon Quiz-O-Rama,” an exciting new gameshow VES Insulation for home & garden show-goers. Villanueva Construction Vita Mix Vitro Alum Wyndham Vacation Resorts Exhibitor list as of 2/5/2015 Zams Star Zarsky Lumber (956) 971-9700
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Visit our blog to view videos of the construction project for the De La Garza home and Dedication Ceremony: www.rgvnewhomesguide.wordpress.com/delagarzahomededication 14
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Inspired by a generous donation from H-E-B Food Stores to Operation FINALLY HOME, Jose Vielma, publisher of the New Homes Guide, and Garrett Dorsey, ICFI / AEP New Homes Program, agreed to co-chair the project to build the home for a wounded veteran. “With over 30 years in the building industry promoting builders and suppliers, I felt we had the contacts to make this project a reality,” said Jose Vielma. “Building this home for a wounded American hero was a worthy and honorable cause and a perfect fit for our New Homes Guide publication and for our building industry community in the Valley. The Operation FINALLY HOME project was a tremendous opportunity to help one wounded veteran and, in doing so, honor him and all of the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us, and especially those that made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.” The non-profit organization, Operation FINALLY HOME, began in Houston, Texas, in 2005 with one remodeling job to help a local Houston family bring their wounded son back from the war in Iraq. Dan Wallrath, founder of Operation FINALLY HOME, was the builder on that first project. He was inspired by the generous donations from the building community that allowed him to do the remodeling
project of over $100,000 for the family at no cost. Mr. Wallrath recognized the overwhelming housing needs of returning wounded soldiers and decided to dedicate his work to helping other veterans. Since 2005, his vision has grown to 137 homes in 27 states that have either been completed or are in various stages of planning or construction. Future Operation FINALLY HOME projects in the Valley will depend largely on donations from the building community and the public. The organization does not take applications from veterans. Instead, it relies on medical professionals and others that work directly with wounded veterans to identify potential candidates for a mortgagefree home. “There is no doubt, as we saw in the De La Garza project where over 70 local businesses stepped up to help, that our building community supports what Operation FINALLY HOME is doing to honor our heroes with mortgage-free homes,” said Marcy Alamia, Executive V.P. of the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association. “What we need more of is financial support from the general public, even if it is just one dollar. Every cent that is donated will be used to build homes in our area.”
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You can contribute money online by going to www.crowdrise.com/OFHRioGrandeValley. Click on “FUNDRAISE TO THIS FUNDRAISER” and choose the TEAM MEMBER you want to donate to. If you want to do more, click on “FUNDRAISE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN” and create your own team with your company logo, and ask your employees, friends, and family to donate to your team.
If you want to donate building materials or labor, contact Jose Vielma at 956-778-3590 (cell) or 956-971-9700 (office). The future of another project in the Valley depends on you. For more information on the De La Garza Project, go to Facebook/Operation Finally Home RGV. You can also visit our blog at www.rgvnewhomesguide.wordpress.com
F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N A N D M O R E P H O T O S A B O U T T H I S E V E N T, V I S I T: F A C E B O O K . C O M / O P E R A T I O N F I N A L LY H O M E R G V
History was made on Friday, January 30, 2015, when Corps Sgt. Jacob De La Garza received the first mortgage-free home in the Rio Grande Valley from Operation FINALLY HOME. The home dedication was the final stage in a process that started nine months before in April of 2014 when this Operation FINALLY HOME project began.
The Rio Grande Valley Building Community Supports
Operation FINALLY HOME
LOPEZ CARPETS provided Ramon Martinez of MARTINEZ FURNITURE in McAllen, Texas, agreed to give Jacob and Priscilla De La Garza very generous discounts on their purchase of furniture and appliances, allowing them to get all that was needed for their new home thanks to a large donation from Fairway Independent Mortgage. (L to R) Antonio Muñoz, Jose Garcia, Beto Saenz, Priscilla and Jacob De La Garza, Ramon Martinez, Jonathan Martinez, Carla Beltran, and Eric Corona.
