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Bobby Rayburn — home builder, owner of Rayburn and Associates, and former Æðµã´«Ã½ President — remembers seeing first-hand the aftermath a natural disaster can bring to a community. Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi nearly 20 years ago, wiping out entire neighborhoods, prompting Rayburn and his colleagues to create the Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund (HBIDRF), a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization.

Since 2005, the HBIDRF has disbursed over $2 million to assist areas across the U.S. affected by natural disasters, including recovery efforts from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and wildfires.

“I’ve been proud to serve on the fund’s board over the last two decades,” said Rayburn. “I’ve seen an incredible amount of good work be completed across the nation.”

To help fulfill the fund’s mission, Æðµã´«Ã½ launched a matching campaign to support rebuilding efforts in communities impacted by natural disasters. Æðµã´«Ã½ will through March 1, 2025, up to $500,000.

All funds raised for the HBIDRF through this matching campaign will support the partnership of local charities and state and local home builders’ associations to address the rebuilding needs of devastated communities. Rayburn encourages industry members to donate to the fund to help rebuild communities.

“Together we can help communities begin to heal,” said Rayburn.