Snow—and spirited snowball battles—brought wintry sparkle to the fun and festivities at Carousel Ranch on December 9, as Pardee Homes hosted Santa Day at this Santa Clarita equestrian ranch, created in 1997 for children with special needs. Warmed by hot drinks and munching candies, apples and other holiday fare, kids, parents, staff and Pardee Homes’ Los Angeles/Ventura counties division employees joined in the celebration.

“We used to have the traditional holiday lunch for ourselves, but we find much more meaning in doing something special for others, so we used this year’s ‘lunch money’ for Carousel Ranch,” said Jim Bizzelle, vice president of community development for the LA/Ventura division. “We were delighted to get the go-ahead from Carousel Ranch, and we enjoyed every minute of our time here.”

Via their office Christmas tree ornamented with some 90 children’s names, Pardee Homes’ employees provided gifts for every child who comes to Carousel Ranch for its program of therapeutic horseback riding. As sponsor of Santa Day, the company also provided a corral full of snow, drinks and treats and of course, a special visit from Santa, who came to hear the kids’ holiday wishes and help distribute their gifts.

“It was a great party and we sincerely thank Pardee Homes for going all out in our annual celebration for the kids of Carousel Ranch,” said Jeanna Crawford, Carousel Ranch Board Member and Fund Raising Chair.  “Thanks to their efforts, we were able to stage a generous, memorable and warm party—despite the cold weather!”

Bizzelle said Pardee Homes added to Santa Day with two one-year sponsorships for therapy sessions at Carousel Ranch. “We are very impressed with the work being done here for special needs kids,” he said. “We are delighted that our available funds for the Holiday Giving program cover two children for a full year.”

Now in its third year, Pardee Homes’ Holiday of Giving is celebrated throughout the company’s regional operations. In each, employees give back in a host of ways, according to Mike McGee, president and chief executive officer.

“Each regional office has embraced a local charity and designed a program of giving and support to help make the holidays extra special for those in need,” said McGee. “By using the funds that would have gone toward a holiday luncheon, our employees work together to continue our long tradition of philanthropic outreach. And as it is with Carousel Ranch, many employees add the gift of time and personalized holiday cheer from their own resources.”

In addition to the Carousel Ranch in Santa Clarita, the LA/Ventura division also dedicated a portion of its 2007 funding to the Santa Clarita Food Pantry and to the Domestic Violence Shelter of Santa Clarita. This division also assisted Pardee Homes’ corporate offices with help for the RAIN Shelter in Camarillo.

Company-wide, monies used in lieu of the luncheons represent all Pardee Homes’ offices in California and Nevada. Other organizations that benefited from Pardee Homes 2007 Holiday Giving program include the King Hall transition house in Riverside, the Polinsky Children’s Center Foundation in San Diego and HomeAid and the Shade Tree shelter in Las Vegas.

Bizzelle said this year’s Holiday Giving builds on the success of each preceding year’s program, and reflects the company’s year-around support on behalf of the homeless, youth and medical research. “The giving spirit is alive and well at Pardee Homes, and during the holidays, even more employees take the time to support the communities in which we build,” he said Bizzelle.  “We are pleased to enrich our year-around efforts with this new holiday tradition.”

Pardee Homes is one of the oldest and most reputable building companies in California. Originally established in 1921, the company is recognized for quality new homes, responsive customer service and dedication to the civic goals of the communities in which it builds. Pardee Homes is active in California and Nevada, with regional offices in San Diego, Corona, Valencia and Las Vegas.

Pardee Homes’ new home choices address a spectrum of households, and the company places particular emphasis on master-planned settings that also include schools, parks and preserved open space.