The Northeast Florida Builders Association’s annual gala will be a bit out of the ordinary this year.
Called the 2003 Mobster’s Ball, it will benefit Builders Care. It’s Friday, Nov. 7, from 6:30 -11 p.m. at the Morocco Shrine Auditorium.
“This year’s event will be a little different and lots of fun. We have plenty of sponsorship opportunities you can’t refuse ranging from ‘The Godfather’ to ‘Friends of the Family’ packages. And, as always, will be have a ‘silencer,’ I mean silent auction,” said NEFBA Gala Chairman Jim DelVecchio, “Dress in your best ‘gangster formal’.”
This year’s grand prize is an Italian vacation package. Tickets are $100 per person, $1,000 for a table of 10.
Music will be the big band sounds of the “Les DeMerle Orchestra.” Italian cuisine will be catered by Anthony’s.
The charity, Builders Care, is a program of the association. It was organized in 2001 by NEFBA in response to the growing needs of Jacksonville’s elderly, disabled and disadvantaged citizens who need emergency repairs to their houses, but can’t afford them.
The program has repaired over 300 severely damaged homes since started and is expanding into Clay and Nassau counties.
The Duval County Housing Finance Authority funds Builders Care. Statistics show there are between 45,000 to 60,000 substandard dwellings in Jacksonville alone.
“Our ultimate goal is to substantially reduce substandard housing in Northeast Florida,” said Builders Care Chairman Ken Kuester.
Builders Care specializes in making homes handicapped accessible, repairing roofs, siding, leaks; painting, general repairs and installing heating and air conditioning.
“Builders Care is a catalyst for industry to give back to the community through the Northeast Florida Builders Association,” DelVecchio said.