MAGIC VALLEY ELECTRIC COOP donated
a Rheem Marathon Water Heater to the De La Garza family. This energy-saving water heater has a lifetime tank warranty, which means the family will never have to buy another water heater. Best of all, the Marathon water heater will keep water hotter longer and save Jacob and Priscilla money on their energy bills. (L to R) Jason Lozano (Field Representative); Noel Perez (Marketing Specialist).
Joey Cepeda, owner of
PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING, donated and
installed some of the most advanced high-definition security cameras on the market today. Joey’s generous gift is something Jacob and his family will enjoy and cherish for the peace of mind and sense of security that the equipment will provide.
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Artist Celerino “Cele” Castillo, owner of CHICANO ARTE, created and donated a large painting to Jacob De La Garza for their new home. Cele, himself a Vietnam veteran, painted a collage of military graphics and images surrounding an image of Jacob in his combat gear. The painting records all of the ribbons and medals that Jacob received, important dates, and battalion insignias, all with lines in the background comprised of actual sand to symbolize the foreign battlefields.
the labor for the installation of the ceramic tile. The work for the 1600+ square foot home was completed by the crew shown in this photo. (L-R) Rene Lopez, Zeferino Morales, Uriel Traga, Arcavdio Jimenez, Oscar Guevara Marroquin (kneeling).
H-E-B FOOD STORES
held a Volunteer Day for several of its employees at the De La Garza home a few days before the dedication ceremony to help clean and stage the home’s interior. H-E-B also stocked the pantry, refrigerator, and kitchen with food and household supplies to help welcome the family into their new home.
LEXINE INC , SMART HOMES & ENTERTAINMENT provided
a large 40” flat screen TV for the De La Garza home. The company, which specializes in smart technology and high-definition security cameras, also donated a solar-powered LED light fixture that illuminates the flagpole in the family’s yard. (L to R) Frank Martinez (President); Rigo Leal (Sales Manager) Marco Iniguez (Installations)
Jorge Mendoza, owner of WOOD MASTER CABINETS donated
a portion of his labor to install all the interior doors and the trim in the home. His company also provided the finishing touches to ensure that all the cabinet doors in the home functioned perfectly. Photo: Jorge Mendoza.
Mike Garcia, owner of MIKE’S
CUSTOM WOODWORK, donated his labor for the master bedroom closet. Mike worked directly with Jacob and Priscilla to custom design closets that met their individual needs. The materials for the closet work were all donated by Matt’s Building Materials, Inc. (L-R) Miguel Marin, Mike Garcia.
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Carlos Sanchez, owner of RIO STONE PRODUCTS, a fabricator and installer of natural stone products, teamed up with Tony De La Tejera, owner of TERRA HOMES, a residential and commercial builder and a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, to provide elegant granite countertops for the De La Garza Home. Together, Carlos and Tony donated all the materials and labor for the kitchen and bathrooms’ granite countertops. (L-R) Jorge Ruiz; Carlos Sanchez; Priscilla and Jacob De La Garza; Tony De La Tejera.
MCCOY’S BUILDING SUPPLY is a proud supporter of veterans.
Joe Rodriguez (Commercial Sales Mgr.) stepped up to help build the Sgt. Jacob De La Garza home by donating the hardware for all of the doors in the home, including doorknobs and hinges. McCoy’s also donated a portion of the wooden boards for the home’s fence. (L to R) Joe Rodriguez; Victor Galvan; Jannel Orozco; Melissa Martinez; Jesus Cantu; Margie Gonzalez; Mario Madrigal; Chris Peña.
DIAZ FLOORS & INTERIORS, INC. partnered with DALTILE & STONE to donate all the materials and labor for the handicap-accessible shower for Sgt. Jacob De La Garza. This special gift will ensure his safety and independence in the coming years. (L-R) Jesse Blas (Daltile); Andy Diaz (Diaz Floors).
PALMVIEW DOORS, a long-established custom door manufacturing company in the Valley, donated all of the exterior doors for the De La Garza home. The doors were custom handcrafted from rich mahogany wood and feature an Old World look with stylish wrought iron accents. (L to R) Artemio Chapa, Palmview Doors owner, with Priscilla and Jacob De La Garza.
