Provence Homes, Inc.
Building a Solid Foundation for Cancer Awareness
Many area businesses make it a point to donate considerable sums to a wide range of local charities. Whether it’s for medical research, education or community improvement, corporate Kansas City has long played an active and vital role in KC’s charitable community. But few companies and their associates have donated the proceeds of the sale of a home.
That is until last year when a company known as "Provence Homes, Inc. by John Lober" did just that. Helped by a willing team of subcontractors and suppliers, Lober constructed a two-story Northland show home.
"Many subcontractors and suppliers jumped at the chance to participate in the show home and donate to the cause," says John Lober. The sale of the home generated $150,000 in profits, which were earmarked for cancer research, half the funds going to MU, half to KU.
For Lober, this project was close to the heart. In April 2000, his wife Lori was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer and given less than 18 months to live. The Lobers did not give up. They sought out a comprehensive cancer care center whose experts attacked Lori’s cancer and reversed it. Today, she shows no evidence of cancer.
Throughout this ordeal, says Lori, the mother of three boys, "I promised God I would give back any way I could." With John in full support, Lori founded the Touched by Cancer Foundation, whose purpose into the future is to build awareness nationwide of the need for comprehensive care.
The show home attracted Katie Harman, Miss America 2002, who subsequently became the foundation’s national spokeswoman. Kansas City’s KMBC-TV Lara Moritz also helped with the project. Since then, Moritz has become an advocate for the Touched by Cancer Foundation.
"Last year’s show home was simply a trial run," says Lori. "This year, our 2004 show home will be the full blown deal." The new home, currently under construction, is being built as a prototype. Along with designing and building the show home, the Lobers are putting together a detailed business plan so that homebuilders across America can follow in their footsteps.
The plan will include directions on how to recruit the support of subcontractors, resolve staffing needs, how to create awareness about the show home and communicate the mission statement for the not-for-profit foundation. The prototype manual will also outline how to manage the show home process and promote the concept in other communities.
Lori Lober mentions that several other homebuilders have contacted Provence Homes about being the builder of KC’s next "Building Awareness Celebrity Show Home." In this next project, slated for The National Golf Course community in Parkville, the Lobers hope to have a willing celebrity dedicate each room to a cancer patient or survivor.
The Lobers have also developed other ways to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. In addition to donating their proceeds on the show homes and building a national prototype for other builders, Provence Homes donated an all-inclusive weeklong trip to Cancun, Mexico for the organization’s "hot legs" contest, and sponsors a celebrity golf tournament and gala, among other initiatives. Lori was also instrumental in opening Friperie, a resale boutique in Olathe, Kan. benefiting the Touched by Cancer Foundation and its mission. The Lobers and Provence Homes’ contributions have not gone unnoticed. Lori’s work has been recognized as one of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s"25 Champions in the Fight Against Breast Cancer across the nation." Lori will also be featured in the October issue of SELF Magazine as a Yoplait Champion and the Touched by Cancer Foundation will receive $1,000.
Regardless of the contributions made towards breast cancer education and awareness, Lori and John Lober know the fight against cancer is a long battle. That’s why they’re count- ing on the building industry to unite and make a difference in the long-term survival of others diagnosed with cancer.
"The Building Awareness Show homes are a way for the building industry to come together and give back in whatever fashion we can," says Lori.