Universal City, CA
Homes 4 Families honored Boeing and Los Angeles City Council President at their annual Hearts for
Heroes Builder’s Ball on Friday, March 22, 2024.
The funds raised at the event will be used to complete the next 6 homes of a 56-home neighborhood for
low-income veterans in Palmdale, and to start a 12-home neighborhood for low-income veterans in
North Hollywood. The event took place at the Universal Sheraton Hotel in Universal City, CA.
Los Angeles County Supervisor presented Boeing with the Hammer of Hope Award, the non-profit
organization’s highest honor, which is presented to extraordinary individuals or entities who are leaders
in their fields and communities, specifically those who serve veterans and low-income families seeking
to enter the middle class. Past recipients include Lockheed Martin, Anheuser Busch, Citibank, Home
Depot, Princess Cruises, and many others.
Boeing has been a major supporter of Homes 4 Families’ veterans since 2021, contributing over
$200,000 towards programs and services to date. They haven’t just given dollars, but have rolled up
their sleeves and helped build veteran homes at Team builds, WE Builds, Rainbow Builds, and have
helped welcome military families home at key ceremonies.
Accepting the award on behalf of Boeing was Dana Perkins, also known as “PERK,” who served in the US
Navy reserve for over 36 years, and retired in the summer of 2021. Perkins joined Boeing in 2001 at St.
Louis and has advanced in his field to his current position as the USAF Test FOS Director with Boeing’s
Engineering, Operations, and Technology Branch. Perkins leads USAF testing at multiple air force bases
where he is responsible for all Boeing lead / supported flight and lab tests.
Homes 4 Families Board Chair Brad Rosenheim also presented a Hammer of Hope Award to Los Angeles
City Council President Paul Krekorian, whose support was instrumental in obtaining the North
Hollywood Veteran Enriched Neighborhood site and identifying $480,000 in City funding that has been
essential in moving that project forward.
All proceeds raised will go towards building and providing services to low-income military families
through the CalVet REN (Residential Enriched Neighborhood) program. The first thirty homes of the 56-
home Palmdale project are complete, with the next 26 being completed in phases through 2026. This
program empowers low-income veterans and their families to enter the middle class through affordable,
full-equity homeownership combined with holistic services that build resiliency, self-sufficiency and
economic growth. Families receive comprehensive wraparound services that equip them to succeed in
civilian life, including financial education, therapeutic trauma-informed workshops, services for military
children, and veteran-to-veteran support.
This year’s event was chaired by Maria Weintraub. The event was hosted by comedian Eric Schwartz.
Ricky Medlin Jr., also known as “Rat Pack Ricky” performed live.
Platinum level sponsor included Johnny Carson Foundation. Gold level sponsors included: Boeing,
Lockheed Martin, Sikand Foundation, and Weintraub Family Foundation. Silver level sponsors included:
Anheuser-Busch, Bank of America, The Board Group, LN & Susanna H Van Nuys Foundation, Land of the
Free Foundation, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Michael Klein, Northrop Grumman, The
Rasmussen Foundation, Rise Pasadena, Terri Hausman, Tony Rodriquez, and Trammel Crow. Bronze
level sponsors included: Cinmark Company LP, IMS, Pacific Coast Civil, and Rosenheim & Associates.
About Homes 4 Families
Homes 4 Families (www.homes4families.org) empowers low-income veterans and their families to enter
the middle class through affordable, full-equity homeownership combined with holistic services that
build resiliency, self-sufficiency and economic growth. Through its outcome-proven Enriched
Neighborhood ® model, the nonprofit provides servicemen, servicewomen and their families with
comprehensive wraparound services that equip them to succeed in civilian life, including financial
education, therapeutic workshops, trauma-informed programs and veteran-to-veteran support. With
more than ten years of research-backed experience and success, Homes 4 Families works closely with the
California Department of Veterans Affairs and others to build permanent, thriving veteran communities.