We had a beautiful morning to celebrate the ceremonial ground-breaking of a "ground breaking" new project: "Net Hope--A Community Collaboration Supporting St.
Charles Cancer Center and Zero Net Energy Homes.” We're so proud of this fantastic project! Below is the press release that went out today explaining the new project and its partners.
Seven Bridge
Signature Homes, ZeroHomes.org, St. Charles Foundation and The Garner Group Real Estate came together to
create this unique collaboration in Bend’s new Hidden Hills neighborhood. The new
project, dubbed “Net Hope--A Community Collaboration Supporting St.
Charles Cancer Center and Zero Net Energy Homes” will start with the
construction and sale of a zero-energy home, which will benefit cancer services
in Central Oregon through St. Charles Foundation.
David Hesla,
owner of Seven Bridge Signature Homes, came up with the concept when his own
neighbor found limited resources during her husband’s fight with cancer. He
said, “I have been involved in charitable endeavors in the past, so I started
talking with others in the industry about my idea to help cancer patients and
their families.” And the “Net Hope” project was born.
Hesla began
working with David Sailors, a licensed broker at The Garner Group, who
introduced him to the founders of ZeroHomes.org, Joe Emerson and Ann Brayfield.
The three-bedroom contemporary style home he is building for this charitable
project will demonstrate how the zero-energy concept can be affordable to the
average buyer.
Zero energy
homes produce more energy than they consume in the summer, creating an energy
credit the owner can use in the winter. “The home produces as much energy as it
uses over the course of a year,” Emerson said. “It will have solar photovoltaic
panels and thick walls filled with insulation. It will be airtight and have
energy-efficient appliances and lighting. It is healthier for the environment,
healthier for its occupants and healthier for the owner’s pocketbook than
standard construction.”
Sailors and The
Garner Group will be marketing the home. “This is an exciting opportunity to
show the community the benefits of a zero energy home and help local people in
need,” Sailors said.
The new home
will be located at 61076 Ruby Peak Lane, and will be completed by mid-summer in
time for the Central Oregon Builders Association Tour of Homes. The builder and
seller will donate proceeds from its sale to St. Charles Foundation for cancer
support services and nurse navigation to help patients and their families who
are dealing with a cancer diagnosis. The partners hope to make this an annual
project.