GLASSICA owners Alan and Iris Leidner donated 100% of their products and services to the Jacob De La Garza home. They provided all the mirrors for the bathrooms in the home and installed artistic glass doors to a few of the kitchen cabinets, giving the space a chic look. (L-R) Dez Ortiz; Imelda Salinas; Jacob Lopez; Alan and Iris Leidner; Waylon (Lab); Willie (Terrier).
Joseph Holand, owner of
VERTURO INTERESTS, LLC, donated the materials and
labor for the cabinets in the home. The beautiful cabinets were custom designed for the De La Garza family and installed ready for staining and for the granite countertops. Photo: Joseph Holand.
PLEASANT VIEW LANDSCAPING & IRRIGATION,
a contractor for Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc., provided all of the maintenance of keeping the job site clean throughout the construction of the De La Garza home. The company was also responsible for the final landscaping of the home before the home dedication. (L-R) Cresencio Rodriguez, Juan Marmolego, Carlos F. Arevalo, Carlos L. Arevalo , Rene Molina , and Guillermo
PURETAP WATER SYSTEMS donated a unique water
conditioning system called E’Treat that uses “no salt” technology, which will save Jacob and his family money and is also good for the environment. The company’s owner, Skyler Walker, donated and installed the system and also provided the reverse osmosis systems for the home. (L to R) Javier Palacios; Ociel Falcon; Skyler Walker (owner); Jose Benitez.
THE LIGHT HOUSE LIGHTING CENTERS OF THE VALLEY made a 100% donation of all lighting and ceiling fans for the entire
De La Garza home. This generous gift from Charlie Kennedy, Jr., the company’s owner, included a doorbell kit, smoke detectors, and a smoke/CO2 detector for extra protection. The donation also provided for energy efficient bulbs throughout most of the home to help with the ENERGY STAR® certification of the home.(L to R) Fabian Maldonado; Elizabeth Gutierrez; Jaime Reyes; Charles Kennedy, Jr. (owner).
CENTRAL PLUMBING & ELECTRIC SUPPLY CO. contributed to the construction of the De La Garza home by donating all of the kitchen and bathroom fixtures needed. The kitchen faucet is an exceptionally generous gift because it features new touch-technology to turn on and off and is a luxury and convenience that the De La Garza family will truly enjoy. (L to R -Front) Eliberto Gonzales; Dalia Martinez; Nora Garza; Jesse Campos; Jeff Peña; (L to R –Back) Juan Garza; Sylvia Guerrero; Sylvestre Saenz; Ismael Espinosa.
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ZARSKY LUMBER CO., INC. donated all of the energy-
efficient windows in the home. The high-quality windows provide exceptional benefits to the De La Garza family, including protection of furnishings in the home from harmful rays that can cause curtains and furniture to fade over time. The windows will also help keep energy costs down and make for a more comfortable interior. (L to R) Phillip Steffey; Jorge Cordova; Angie Villegas; Jorge Sanchez; Freddy Ramirez; Mike Duffey.
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The Rio Grande Valley Building Community Supports
Operation FINALLY HOME
BERT OGDEN RIO GRANDE VALLEY, a leading car
dealership in the Valley with a long history of giving back to the community, teamed up with The Home Depot, who has been supporting Operation FINALLY HOME since the groundbreaking phase of the De La Garza home. Together, the companies donated a washer and dryer to Jacob and Priscilla De La Garza for their new home. (L to R) Augustine Lozano, Jr. (Bert Ogden); Vanessa Rosa (Home Depot); Janet and Robert Vackar (Bert Ogden).
The WHITE
CAP division of HD SUPPLY, located in Pharr,
Texas, donated 100% of the nails needed for the Jacob De La Garza project. The company, which has become one of the country’s largest industrial distribution companies, provides a variety of products to customers in the construction markets and is an active supporter of community projects. (L to R) Beto Alvarez (Acct. Mgr); Oscar Garza (Manager); Rey Martinez (Inside Sales); Eric Guajardo (Inside Sales); Trini Casas (Asst. Mgr).
Marianne Villarreal of
MARTINEZ FURNITURE
volunteered her time and talents as an interior designer to help stage the home professionally for the home dedication. She also helped with furnishing the home, making sure the furniture fit properly.
