After moving into an historic home, Bill Baldwin, who also owns Boulevard Realty, gained a new appreciation for inner-city farming and the value of locally grown produce. "Back around 2008, I fell in love with a 1908 home in the Woodland Heights," says Bill Baldwin. "The entire journey of restoring the home and moving into it inspired me to get into old-fashioned ways. I built a chicken coop and got a dozen chickens. I got into beekeeping, organic gardening and pursued local organic food whenever possible. I was motivated to teach local neighborhoods to feed themselves. I wanted to teach kids that eggs don't come from grocery stores, they come from chickens!" When Baldwin discovered the synergies between his enthusiasm and the mission of Recipe for Success, he became an enthusiastic supporter. Last year he hosted a fundraiser for the Foundation in his home. In 2016, he's taking it a step further. An offhand conversation with Gracie about the kitchen being the heart of the home, inspired his collaboration with DJ Palmore to dream up their Heart of the Home Tour slated for February 13-21 to benefit our cause.
Get your tickets for the Afton Oaks Heart of the Home Tour
Get your tickets for the Heart of the Home Tour
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Open House Ticket(2/13,2/14,2/20,2/21) - $10 per person
- VIP Dinner (Tues. 2/16) - $200 per person or $350 per couple. This ticket gives you access to an exclusive VIP dinner with special guests Chef Ryan Pera and Morgan Weber.
- This ticket gives you access to the open house taking place on any of these days between 11 AM to 5 PM.
After moving into an historic home, Bill Baldwin, who also owns Boulevard Realty, gained a new appreciation for inner-city farming and the value of locally grown produce. "Back around 2008, I fell in love with a 1908 home in the Woodland Heights," says Bill Baldwin. "The entire journey of restoring the home and moving into it inspired me to get into old-fashioned ways. I built a chicken coop and got a dozen chickens. I got into beekeeping, organic gardening and pursued local organic food whenever possible. I was motivated to teach local neighborhoods to feed themselves. I wanted to teach kids that eggs don't come from grocery stores, they come from chickens!"
Baldwin says the more he embraced inner-city farming, the more he heard about Recipe for Success Foundation. He also got involved with the Green Valentine organization created by long-time Foundation supporter, Jeff Shell. Green Valentine celebrates sustainable living for two weeks each February. For their 10th anniversary in 2015, Baldwin hosted the Green Hearts Gala, which benefitted Recipe for Success. "We considered several local charities, but the grass roots nature of Recipe for Success was the deciding factor," says Baldwin.
As Baldwin's company began anticipating the completion of a distinctive new construction listing in Houston's Afton Oaks neighborhood, Bill decided to stage an open house tour to showcase the craftsmanship of David James Custom Builder, a company owned and operated by DJ Palmore, and immediately thought of having the tour benefit Recipe for Success. An offhand conversation with Gracie about the kitchen being the heart of the home, inspired the name: Heart of the Home Tour. The event, happening on two weekends in February 2016, includes a VIP dinner featuring Coltivare/Revival/Eight Row Flint proprietors Morgan Weber and Chef Ryan Pera.
"It's so important to know your neighborhood - get out there and host or attend events in your neighborhood," says Baldwin, who has been active in the community for years, first serving on school board at age 18. "Strong schools make a strong community. You don't have to go the suburbs to find good schools, they can be in any in-town neighborhood. When you take ownership of your local school, you ensure a bright future for children."
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