Builders not only help to build communities but they consider themselves part of the communities they serve. With this in mind, they are committed to making these communities great places to live in ways that go far beyond bricks and mortar.

Builders today are giving back, contributing both to local charitable efforts and national charities, motivated by choices that reflect personal and corporate philosophies. A look at charitable efforts by some area builders suggests the scope of involvement for both companies and individuals.

David Weekley Homes

This national company active on the suburban homebuilding scene has several efforts underway. Contributions have been made to the Walter and Connie Payton Foundation the past three years, and it has participated in the Northern Illinois Food Bank’s “Thanksgiving Giving Back” online food collection effort for the past three years.

The company has also supported the Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Fox Valley with build days where company employees provide expert assistance, working along homeowners who contribute their efforts to building their own homes.

David Weekley Homes also supports the Ronald McDonald House of Central DuPage County, the Showcase of Homes Invitational in 2017; Big Brother, Big Sister of Chicago; and provided a donation through the 2016 Showcase of Homes.

Shodeen Homes

This family-owned company is active in the Fox River Valley and the Lake Geneva region of Wisconsin. The Shodeen Family Foundation was established in 1999 by Kent and Joan Shodeen of Geneva. The foundation was created to help to meet the needs of people living in the areas where the Shodeen family lives and works.

The foundation’s aim responds to local needs as they arise, supporting charitable organizations that provide community-based programs. Charitable resources are used to help organizations with fundraising and raising public awareness of the charities, in order to help them serve public and private programmatic needs.

West Point Builders

West Point Builders supports the work of Aspire of Illinois, a Westchester-based organization that, through comprehensive services, opens new possibilities for children and adults with developmental disabilities in the West suburbs.

In addition, the company supports Almost Home Kids, a transitional residential program that assists children with complicated health needs, as they move from hospital care to home care. Training is provided for parents so they can better assist their children and respite care is also provided.

William Ryan Homes

William Ryan Homes supports Building Homes for Heroes and Building Homes for Troops in various markets. In the Chicago area, William Ryan Homes supports the Living Well Cancer Resource Center and Feed My Starving Children, where food is gathered and packed for distribution to needy families.

Optima Inc.

Optima Inc. is developer of Optima Chicago Center and Optima Signature, two luxury rental buildings in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, as well as other condominium and rental buildings in the Chicago area and Scottsdale, Arizona. The company has been active in support of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago for many years, including the Beads of Courage program for children with cancer.

Optima also supports Habitat for Humanity; The Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing for the families of children with cancer; and Erika’s Lighthouse, “A beacon of hope for adolescent depression.” In Arizona, Optima supports Help in Healing Home Foundation, a Mayo Clinic program that provides housing for organ transplant and cancer patients.

For information on these companies and their new-home communities in the Chicago suburbs, visit davidweekleyhomes.com, optimasignature.com, shodeenhomes.com, westpointbuilders.com and williamryanhomes.com.