Bowen Family Homes Raises Money for Relay for Life

Bowen Family Homes has shown its support for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life by raising over $3,500 for their team. To motivate the entire company to donate to the Bowen team, six of Bowen’s volunteers, including owner Tip Cape, had jars on display in the office, in which employees would add money. At the end of the fundraiser, whichever volunteer’s jar had the most money in it got a cream pie in the face.

This year the six volunteers on the chopping block were Randall Moore, Steve Palmer, Josh Bowie, Jeremy Patterson, Chris Hill and Tim Cape. However, at the last minute, Reiner Reitig sacrificed himself for Steve Palmer and took his place in the competition. When it came time to analyze the results, the company added funds to the jars with less, making the in-office rivalry a six-way tie and all six got a pie in the face.

In addition to the Pie in the Face Fundraiser, Bowen Family Homes collected money for their Relay for Life team by offering employees the opportunity to wear jeans to work everyday for an entire week for a $5 flat fee.

Through the combined efforts of the casual work week and the Pie in the Face Fundraiser, Bowen was able to raise $1,800 for their Relay for Life team. The team also received over $1,700 in additional donations, bringing the total to more than $3,500. The Gwinnett Relay for Life event was held May 9 to 10, 2008.

The Bowen Family Homes Relay Team consisted of 13 Bowen Family Homes employees and family members, Casey Bruce, Marie DeLeon, Lauren Evans, Stephanie Jodecke, Bonnie Marshall, Marie McIlrath, Jamie Muffuletto, Jeremy Patterson, Misty Patterson, Angie Shipley, Krysten Shipley, Randy Wade and Tamra Wade, each of whom committed to raising monies for Relay.

They not only raised money--Bowen Family Homes employees gave out decks of cards to Relay For Life participants to pass time at their campsites as they waited for the runners. In addition to the cards, as the race came to an end, they also gave out matches to help light the luminaries lining the track.

For many people who attend Relay For Life, one of the most moving parts of the event is the Ceremony of Hope. As the light dims over campsites and team members complete laps, the night is brightened by the glow of lighted bags called luminaria, each of which has a special meaning. Some luminaria celebrate the survivorship of people who have battled cancer and lived to tell the tale. Many commemorate the lives of those who have been lost to this disease. All represent a person who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to be touched by that experience.

Since 1969 the Bowen name has stood for excellence in new home construction and community development. Recognized as the 25th largest privately owned builder in the country by Builder Magazine for 2005, Bowen Family Homes is a dynamic homebuilder with operations in Georgia, Florida and Texas. The Atlanta Business Chronicle ranked Bowen Family Homes 6th among metro Atlanta builders in 2006 and 30th among Atlanta’s Top 100 Private Companies for 2006. Additionally, Bowen Family Homes was named the Georgia Family Business of the Year for medium sized companies by Georgia Trend and the Cox Family Enterprise Center at Kennesaw State University in 2006. Bowen Family Homes was ranked 83rd on the 2007 Professional Builder Giant 400 largest homebuilders in the United States list. These successes have been achieved by simply offering the best new home value in all price ranges. For more information about Bowen Family Homes, please call their Atlanta region headquarters at 678-325-4554 or 1-877- MY BOWEN or visit online at www.bowenfamilyhomes.com.