Paul Axtell, president of Classic American, A Lennar Company, received the prestigious 2005 Dick Baker Memorial Award at the Laurel Awards on for his company’s involvement with The Donna Hicken Foundation.
The Laurel Awards are held annually by the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA). The late Dick Baker, 1993 NEFBA president, exemplified civic duty with his constant commitment to organizations and volunteer projects in Jacksonville. This award recognizes individual members for their commitment to the home building industry and the community.
Axtell embodies the selfless, humble, giving spirit of the Dick Baker Memorial Award. Classic American received special recognition throughout 2004 for the “Give Hope A Home” Project - a home construction fundraiser that benefited The Donna Hicken Foundation and women with breast cancer.
A resident of Jacksonville for more than 20 years, Axtell has been involved in numerous local non-profit organizations, including HabiJax, the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, Builders Care, and his church. He serves as a board member of the Northeast Florida Builders Association, which named him its Member of the Month in February 2004 for his involvement with The Donna Hicken Foundation.
Axtell had lost a long-time friend to breast cancer in 2003, and he wanted to memorialize her memory and help other breast cancer patients. A few months afterwards, Axtell was approached by friend and Foundation board member Cynthia Montello with the idea of building a house on behalf of the Foundation. Proud to be recognized as “Your Hometown Builder” that supports grassroots efforts to improve the lives of disadvantaged Jacksonvillians, Classic American eagerly agreed to do it.
Being a leader within the homebuilding industry is nothing new to Classic American Homes, and the concern for women with breast cancer reflects the same level of commitment the company shows its homebuyers and employees. It is that level of commitment that has allowed them to provide such a charitable gift to The Donna Hicken Foundation.
That trust made it extremely easy for Angela Myers, the homebuilder’s Director of Customer Care, and Axtell to approach the company’s subcontractors during the fall 2003 for donations of time, labor, and materials to make the home a reality. By receiving so many donations, Classic American has been able to significantly lower the construction costs of the home to provide the largest donation to the Foundation possible.
The sale of the home generated more than $60,000 to The Donna Hicken Foundation, which is using the funds to help low-income, uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients and their families with basic needs. Axtell’s assistance also raised the profile of The Foundation enough that it could begin receiving a steady revenue stream through fundraising and corporate donations.
The City of Jacksonville recognized Classic American and The Donna Hicken Foundation’s significant contribution made to the community by proclaiming May 19th, 2004 as Donna Hicken and Classic American Appreciation Day. This was the first time that a locally owned and operated builder has received one of the highest honors that the municipality could bestow for a project of this type. Mayor John Peyton urged all citizens to join him “in commending this initiative between a local non-profit and a hometown builder for their outstanding work and important contributions to our community.”
For more information about Classic American, please call Director of Operations/Sales Manager Doug Warren at (904) 739-6007 or visit www.lennar.com/classicamerican.