Friday, 10/05/07
TheTennessean.com
Home raffles raised $3.65 million for children's research hospital

FRANKLIN — Southern Land Company Homebuilding has received the National Builder of the Year Award from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for its contributions to the hospital's Dream Home Program.

The Dream Home program is a national campaign spearheaded by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that targets the building community to raise operational funds for the hospital. Since 2005, Southern Land Company Homebuilding, with the help of its subcontractors and various other corporate sponsors, has raised more than $3.65 million for the internationally recognized hospital dedicated to ridding the world of childhood disease.

"This has been one of the most gratifying awards our team has ever received," said Chris Bove, executive vice president of Southern Land Company Homebuilding, in a statement. "The people we need to thank are numerous. We could not have achieved any of this without the support and donations of the Middle Tennesseans who gave both their time and money to this cause over the past three years."

Southern Land Company Homebuilding broke national fundraising records in 2007 by selling 14,000 raffle tickets. Each ticket cost $100, and ticket purchasers are entered into a drawing to win a new home constructed by the company. To date, all of the Middle Tennessee Dream Homes have been constructed in Westhaven — a traditional neighborhood community off of Highway 96 West in Franklin. The total value of the homes raffled since 2005 is more than $1.75 million.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Southern Land Company Homebuilding have increased next year's ticket goal to 16,000, which would raise $1.6 million for the hospital.

Tickets for a chance to win the 2008 home or more than 20 other prizes will go on sale for $100 each in March.