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Jorge Cantu, owner of JM CURTAIN DESIGNER & BLINDS, donated all of
the materials and labor to provide window blinds for the De La Garza home. The horizontal wooden blinds were custom designed and manufactured specifically for the windows in the home. Their professional work added a touch of comfort and elegant style to every room. (L to R) Adriana Morales (Sales); Jorge Cantu (Owner).
Mary and Michael Ramirez, owners of CHRIS RYAN HOMES, made one of Jacob De La Garza’s wishes come true. Jacob had wanted to put a flagpole at his new home, and Mary and Michael did that for him. They donated and installed a 15’ flagpole in his front yard that will allow Jacob to proudly fly the American flag and the US Marine Corps flag.
VALLEY LAND TITLE COMPANY was one of the
first companies to get involved with the Jacob De La Garza project. Paul Rodriguez, CEO, agreed to donate the company’s services to help the De La Garza family close on the home. Jacob and Priscilla officially closed on the home just prior to the home dedication. (Left) Patricia Galindo (Escrow Officer) and Paul Rodriguez (CEO); (Right) Jacob and Priscilla De La Garza.
The custom-designed curtains in the De La Garza home were donated by Alejandra Canales, Interior Decorator and Window Fashion Certified Professional Expert, and owner of CANALI HOME COUTURE. She and contractor Jose Ferrer also provided the installation. Jose Ferrer returned to the home to donate his time to help hang the paintings in the home. (L to R) Alejandra Canales and Jose Ferrer.
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THE RGV HOME SHOW
was the very first supporter of Operation FINALLY HOME RGV in the Valley. The company’s donation of a booth to the organization in 2014 helped launch the fundraising and donation drive for the De La Garza project. The RGV Home Show has announced that Operation FINALLY HOME will be its main charity at the 2015 Home Show. (L to R) Nelda Oliva (Sales) and Quincy Barnes (Owner).
Jose A. Gamez, a contractor for ACROSS MEDIA MARKETING, provided his creative video production and photography skills to help document the construction of the De La Garza home and the milestone events of the project. He also helped to paint the floor of the home’s garage to prepare it for the Dedication Ceremony.
MATERIALES EL VALLE, a leading supplier of building materials in the Rio Grande Valley, donated all of the quality ceramic tile used in the floors of the De La Garza home. Owner Rosalio Espinoza let Jacob and Priscilla choose the color of the ceramic tile for their new home. (L to R) Regina De Anda; Servando Ibarra; Priscilla and Sgt. Jacob De La Garza; Mr. and Mrs. Rosalio Espinosa; Domingo Gonzalez; Steven Sol.
THE RGV NEW HOMES GUIDE has donated all of the editorials, advertising, and promotions for Operation FINALLY HOME and the De La Garza project. In addition to its print publications, The New Homes Guide has also donated all of the online publicity to Operation FINALLY Home on its website and blog. (L to R) Jose Vielma (NHG Publisher and Co-Chair of Jacob De La Garza project); Rusty Carroll (Operation FINALLY HOME Executive Director); Priscilla and Jacob De La Garza; Garrett Dorsey (Co-Chair of Jacob De La Garza project); Erika Sanchez (NHG Creative Director / Photographer); Jose Gamez (Videographer); Laura Soria (NHG Graphics Designer / Photographer).
Ruben Cepeda, owner of SIGN DEPOT, donated the large sign
at the job site that showed the logos of the initial project sponsors as well as a rendering of what Jacob’s house would look like. (L to R) Marilyn Velasquez and Michael Peña.
MATT’S BUILDING MATERIALS has supported the
Eddie Garza and Mario Peña, owners of INFINITY CUSTOM HOMES, donated the labor for the wooden fence, giving the De La Garza home privacy and security. All of the wood materials and supplies for the fence were provided by ProBuild and also by McCoy’s at 100% discount. (L to R) Mario Peña; Eddie Garza; Jacob De La Garza; Jaime Garza and Oscar Elizondo (Infinity Custom Homes); Carlos Rodriguez (ProBuild). Not shown: Joe Rodriguez (McCoy’s).
