TYLER, Texas — The annual Parade of Homes is back for its 71st year and one builder chose to furnish their home in a way that is affordable and impactful.
Pyramid Homes and Goodwill Industries of East Texas are partnering for a second year to stage a half-a-million dollar home using donated items from Goodwill.
"Pyramid Homes is a green builder. So they build energy efficient homes, they build smart homes and it’s the idea of being healthy for the environment. And with Goodwill finds, those are all things that have been gently used and donated by the community. So the idea just kind of went hand in hand," Community Engagement and Development Director Lakeidra Lincoln said.
Anwar Khalifa, president of Pyramid Homes, said he knows Goodwill has a positive impact on the community.
"I know Goodwill and I know the mission that they do, which is that they help a lot of folks with limited abilities to gain skills to enter the workforce," Khalifa said.
Last year was Goodwill's first time staging a home with Pyramid Homes and this year they're looking to do it bigger and better in 2024.
"This year, we have five areas that we are staging. We had a group of volunteers who came in and sourced all of our 15 locations to find all of the furnishings and the décor and then came in and actually decorated the home," Lincoln said.
Goodwill was able to furnish for the model home for under $3,000.
Those interested in making their home shopping more affordable can visit 15 Goodwill stores across the East Texas region. Goodwill says 86 cents of every dollar will go toward funding their programs to help better someone's life.
Tickets for the Parade of Homes are on sale now and can be found here. Proceeds from those sales will benefit a local charity and the Tyler Area Builders Association.