What We Do

Since 2002, the residents of Pelican Landing and The Colony have partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties to build and help fund the construction of 23 Habitat homes for local families in need of affordable homeownership.

As the demand for affordable housing continues to climb in Bonita Springs and throughout Southwest Florida, the efforts made by Pelican Landing and The Colony residents will play a key role in mitigating the home affordability challenges, while providing a lasting hand-up the economic ladder for local families.

The Habitat for Humanity team of Pelican Landing and The Colony operates year-round, although most activity falls during the seasonal months from November through May. Our efforts are managed by a committee of volunteers and fall into two main categories: fundraising and building.

Augie Turturro speaking to the Neighborhood Captains at the Kickoff party

Fundraising

Pelican Landing and The Colony Habitat for Humanity supporters boast a long history of generous giving, having funded and helped build homes for 23 Bonita Springs families since 2002. Those families shared the 2020 experience also – they too “sheltered in place”. For Habitat families, the shelter our neighborhood helped provide became a virtual school, a stable sanctuary, and a healthy refuge. Having their own home made adjusting to the changes we’ve all seen in the world a whole lot simpler.

Last year was another landmark year in Pelican Landing and The Colony’s support for the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties. For the very first time, nearly 600 neighbors donated towards building homes for local families.

The 2022 campaign has begun, and our goal is to raise $300,000! All funds we raise go to build homes, communities, and hope right here in Southwest Florida. Be sure to look for campaign information in your mailbox and keep checking back to this website for updated information.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Pelican Landing and The Colony Residents Make the Difference!

  • There was a 27% increase in giving from Pelican Landing and The Colony Residents and a 19% increase in the number of donors.
  • This year, there was an increase of 10% in the size of the average gift from Pelican Landing and The Colony Residents.
  • There were 5 major donors (over $10,000) in the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

Building

Volunteers are perhaps the best-known and most visible part of what we do. As Habitat Select Build Partners, residents from Pelican Landing and the Colony are out on the jobsite multiple days a week to volunteer alongside future homeowners. They have varying levels of construction expertise and knowledge, but they all share a desire to help hardworking families build their futures. Together, the residents of Pelican Landing and the Colony and future Habitat Homeowners come together to benefit and improve their community.

In 2020-21 season, 10 Pelican Landing and The Colony volunteers contributed 776 hours of labor and are a huge factor in helping to keep Habitat for Humanity’s housing opportunities affordable. They do everything from raising exterior and interior walls to installing windows, doors, drywall and flooring – under the direction of a Construction Site Supervisor. Many volunteers have minimal home building skills when they join the effort, but part of the fun is learning by doing. It is also rewarding for those who like to give of themselves, not just their money.

If you have a desire to help Pelican Landing build a home for a family in need, we would love to have you out on the jobsite! There is no experience necessary, and all tools are provided for you.

To become a Habitat for Humanity Volunteer, CLICK HERE

Please contact your Resident Coordinator, Reid Patterson, for Pelican Landing and The Colony volunteer information at [email protected].

Walls going up on the Pelican Landing sponsored home – November 1, 2019

Meet the Homeowners

The homeowners of the 2021 Pelican Landing and The Colony Residents’ sponsored home were Bekhaled and Fatha. After coming to the United States, Bekhaled and Fatha dreamed of providing their children with a safe and stable home. They were confined to a small part of an old house and paying more than 30% of their income toward rent. To make matters worse, the home had a pest problem and no central AC.

In partnership with Habitat and support from Pelican Landing and The Colony, Bekhaled and Fatha made their dream of homeownership a reality. They are grateful to have a safe, stable and affordable place for their family to call home.

See how families are selected, CLICK HERE

Bekhaled, Fatha, Ziweb and Zakaria at their home dedication!