The Tampa Bay Rays not only provided the funding for a Habitat for Humanity home in South St. Petersburg; Rays staff also took ownership of the build by contributing more than 1,000 volunteer hours on the construction site. On Thursday, February 11, with team mascot Raymond at his side, Rays Manager Kevin Cash will present Lakeba Wallace and her daughter the key to their new home. Rays President Brian Auld and President of Baseball Operations Matt Silverman will also participate in the dedication and key presentation at 4650 6th Avenue South at 4 p.m.
The volunteer effort took place over a five-week period and involved 180 Rays staff members including Auld and Silverman, who worked shifts raising roof trusses and finishing interior walls, respectively. For Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, the Rays-sponsored home marks the first time in the nonprofit's 30-year history that a corporate funding partner has also provided more than 90 percent of the manpower hours required to build its homes.
"Our mission is to energize our community through the magic of Rays baseball, and this project has been a remarkable testament to that," Auld said. "I'm proud of the efforts of our staff members who worked alongside Lakeba and her family. We cannot be any more excited to hand over the keys."
Land for the home was donated to Habitat Pinellas by Bank of America as part of a national partnership with Habitat for Humanity International through which up to 2,000 vacant properties are donated by Bank of America. The local Bank of America property donation and Habitat Pinellas program provided an opportunity for homeownership that Wallace could afford with her modest income.
St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Dr. Kanika Tomalin will welcome the Wallace family to their new home, and Vito Sheeley, outreach director for U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, will present a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol. Bank of America Tampa Bay Market President, Bill Goede, will also participate in the ceremony.