It takes a lot of dedicated people working together to make an event like a golf tournament run smoothly. SurveySA was there to lend a helping hand as AIA/ASLA, Gordon Hartman Homes and the Greater San Antonio Builders Association drove down the fairway toward the launch of their own fundraising golf tournaments.

The goal was to help whenever needed to make sure each tournament was up to par; whether it was soliciting donors for the Gordon Hartman Charity Golf Tournament and Silent Auction, stuffing goodie bags for the annual Greater San Antonio Builders Association Golf Tournament, or selling mulligans at the AIA/ASLA Scholarship Golf Classic: no task was too small.

Thanks to the time, patience and energy of all involved, it can definitely be said that each golf tournament was a hole in one!

Design and architectural students from local colleges helped to pave the way to a successful 2003 Parade of Homes, sponsored by the Greater San Antonio Builders Association. Since this year's event was at dual sites, extra volunteers were needed to direct visitors in and around Sonoma Ranch and Tapatio Springs. Student volunteers, solicited by SurveySA, greeted the public and collected tickets upon entering the sites.

Students commented that they felt like the experience with San Antonio's industry professionals helped establish a career foundation. "We like to encourage area students to become involved in their professions as soon as possible. They make better employees and business owners in the future," said Keith Jimenez.

Not only were students able to meet builders and other industry professionals while viewing the latest styles in home architecture and decorating, but they were also able to pick up some "real life" helpful tips on gardening and landscaping, ways to conserve energy, custom art and more.

SurveySA staff members also surveyed two of the homes in the Parade.

SurveySA announced that homebuilders responded well to their call for participation in a SAMMinistries fundraiser. Keith Jimenez challenged homebuilders to build and/or design birdhouses in an effort to raise money for the homeless in San Antonio. "We were pleased with the response of the building community," Jimenez said. "Many said they would assign the task to the architecture department. It didn't surprise me that they would respond so positively." Jimenez also solicited an additional $50 donation from any homebuilder who participated. The birdhouses were sold and auctioned to raise funds for their various charitable efforts. SurveySA employees picked up all finished bird "shelters" and personally delivered them to SAMMinistries. Builders who participated included: Boscamp Custom Homes, Gordon Hartman Homes and Wilshire Homes. SurveySA donated its own birdhouse, decorated by one of the company's executives. From detailed gothic church designs for spiritual sparrows to hand-painted garden décor feeders, the entries were varied and impressive.

Any homebuilder who is interested in participating in the 2nd Annual Original Birdhouse Campaign benefiting SAMMinistries, please contact Nikki at 210.877.1446 as soon as possible.