Sponsor Spotlight: Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association

Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association former Board President and current Board Treasurer, Bob Glassett, explains the partnership with The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction began with the 2008 Columbus Day Lakes Region Parade of Homes. That year, the Association donated all their ticket sale proceeds to the Auction. For the 40th anniversary of the auction, the Builders Association constructed a set for the event and every year since they’ve put it up and broken it down. But, Glassett explains the really big idea came in 2012 when the Association built a Charity House and sold it at the Lakes Region Parade of Homes and the Association presented a check for $90,123.11 to the Auction! 

Once the Auction started being televised, it needed more than just folding chairs and a microphone. So high school student, Jared Guilmett worked with Misiaszek Turpin Architects to help design the first set to better present the Auction. Jared now serves on the Board of the Auction. Lakes Region Builders Association President Jeremy Doucet explains that collaboration inspired the Homebuilders Association to create a workforce development program at The Huot Technical Center; encouraging young people to explore the building trades through scholarships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities. Now, each year, building construction and plumbing students design and build a "off-site" small homes. Doucet adds, the Lakes Region Builders & Remodelers members and the surrounding community help make this build project possible with in-kind donations, money, industry supervision and instructions, mentoring and encouragement. This year the Huot Center students are building their eighth "Student Built" home!

Doucet believes working together on the Auction has built a strong sense of camaraderie among the members of the Lakes Region Homebuilders Association. Through their charitable work, competitors have become friendly and supportive of one another. Since then, the Homebuilders Association has worked on three Habitat for Humanity houses.

LRBRA not only helps with the Auction set but also donates tools and other items to be auctioned off. Glassett says one year when he bid on an item he was talking with Auction founder, Warren Bailey, and they discovered they had graduated from Braintree High School at the same time. They quickly became friends and Glassett convinced the Homebuilders Board of Directors to make a deeper commitment to “helping the kids”. 

This year’s Lakes Region Parade of Homes runs October 12-13 from 9am-5pm. Tickets may be purchased online or at the first home. All proceeds will support the Huot Center’s Workplace Development Program helping to inspire the next generation of trade professionals. There is no cost to view the “student built” home but visitors can purchase tickets to tour the remaining eight homes on this year’s tour.

The Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association focus on workforce development helped support this extensive project over the course of the school year as part of its commitment to help inspire the next generation of building trade professionals.

The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction thanks the Lakes Region Builders and Remodelers Association for their long-time support!