HAYDEN HOMES AND FIRST STORY COMBINED GIVING IN WALLA WALLA VALLEY TOPS $750,000 IN 2024

More than 40 nonprofits and civic organizations supported since 1998

Walla Walla, Wash, June 2, 2024– Hayden Homes and First Story announced today their excitement at topping $750,000 in combined giving to more than 40 nonprofits and civic organizations in Walla Walla Valley over the past 25 years.

Several new gifts in 2024 pushed the total giving past the $750,000 threshold, including:

• $1,000 to the City of Walla Walla for Clean-Up Day on May 11
• $10,000 to Blue Mountain Humane Society for the 10th Annual Dog Jog on May 19
• $10,000 to Walla Walla Music & Crash Fest for the May 31-June 1 event
• $10,000 to Walla Walla Community Council for a rural broadband initiative
• $5,000 to Walla Walla Rocks Concert for the Aug. 2-4 event
• $25,000 to Walla Walla Youth Lacrosse

To Give As You Go™ is the core mission of Hayden Homes, which is the largest private home builder in the Northwest, now serving Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Overall, the company has donated more than $70 million to charitable causes with the flagship of its giving through First Story, a nonprofit founded by Hayden Homes in 1998.

“I hope that the legacy of Hayden Homes is synonymous with giving,” said Dennis Murphy, CEO of Hayden Homes. “Our founders, Bob and Virginia Watson, set an example of giving that was baked into our DNA from the start. Give As You Go™ is who we are.”

Hayden Homes also brings home owners into the circle of giving through a charitable covenant, which provides a community donation of ⅛th of 1 percent every time a Hayden Home is sold. These donations are made directly to local nonprofits through First Story. More than $2.4 million has been dispersed through the charitable covenant, including more than $150,000 to Walla Walla Valley charities.

In the Walla Walla Valley, Hayden Homes and First Story have supported organizations such as Blue Mountain Action Council, Camp Fire Walla Walla, Children’s Home Society, College Place Christmas Parade, Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, Friends of the Children, Helpline of Walla Walla, Hope Heals, Hope Street, Powerhouse Theater, Relay for Life, Step Women’s Shelter, VFW of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Police Foundation, Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce, Walla Walla Community Council, Walla Walla Little League, Windermere Foundation, YWCA of Walla Walla and many more.

“Through support for Blue Mountain Action Council, First Story has made significant investments in homeownership and housing assistance, food insecurities, and neighborhood outreach and education,” said Danielle Garbe Reser, CEO of BMAC. “These are the building blocks of a strong community. Thank you, First Story and Hayden Homes homeowners!”