$1.7 million raised at record-breaking Habitat for Humanity Building Hope gala

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, Texas (Habitat MCTX) raised more than $1.7 million at its 13th annual Building Hope Gala, presented by BMW of The Woodlands. This year’s event, themed Casa de Corazón or “House of Heart,” marked Habitat MCTX’s second consecutive record-breaking gala in support of affordable homeownership for local families.

Led by Gala Chair Tina Rivera, Philanthropist, Owner of arc electric + lighting, and Founder of The Jefa Society, and a dedicated committee, the evening reflected both a bold vision and a deep belief in what is possible when a community comes together. This year’s success once again surpassed expectations, demonstrating an extraordinary level of engagement and commitment across Montgomery County, following last year’s record-breaking milestone of more than $1 million raised.

“As I reflect on the incredible evening we shared at the 2026 Building Hope Gala, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude,” said Tina Rivera, 2026 Building Hope Gala Chair. “Thank you for showing up, not just as guests, but as hope builders. My vision for Casa de Corazón was to create something meaningful that celebrated heart, heritage, and the beauty of community. Because of you, this night became so much more than a gala. It became a powerful reminder that when people come together with compassion and purpose, lives can truly be transformed. I pray you are proud of the work we have done and the generosity of your neighbors, to help your neighbors.”

The evening featured an exciting live auction, raffles, bid boards, and silent auction, along with emcee Michelle Little, Vice President of Community Affairs & Corporate Giving at Waste Connections, all contributing to the night’s record-breaking success.

The highlight of the evening came when Nohelia, a Cedar Creek homeowner, shared her story alongside her mother, Candida, offering a powerful reflection on the life-changing impact of affordable homeownership. Through determination and hard work, Nohelia balanced school, work, and sweat equity to earn her nursing degree and begin her career in healthcare. Today, her family’s home represents both stability and possibility, giving her younger brother a safe place to grow up, including something as simple and meaningful as being able to ride his bike in their own neighborhood.

“I randomly get hit with a warm feeling of, ‘Wow, this is really happening. We are home.’ And every morning when I head to work and every night after I come back from work, I look at our house, and I am happy,” said Nohelia. “I am happy because we have a safe place, a beautiful home that we can call ours. It is like having an anchor to hold us in place. The support you give to families like mine is not just changing where people live; it changes what they believe is possible. Please continue to believe in families like mine and give them the gift of hope, dignity, and a bright future. Your support changes lives.”

Proceeds from the event will help offset the construction and development costs of many new homes for local families in Marble Creek, a future Habitat MCTX neighborhood in Magnolia that will one day be home to more than 200 families. Habitat MCTX will complete its Cedar Creek neighborhood this summer as the final four families move into their homes.

The 2026 Gala Honorees were also recognized during the evening for their impact and service. Stephen and Barbara Crain were honored for decades of faithful leadership that have strengthened Habitat MCTX’s mission. The Marble Creek Planning and Diligence Committees were honored for their pivotal role in shaping Marble Creek, with members serving as the driving force since 2021 in bringing this future community to life.

“We are still catching our breath and overflowing with gratitude,” said Vicki Johnson, Executive Director of Habitat MCTX. “Tina has helped expand what we believed was possible. Because of her leadership and the dedication of our incredible gala committee, we will double the impact, and more families will experience the stability and dignity of home. We’re so grateful for their servant hearts, which are opening the door to opportunity for more families in our community.”

The success of the evening was made possible by the generosity of its key sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor: BMW of The Woodlands; Oro (Gold) Sponsors: Larry and Connie Abston, Michael and Allison Wortley, LGI Homes, and Mark and Laurie Lashier; Creador de Esperanza (Hope Maker) Sponsors: Woodforest National Bank and Marijane Smith; Constructor de Sueños (Dream Builder) Sponsors: Dave and Kathleen Stover; and VIP Party Sponsors: David and Laura Piccione.

Waste Connections surprised the room as the first company to step forward as a home builder with a $100,000 gift, funding the cost of a future Marble Creek home. Their unexpected and generous commitment energized the crowd and set the tone for the evening, inspiring others to give and helping drive momentum for the mission.

As the need for affordable housing continues to grow in Montgomery County, Habitat MCTX invites the community to stay engaged, give, and be part of what comes next. Support through donations, volunteering, and partnerships helps build more homes and more hope for local families. Learn more or get involved at habitatmctx.org.