Mr. Stud Finder Charity Auction to raise funds for 2013 ‘Women Build’

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

A distinguished group of Martin County gentlemen are contributing to Habitat for Humanity’s female-centered project, Women Build, and it doesn’t involve wearing stilettos or wielding pink construction equipment. 

On Jan. 31, prestigious businessmen and esteemed professionals will donate their time and talent at an auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Martin County's 2013 Women Build Home – the Mr. Stud Finder Charity Auction. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at the Lyric’s Flagler Center, 201 S.W. Flagler Ave., in downtown Stuart, for guests to enjoy cocktails and view the silent auction lineup. The event will begin at 7 p.m. 

"The ladies on our Women Build committee continue to out-do themselves each year,” said Margot Graff, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County. "They’ve orchestrated this one-of-a-kind auction that features unique items donated by some of Martin County’s finest and most charitable gentlemen.” 

There are 12 individuals featured at this third annual event, a prestigious group nominated by their peers and carefully selected to present a valuable auction item or package for bid, valued from $300 to $2,500. Auctioneer Elliot Paul will serve as master of ceremonies, introducing Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s illustrious list of "Stud Finders.” The 2013 lineup includes Piper’s Landing Yacht and Country Club tennis pro, Cullen de Windt; Michael Flaugh, landscape architect; Chef Adam Fatigate of Chef’s Table; Taylor Wilson of The Gafford; stylist Michael Izzolo; photographer Mitch Kloorfain; Charles Watson with Clapping Monkey Productions; John Schmahl of Café Margeaux; Jason Reed with Master Amy Reed’s Black Belt Academy; Bryan Liles and Chris Burrows of BikeStreet USA; Dr. Ed Lippisch of Lippisch and Engebretsen: Oral Surgery and Dental Implants; Winston Owen of the Racquet Club of Tesoro; and Martin County Firefighters, James Ferrara, Ryan Kurish, Ben Bishop and Billy Jones. 

General admission tickets are $25; tickets for VIP seating and 5:30 p.m. cocktail reception are $50. Visit LyricTheatre.com to purchase tickets, stop by the box office, or call (772) 286-7827. 

Special recognition goes to sponsors Elliot Paul & Company; BikeStreet USA; Wilmington Trust; The Stuart News; Charity Fundraising Packages; Cove Gardens of Stuart; and Treasure Coast Balloons and Party Decorating. 

To learn more about the event, sponsorships and advertising opportunities, visit HabitatMartin.org, follow them on Facebook, or call (772) 223-9940. 

About Women Build: The 2013 Habitat for Humanity of Martin County Women Build home will be built for the Jackson family in the new Carter Park community of Indiantown. The family is already contributing to Habitat’s sweat equity requirement of 300 volunteer hours. They will purchase the home with a no-profit loan and their monthly mortgage payments will be used to build more Habitat homes.  

Women Build is a Habitat for Humanity International program that encourages women and girls to have fun and make a difference by building homes and communities. Women crews around the world have built thousands of homes since Women Build’s official creation in 1998. Each year, more homes are added as affiliates, donors and sponsors discover the impact of women volunteers and their resources. 

About Habitat for Humanity of Martin County: Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a not-for-profit organization that works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to help eliminate substandard housing by building homes for others, revitalizing neighborhoods, and transforming lives. Since its inception in 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Martin County has built 100 homes in Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno and Stuart. For more information, call (772) 223-9940.  
Mr. Stud Finder Charity Auction 2013
Martin County firefighter Ryan Kurish; Piper’s Landing Yacht and Country Club tennis pro Cullen de Windt; photographer Mitch Kloorfain; Clapping Monkey Productions’ Charles Watson; Martin County firefighter Billy Jones (all seated); Master Amy Reed’s Black Belt Academy’s Jason Reed and landscape architect Michael Flaugh (standing) are among the gentlemen participating in the Mr. Stud Finder Charity Auction on Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Lyric’s Flagler Center. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s 2013 Women Build.