On Friday, August 30th, Lennar presented Valerie’s House with a $50,000 donation, continuing their incredible support for grieving families in Southwest Florida. Lennar has been a major partner in making our Family is Forever Fort Myers Home a reality, and their contribution is helping us expand our programs and services.

Angela Melvin, Founder and CEO of Valerie’s House, shared heartfelt gratitude, highlighting that several Lennar employees have personally benefited from the services at Valerie’s House. “This home belongs to the families and the community,” Angela said. “Because of Lennar’s generosity, it will be here forever.”

Before Lennar’s involvement, Valerie’s House was operating out of a historic home that barely survived Hurricane Ian. Lennar stepped in at the right time to help build the new Family is Forever Home. Angela emphasized how their support ensures families have a place to heal together.

Darin McMurray, Lennar’s Regional VP, reflected on the collaboration: “We had great partners who worked with us, including the City of Fort Myers, which donated the land. This partnership is about more than just business—it’s about giving back to the community.”

This $50,000 donation, along with future support promised by Lennar, will help sustain the free services Valerie’s House offers to grieving children and families. As Angela Melvin explained, “This keeps us going. It supports our curriculum, supplies, and the work of our clinical and program teams.”

Darin, who lost his father at a young age, added, “I was lucky to have support, but many kids today don’t. Valerie’s House is special because it provides that support here in Southwest Florida.”

Lennar’s commitment goes beyond financial contributions. Steve Gabor from Lennar expressed how deeply the mission of Valerie’s House has resonated with their team, reinforcing their dedication to making a real difference in the community.

As Darin McMurray summed up, “It’s not just about the bottom line—it’s about doing the right thing, and Valerie’s House makes that easy for us.”

Valerie’s House continues to thrive, thanks to supporters like Lennar, ensuring no child grieves alone.