CLEARWATER – Several employees from Tampa Bay-area Hooters locations and the corporate office attended Habitat’s townhome dedication block party on June 22 in Clearwater.
The Original Hooters sponsored townhomes for the Sanchez and Xhokli families, making this their 11th home build with Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside.
This year’s project marks the first townhomes they sponsored.
Representatives from Original Hooters presented this year’s donation of $151,500 to Habitat at The Original Hooters in Clearwater. HMC Hospitality Group’s Regional Training Coordinator Chelsea Vazquez presented the keys to the two homeowners.
“We are thankful to help the Sanchez Family and Xhokli Family make owning a home affordable and achievable,” said Denise Williams, chief marketing officer of HMC Hospitality Group. “We are honored to be a part of the community celebration when the families receive keys to their new townhomes.”
Over the past few months, the team at Hooters assisted with framing, window and door installation, floors, stove installation and painting. Employees from the Tampa Bay-area Hooters locations and the corporate office volunteered for a total of 252 hours between the two townhomes.
“A Habitat home will give me the stability and security I need to finally build the future I have been working toward,” said homeowner Ganimete Xhokli.
Homeowners Byron and Angelina Sanchez envision their 1-year-old daughter growing up in the new home.
Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, said his organization is grateful for the partnership with Hooters and HMC Hospitality Group.
“Their long-standing support, generosity and hands-on volunteerism make a lasting impact for local families, helping turn the dream of homeownership into a reality,” Sutton said.
Since 2016, HMC Hospitality Group has presented Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside a total of $1,034,100 and donated more than 2,970 hours of their time to build homes.
