French Brothers Home Draws Record-Setting $145,000 for Casa For A Cause

Last fall, when organizers for the annual Casa For A Cause event were still in the planning stages of the 2024 event, French Brothers Homes Chief Revenue Officer and event chairman Jason Kipker saw a moment to set expectations sky-high for the benefit of Las Cruces.

Kipker, at the time, told his team that he hoped to see this year’s house yield up to $140,000 to benefit community service organizations in the city. Ultimately, Kipker’s estimate was correct.

Built by French Brothers, this year’s home attracted a record-high $145,000, surpassing Kipker’s goal and setting a new record for Casa For A Cause for bringing in the highest total since the program’s inception in 2014.

French Brothers Homes and The Las Cruces Home Builders Association announced the allocation of the $145,000 to 26 local non-profit organizations in March during its annual banquet at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Since 2014, Casa For A Cause has donated more than $540,400 back to the La Cruces Community.

This year’s house, located on Bedford Avenue near the Red Hawk Golf Course, was designed using the French Brothers Caballo floor plan. At 2,039 square feet, it featured four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a two-car garage, all with a view of the Organ Mountains.

During the March banquet, Mayor Eric Enriquez spoke about the excellent work Casa For A Cause has done for La Cruces, saying, “When you see people in this community that have the opportunity to purchase a home, it gives a sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment; and you touch so many lives, from the labor force to every industry that’s involved in building homes.”

As for Kipker, he’s not sharing any details about the next Casa For A Cause event just yet. However, reflecting on what French Brothers Homes accomplished this year, he said, “This kind of work is precisely what the company was founded upon—’to build a great company that enriches the lives of our people, our customers and our communities.’”

The following awards were announced for 2024:

• Mesilla Valley Hospice — $15,000
• LCHBA Education Foundation — $10,000
• Las Cruces Boys and Girls Club — $10,000
• Tutti Bambini — $7,500
• Turning Point of Las Cruces — $7,500
• NM Law Enforcement Torch Run
for Special Olympics — $7,500
• ACTion Programs for Animals — $7,500
• United Way of Southwest New Mexico — $5,000
• Toys for Tots of Doña Ana County — $5,000
• Organ Mountain Veterans Coffee Group — $5,000
• Loaves and Fishes — $5,000
• Morning Star’s Lighthouse — $5,000
• Mesilla Valley Habitat for Humanity — $5,000
• Jardin de los Niños — $5,000
• Honor Flight of Southern New Mexico — $5,000
• Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8 — $5,000
• Children’s Theatre of the Mesilla Valley — $5,000
• El Caldito — $5,000
• Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico — $5,000
• Casa de Peregrinos — $5,000
• The Cat’s Meow — $2,500
• Doña Ana County Humane Society — $2,500
• The Sophia — $2,500
• St. Andrew Hospitality House — $2,500
• Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue — $2,500
• Order of the Eastern Star — $2,500