AFFORDABLE HOMES OF SOUTH TEXAS, INC., the lead builder on the De
La Garza project, donated a powerful lawnmower to Jacob to help with the chores of owning a home. AHSTI will also provide a homeownership class for Jacob and Priscilla to help prepare them for the responsibility of owning and maintaining a home. (L to R) Tony Fernandez (AHSTI), Jacob De La Garza, and Fred Munguia, (AHSTI, Director of Construction). Kudos to Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc., for doing an awesome job!
Leslie Schey of 2-10
HOMEBUYERS WARRANTY agreed to donate
protection coverage of crucial systems in the home. The company’s new home warranty provides two levels of coverage: the “2” represents two years’ coverage for major systems, and the “10” represents 10 years’ coverage for all structural defects. This generous donation provides peace of mind for Jacob and Priscilla De La Garza.
Jacob De La Garza project through every stage of construction. They have been there to help when we needed anything, all donated 100%, including all interior doors with hinges and trim. The company also donated all the materials, wood, and hardware for all the closets in the home and supplied all the wood for the playhouse that Caribella Homes built for the De La Garza children. Matt’s also provided an attic access door at no cost. (L to R) Martin Castillo; Jaime Camarena; Adan Murillo; Marco Gonzalez; Ben Smith; Nathan Cain; Sergio Hernandez.
Rafael Munguia, President of
CARIBELLA HOMES,
custom built a beautiful, spacious playhouse for the De La Garza children. The playhouse is of superb “Caribella Homes” construction and features roof shingles and actual windows as in a real house. The gift was presented to Braelynn (5) and her brother Jayden (9) who will paint the home. Matt’s Building Materials donated wood and supplies, and McCoy’s donated the flatbed trailer, forklift, and manpower to transport the house. Photo: Henry De La Rosa (Caribella Homes).
GILBERTO LOPEZ PAINTING, a contractor for
Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc., provided all the painting and staining needed for the De La Garza home. The company made several trips to the home to do touch ups after the furniture was moved in.
THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION has supported the De La Garza project from the very beginning. Many of its members and directors provided generous donations of materials and labor to help build the home. (L to R) Board members Rafael Munguia (Caribella Homes); Eddie Garza (Infinity Custom Homes); Marcy Alamia (RGVBA Executive V.P.); Priscilla and Jacob De La Garza; Sandra Brown (Sorrento Fine Homes); Abraham Quiroga (Magic Valley Electric Coop).
THANK YOU OPERATION FINALLY HOME RGV BUILD TEAM!
Over 70 local businesses stepped up to help build the Jacob De La Garza home with a generous outpouring of materials and labor that were, for the most part, donated 100%. The unconditional support and donations from these companies and the main sponsors of the project were the keys to the success of the De La Garza home. (Sign donated by Paco Vielma, EPP Marketing.)
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BUILDER Industry News
2014 RIO GRANDE VALLEY BUILDERS ASSOCIATION AWARDS
Builder of the Year Award
PRESENTED TO DIVINE CUSTOM HOMES L to R: Mary A. Barrientos, McAllen Branch Manager ; Paul R. Rodriguez, CEO; Zulema Ochoa, Weslaco Branch Manager/VP; Nanette Palomo, Business & Marketing Development
Associate of the Year Award
PRESENTED TO VALLEY LAND TITLE CO. The Lester Miles Associate of the Year Award is presented annually by the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association to honor an outstanding Associate member or company who, during the year, distinguishes itself with support and service to the organization that goes above and beyond. The award was posthumously named after Lester Miles, an Associate member who exemplified extraordinary loyalty, support, and service to the RGVBA. This year’s 2014 awardee was Valley Land Title Company, a long-standing and active member of the RGVBA. Congratulations to Valley Land Title Co.!
At their annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 6, 2014, the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association (RGVBA) presented the 2014 Builder of the Year award to Divine Custom Homes. The award recognizes Olga Martinez Treviño’s company, Divine Custom Homes, for its generous support of the Olga Martinez Treviño, RGVBA activities and functions, and for excellence in their work. Divine Custom Homes Owner Olga is one of few ENERGY STAR® partners across the country who continue to build ENERGY STAR® homes under the strict Version 3 of the Program.
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