Provence Homes Inc. by John Lober:
Building industry unites to save lives.
-As Printed by the Kansas City Star
The Touched By Cancer Foundation is working behind the scenes to repeat the success of last year's first show home.
"The 2004 Building Awareness Celebrity Show Home committee consists of more than 30 dedicated volunteers and a board of directors that is hard at work to make this the most memorable not-for-profit show home in Kansas City's history," said Lori Lober.
The foundation was created by Lober, who was given 18 months to live after being diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer. That was more than three years ago and today she finds herself with no evidence of disease thanks to exploring all possible treatment options, getting to a comprehensive cancer center and the support of family and friends.
Provence Homes Inc. by John Lober, the company operated by Lori Lober's husband, is building the 2004 home in Parkville's The National. The company also built last year's home.
The 2004 Building Awareness Celebrity Show Home is an effort to raise awareness of cancer and promote positive treatment outcomes, much in the same way Lober educated herself after receiving the diagnosis. It was not the first time Lober was touched by cancer. Her brother Lance died of the disease at age 35.
Lober said the committee could not complete its work without the help of dozens of area companies and individuals who have already donated time and materials to get the home off the ground.
"The Touched by Cancer Foundation and its unique mission has touched many Kansas Citians," Lober said. "Businesses throughout our metropolitan area have contacted the foundation and want to help convey its message of hope and survival for anyone touched by cancer. Companies hungry to give back to our community include Rod Anderson, the owner of the Hereford House and Pierponts, plus The Fairmont, just to name a few."
A list of contractors, companies and individuals that have already donated goods or services to the 2004 show house include: The National Golf Club; Aylett-Flowers Survey & Engineering Co.; Owen Lumber Co.; RNC Drywall; Accent Door Co.; Complete Home Concepts; J. Harmans Landscaping; Factory Direct Appliance; McDaniel Furnace and Sheet Metal; John Macken Construction Co.; Kenny's Tile & Floor Covering; Quality Wood Products; Chris Miller Construction Co.; Superior Stone Tile Installation; Builders Stone Tile; Steel Beam Services; Branham Lawn Sprinklers; Absolute Audio & Video; Bank Midwest; Bob Kennaley; Larry Brown Excavating; Pacific Mutual Door; Locks & Pulls; Hampton Plumbing; Design Lighting; B & T Electric; Stiles Insulation; and Kevin Barbor Stucco & Plastering.
The committee is sponsoring a number of events that are open to the public. They will be selling tickets to each event to raise money for the Touched By Cancer foundation.
The Show House itself will be open two weekends: April 2 through 4 and April 9 through 11. Hours will be announced later. Tickets are $15 and will be sold at the door. The home will then be on the Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City's Spring Homes Tour from April 18 through May 2.
Other events include a mother-daughter luncheon March 21, a gospel brunch March 28, a ribbon cutting March 31 that includes an official dedication of the house, a girls' night out April 7, a wellness luncheon April 12 and a couples' wine tasting event hosted by Wines by Jennifer on May 1.
A special event will be held April 5. The cancer patients' luncheon will be free to past and current cancer patients and for cancer patients only.
The foundation has already increased awareness in a very personal way for one individual, Sandra Duncan, who purchased last year's show home.
"Last year's show home had so many different/custom features in it that reflected the tastes and hard work of several talented people, that I knew the house was for me when I first saw it," Duncan said.
"I have to admit that while I was not involved with last year's house in any way, it does feel good just knowing that instead of being simply a financial transaction, my home purchase was something a great deal more than that," Duncan said. "Somewhere in Kansas or Missouri, researchers are hard at work searching for new treatments and a cure for cancer, and their good work is made possible in part by the donation of the proceeds of the Touched by Cancer Foundation Show Home."
Duncan was even inspired enough to volunteer her time to the 2004 show home.
In fact, several individuals have volunteered as committee chairs and interested individuals can contact them to volunteer. Lober said there are many areas where volunteers are still needed.
Lori Ahern is the designers chair. She is responsible for coordinating the room designers of the show house. Designers currently on board include Redmonds, LaDeDa, J'Adore, Hampton Court Designs, One Stop, Mama & Me Too, Edgevale Antiques, Current Cottage and Pink Shack. Additional room designers can call (816) 564-5645 to participate.
Lori Maguire is special events chair. She will be coordinating the gospel brunch, the Mother/Daughter Fashion Show featuring children's fashions from Mady & Me and a couples' wine tasting and cooking demonstration. Call (816) 584-8115 for information or to participate.
Jody Beynon is the Wellness Luncheon chair. Events she will be coordinating include the cancer patients' luncheon catered by Great Plains Catering Co., and the Wellness Luncheon, which will include a lunch, fashion show and fun tips for women. Call (913) 220-9997 for information or to participate.
Duncan is the Show Home Book chair. She is designing the book, which will be dedicated to the current show home as well as all of the Touched by Cancer events for the year. The committee is still looking for a printer or publisher that would like to work with them on the book. E-mail Duncan at SRD444@msn.com for information.
Linda Lober-Hinds is the open house chair She will be coordinating volunteers to help during the public open house times. Those interested in volunteering may call her at (816) 674-5517.
Barb Sadler is the social chair. She will coordinate the ribbon-cutting ceremony, official dedication of the house, the girls' night out where women may purchase items from food to jewelry. Contact Sadler at barb@youreinvited-kc.com for information or to participate.
The celebrity chair is Patty Wolfe. Each room will have a celebrity influence and a tray will be created by the room designer. These trays will be auctioned later. Interested celebrities should contact Wolfe at Pattyw@thenationalgolfclub.com .
The Show House committee is still looking for contractors that come after the drywall stage including those available for installation of wrought iron, carpet, paint, the hot tub and pool.
"For 2005 and beyond we will be looking for other interested builders in the Kansas City area to build the show home," Lober said. "Once our template is built and we are rolling smoothly in Kansas City the Touched By Cancer Foundation will take the Building Awareness show home nationally."
<Back
