Porto Launches Unique Fundraising Gala/Auction for Habitat for Humanity

Raleigh, NC, September 26, 2006 --(PR.com)-- To celebrate the role artists play in advancing our cultural and social development, and to align that role with the extraordinary contribution Habitat for Humanity makes to our society, Porto, a fine home furnishings store in Raleigh, will present a unique event that will culminate in a gala auction benefiting Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, November 11, 2006, in the store at 4151 Main at North Hills.

Porto has invited fine artists to “recycle” old doors from Habitat’s Reuse Center in Raleigh into one-of-a-kind works of art that translate the theme “The Passage To Civilized Living.” The completed doors will then be exhibited in public spaces around Raleigh for a month (to be announced) leading up to the evening of November 11. That night, gala attendees will bid on these unusual works of original art while enjoying wine and culinary offerings from several Raleigh restaurants and live music performed by recording artists the Steve Hobbs Jazz Quartet.

This event will also mark Porto’s second anniversary of doing business.

“The Passage to Civilized Living and the subsequent contribution to Habitat for Humanity seems fitting and only natural for a home furnishings store,” said Michael Perry, who owns Porto with partners Emily Barrett and Clark Hipolito. “As a business, we have always made it a point to give back to the community that supports us and to support efforts towards environmental stewardship. This event is both our way of thanking the community for its on-going support and a way to demonstrate a very creative use of recycled building materials.”

Habitat for Humanity of Wake County develops partnerships to build healthy, affordable homes with and for people in need, promotes self-reliance through homeownership, affirms the dignity of the family, and creates sustainable communities. The ReUse Center supports Habitat for Humanity of Wake County by selling new and salvaged building materials to the public at discounted prices. All proceeds from the Center contribute to the construction of new Habitat homes. The ReUse Center participates in Habitat for Humanity International's overall environmental initiative by diverting usable materials away from the waste stream, while promoting responsible stewardship of natural resources.

Seventy-five percent of the winning bids will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County. (The remaining 25 percent goes to the artists.) Porto is hoping to raise $70,000 for Habitat – the cost to build a complete Habitat house.

For more information on “The Passage To Civilized Living,” contact Kim Weiss, Porto’s public relations coordinator, at 919-272-8615, or by email: kjw27612@yahoo.com.

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