Beck’s contribution helps with Habitat land purchase

Habitat for Humanity of Hamilton County planned to build its 50th home this year, but didn’t have all the money to purchase
the land when negotiations began.

"There is just this general feeling as we’re proceeding with something, something’s going to happen that will make it
work,"
said Paul Wood, director of church relations at Habitat.

Then in early September, Wood received a call from Beck’s Hybrids, a family-owned seed company in Atlanta. The company was
considering where to make its annual gift, and wanted to hear more about Habitat for Humanity.

Shortly after Wood’s presentation, Vice President Scott Beck called to say the family was impressed and wanted to start with
a $25,000 check.

The gift sealed the purchase of a property at 19955 Hague Road in Noblesville. Josefina Saldivar and her three children, who
used to live in a two-bedroom apartment, took occupancy of a four-bedroom, two-bath home on Nov. 15.

Like other Habitat homeowners, Saldivar takes on a zero-interest mortgage with a minimum monthly payment. Habitat for Humanity
will help her budget for taxes, insurance and other homeowners’ expenses.

"After meeting Josefina, I was very encouraged, and just happy we had done this," Beck said. "It helped to
meet a real need
at an important time in her and her family’s life."

Scott Beck works with his father, company President Lawrence "Sonny" Beck, brother-in-law and facilities manager
Todd Marschand
and brother Tony Beck, who raises soy and corn seed on a 1,000-acre farm in Illinois.

Beck’s Hybrids sets aside 10 percent of its profits each year to give to charity, which must be Christian-based. Beck said
his wife Shantel and mother Glendia both had Habitat for Humanity on their radar for this year’s gift.

The company also gave $5,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis during a fund-raising competition between Indiana
University and Purdue University. (The Becks are Boilermakers.)

Scott Beck said there were multiple factors that made Habitat for Humanity attractive. He said the family liked the fact that
"people in the whole community can pull together and participate and be part of it."

Beck said his family also considered Habitat’s work to be "a hand-up, instead of a hand-out."

"That philosophy is very much needed," Beck said. "It’s encouraging when you’re giving to someone or an organization
that
is helping people that are truly striving to do the right thing and the right way."

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Know of a gift that IBJ should feature? Contact Kathleen McLaughlin at kmclaughlin@ibj.com.