Irvine company contributes to Habitat for Humanity
Ally Antis is like any other 14-year-old.
The Mission Viejo resident enjoys swimming, playing piano, hanging out with her friends and spending time with her family. However, Ally also shines among others her age through her involvement with helping those less fortunate than herself.
This summer, Ally, along with her father and brother, will travel with Habitat for Humanity to Mongolia for the Blue Sky Build 2012 project.
“I think it’s exciting that she, at such a young age, is excited to participate in something like this,†said Aaron Antis, Ally’s cousin. “It’s something to say about her character and the person she wants to be.â€
From June 30 to July 16, Ally and 350 other volunteers from around the world will help build homes for the people of Ulaanbaatar. Eight of those volunteers are from Orange County.
Ally’s involvement with Habitat for Humanity started with helping her father, Charles Antis, with home dedications around Orange County. Charles Antis, who lives in Irvine and runs his Irvine-based company, Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, has donated roofing for Habitat homes since 2009.
“Antis Roofing has three core values. A commitment to company and culture, being responsible in our trade and social responsibility. Our relationship with Habitat helps us meet our third value — in fact, Habitat is at the top of our list in how we meet our commitment to social responsibility,†according to the company’s website.
However, despite serving as a board member for the past two years, this is the first Habitat for Humanity trip that Charles Antis will be taking.
“Without Ally, I wouldn’t even be doing this,†Charles Antis said. “This is all borne out of my daughter. I am so excited. We’re going to have an amazing time.â€
A family trip to Africa in 2011 sparked Ally’s interest in helping those less fortunate than her.
“When we went to Africa and saw how different it was than here, I felt bad and wanted to help,†she said. “I almost felt guilty for having all this stuff in America, and I just got inspired to want to help those kids out.â€
Charles Antis said since that trip, Ally has showed a strong desire to help those in need.
“Before I could finish asking the question about spending this year’s vacation building homes in Mongolia, Ally excitingly screamed, ‘Yes!’ She has been anxiously preparing for this trip during the past six months,†he said.
Sharon Ellis, executive director for Habitat for Humanity OC, shared the enthusiasm.
“I think the fact that this is a family experience, it’s an incredible opportunity that other families would love to have,†she said.
Anyone who would like to reach out to Habitat for Humanity Mongolia can donate school supplies by mailing them or dropping them off at Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, 48 Waterworks Way, Irvine.
Any donations received before June 30 will aboard the plane headed to Mongolia with Ally and her family.
Twitter: @thedailypilot