While raising more than $75,000 to turn dreams of homeownership into reality, Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities also honored one of its own for her longtime leadership of the Davenport-based nonprofit.
More than 300 Quad Citians gathered Friday night, Oct. 17, at Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Resort in Rock Island for the annual Build A Dream Fundraiser. In addition to showing their support through a live and silent auction, the crowd celebrated one of Habitat’s newest families, Afi Chaold and her young son, as well as former Habitat CEO Kristi Crafton, who led the organization for 19 years before retiring in 2022.
Ms. Crafton, who was unable to attend the event, received the Dr. Walter E. Neiswanger Lifetime Achievement Award for her devotion to Habitat Quad Cities. It marked the first time in four years the award was presented since 2021 when it was awarded to Scott and Amy Sisul.
Her successor Tom Fisher-King told the crowd that the award was not just for the accomplishments of Ms. Crafton and Habitat “but for her integrity, humility and heart with which it’s been done.” In her absence, the Habitat staff created a lifesize photo cutout of Ms. Crafton to be part of the award presentation.
“Today, we celebrate not just a career, but a legacy,” Mr. Fisher-King said to the legions of supporters, volunteers and staff, many of whom worked alongside Ms. Crafton during her tenure.
“Whether it was through leading change, (leading) the one and only capital campaign, teaching new families how to cook and bake, as well as baking countless numbers of cookies, muffins and breads for our volunteers, she has left a lasting mark that will be felt long after this acknowledgement of her career,” he said.
The award is named for Dr. Neiswanger, whose philanthropic endeavors included Habitat, and recognizes someone who has dedicated themselves to Habitat’s mission.
Habitat’s QC impact
The Build a Dream event and its various auctions raised more than $76,500 for Habitat.
Thanking the guests, Mr. Fisher-King said their presence “means you care. It means you believe, like we do, that everyone, no matter their background, or circumstance, deserves a safe place to sleep, to dream, and to belong. Because at the heart of it, this work isn’t just about building houses. It’s about building hope and community.”
The annual celebration also was an opportunity to update donors and volunteers on the organization’s impact over the past year. Here’s some of the statistics he shared:
- Last year, Habitat QC homeowners paid more than $200,000 in property taxes across the Quad Cities.
- Habitat QC volunteers and families completed 249 repairs to date, including the year’s 21st ramp with one more to go. To date, it has built 122 ramps for homeowners with accessibility issues since the program began.
- As of the fundraiser, Habitat QC had dedicated a total of 143 homes during its 32-year history – with two more to be completed before year end.
In fact, Ms. Chaold, homeowner #132, and her son Raf, who received their house during a Christmas-time dedication in 2023, were part of the program. Ms. Chaold, who immigrated from the Togolese Republic in West Africa, described her journey to America and to homeownership. Photographs of their house build and house #132 were displayed on the screen behind her.
The live auction was led by Jana Stanzel, of Stenzel Auction Service Inc., whose quick talking prompted the crowd to dig deeper as she auctioned off dozens of gift baskets, grand prizes and then the Fund-A-Cause. Participants donated for a number of causes connected to a Habitat build including purchasing pallets of siding, windows, flooring, insulation and nails.
The evening’s musical entertainment was provided by The Jason & John Experience.
The fundraiser was supported by nearly two dozen corporate and individual sponsors including these lead sponsors: Gold Hammer sponsors, Health Care Service Corporation and Rian Waterman; Silver Hammer sponsors, American Bank & Trust and IMEG; Bronze Hammer Sponsors, Tyson Foods, SSAB and Ascentra Credit Union.
Founder final gift
Mr. Fisher-King also announced a surprise donation created in memory of one of Habitat QC’s four founding members, Wes Whiteside, who died in September. The local affiliate became a reality thanks to the efforts of Mr. Whiteside and co-founders Dean Ring, Richard Miller and Don Heisterman. The four, he added, put in the work and brought in the volunteers necessary to follow the Habitat for Humanity model.
To honor Wes and Marilyn Whiteside, their family has a greed to fully fund one Habitat build in 2026, which Mr. Fisher-King said is a first for Habitat QC.
“Your support tonight means more than dollars raised,” he told the crowd of donors. “It means hope built, futures secured, and lives changed. Our budget is not just about dollars, it’s about families.”
For more information, visit habitatqc.org.
