August 17, 2021
Academy Mortgage Colorado Participates in ‘Paradise Rising’ Event for Community
Two years after a catastrophic fire, the smell of smoke still lingers throughout the small Northern California town of Paradise. The 2018 Camp Fire was one of the most destructive and deadliest wildfires in the state’s history. As rebuilding efforts continue throughout the region, the team at Academy Mortgage has partnered with several non-profit organizations to encourage optimism in the community and bring back some of the properties residents once called home.
In June 2021, Academy Mortgage Colorado joined 75 other Academy Mortgage team members in Paradise to help rebuild a home lost in the fire and construct several sheds for local schools and neighborhoods. After a day-long orientation, the group headed out to the jobsite to begin building the first home for an 84-year-old woman who lost everything in the ravaging fire.
“Our goal was to help make Paradise home again to those who lost their livelihoods in this devastating fire,” said Jeff Tarbell, Academy Mortgage Colorado regional sales leader. “As a northern California native, seeing this level of despair and desolation left behind after the fire hit home for me, but also for those on our Colorado team who have experienced record-breaking wildfires in the Rocky Mountain region as well. Through our shared mission, we took action to extend our support to a community that’s given so much to the people who have loved and cherished their lives here.”
Over a two-week period and continuing to this day, the Academy Mortgage team members have framed out a home for residents of Paradise as well as built 52 planter boxes, 7 picnic tables, and 14 storage sheds for families in need and the local schools. The first build group from Academy Mortgage Colorado consisted of: Justin Harris (Senior Vice President, Production), Jeff Tarbell (Regional Sales Leader, Colorado), Mary Jane Douma (Branch Manager, Grand Junction), Justin Ownby (Loan Officer, Fort Collins), Adam Buniger (Loan Officer, Grand Junction).
With the help of the non-profit organization, Love Builds, local contractors, and donations, the Academy Mortgage Colorado team made a tremendous impact in not only the lives of the people whose homes they rebuilt, but in the town itself. Tarbell believes, “With the team we’ve assembled and our collective purpose to rebuild this community, we’re positive Paradise will live up to its name and provide a sense of hope for those who call this integral piece of California home.”
About Academy Mortgage
Academy Mortgage is one of the top independent purchase lenders in the country as ranked in the 2018 CoreLogic Marketrac Report. It is the company’s mission to become 1st CHOICE in delivering the dream of sustainable homeownership by inspiring hope and building prosperity in the lives of its employees, homebuilders, real estate agents, and in the communities that it serves. Academy has more than 250 branches and 2,000 employees across the country and is licensed to originate loans in 49 states and Washington D.C.
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Contact:
Jeff Tarbell, Regional Sales Leader
jeff.tarbell@academymortgage.com, (916) 718-5171
