Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital’s relationship with Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside began a few years back when Habitat president and CEO Mike Sutton connected with Orlando Health’s community relations team and their Bayfront Hospital president, John Moore. Orlando Health has always believed in the power of community and giving back by volunteering. This sparked an opportunity to get Orlando Health Bayfront involved on a Habitat Home build in St. Pete. The hospital became the home sponsor for the Allen Family and began volunteering on the home build.
They helped single mom, Monica Allen, earn her home. Monica was presented with the keys to her home by Moore.
“This build became a team effort, and a lot of the volunteers showed up to be at this dedication,” said Moore at the dedication. “The best part of this all is handing over the keys you have worked so hard for!”
The relationship with Habitat has grown to include Moore’s participation on the last three CEO Builds, which unite business leaders from around the Tampa Bay region to help finance and build a home for a deserving family in our community. Moore has called these build days some of his favorite days of the year.
Orlando Health Bayfront continued its support of Habitat by sponsoring its second home with our organization. The Ntawanga-Nizeyimana Family earned their keys in Habitat’s single-family home community in Lealman known as The Greenway on March 28, 2024. Moore, Becker, and members of their team were on hand to present a symbolic hammer, representing all the volunteer hours on the home, and to present the keys.
“It was our pleasure to have 60 team members work on this home,” said Bari Becker, Orlando Health Community Relations Manager when presenting a ceremonial hammer to the family, which represents all the hard work put in by the family, volunteers, and Habitat staff on the home. “It was so inspiring for us to work alongside you and help you achieve this dream.”
“We are so thankful for the continued support and partnership from Orlando Health Bayfront,” said Sutton. “It’s always great to work with John and Bari and their entire team. We look forward to more projects and partnerships with them and appreciate what they do for Habitat and for the community.”
In 2024, Habitat was named Orlando Health’s Community Partner of the Year. This award is presented to a community partner that demonstrates the values and beliefs of Orlando Health with respect to community involvement.
This May, Orlando Health Bayfront will begin working on its third sponsored home with Habitat.
“I am so proud of our team members—more than 100 strong—who have volunteered over 400 hours over the past three years in support of Habitat for Humanity’s mission,” said Moore. “This marks our third consecutive year sponsoring a home build, and each experience continues to show just how meaningful this work is—not only for the families receiving a home, but for those who help build it. From learning hands-on construction skills to hearing the inspiring stories of families striving for a better future, these moments have made a lasting impact. Our ongoing involvement is a reflection of the powerful ripple effect that comes from giving back, and I’m honored that our hospital continues to support the incredible work Habitat TBG is doing across our region.”
To get your organization involved with Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, visit this link to schedule a group build day and learn more about our corporate partnerships.
