Making a Difference: Riverside Homes Celebrates Jacksonville Magazine’s Companies with Heart Recognition for Third Year in a Row

We are pleased to announce that for the third consecutive year, Riverside Homes has been named as one of Jacksonville Magazine’s Companies with Heart honorees. This annual recognition is presented to businesses on the First Coast that strive for bottom line success while also embracing the spirit of giving back. We were among only fifteen local businesses that were honored for our contributions to the greater good through philanthropy, volunteering, and environmental efforts.

In February, Online Sales and Marketing Director, Andrea Johnson, and longtime New Home Sales Consultant, Cindy Blanton, proudly represented Riverside Homes at the award luncheon held at WJCT Studios. It was especially meaningful for Cindy to attend this year as she was highlighted as a ‘Standout Employee’ in the featured article that was published in Jacksonville Magazine’s January/February 2023 issue.

“We recognize that we have a duty to give back. By taking responsibility for the well-being and improvement of Jacksonville, FL, we know that our company can help strengthen the fabric of our community. It’s a privilege for Riverside Homes to be included among the Companies with Heart honorees,” shared Johnson.

The philosophy of “Building with Heart” is the foundation on which Riverside Homes was established. In addition to striving to provide exceptional customer service and high-quality home designs, we measure success based on the positive impacts our corporate social responsibility efforts make on those in need. By working together for the common good, it makes the Northeast Florida community a better place to live for all. 

Proudly Supporting Organizations That Do Good

Riverside Homes’ true impact comes through actively supporting and partnering with a handful of local organizations. As a team and as individuals, we donate generously both monetarily and with volunteer hours to a wide variety of causes, including: Rethreaded, The Healing Hearts Project, Hunger Fight, Best Buddies, Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville, The Will King Foundation, Davidson Cares, and Early Learning Coalition of North Florida.

One of Riverside Homes most notable partnerships is with Rethreaded. Since 2019, Riverside Homes has proudly supported the nonprofit by donating $30,000 annually as a matching gift for their birthday fundraising celebration. Inspired by Rethreaded’s mission to renew hope, reignite dreams and release potential for survivors of human trafficking locally and globally through business, Riverside Homes is honored to be a part of helping women sew a new story. Through his involvement in Rethreaded's Band of Brothers Advisory Board, Chris Wood, Riverside Homes Co-Owner, has become a strong advocate for human trafficking victims and in recent years has focused company efforts to support this worthwhile cause that changes lives.

“One of our favorite partners is Riverside Homes. They are an amazing advocate for us and we are so thankful for their support. They’ve enabled us to do more than we could have imagined,” shared Kristin Keen, Rethreaded Founder and President. “Their support is directly impacting our ability to help more women.”

In 2022, Riverside Homes was proud to support a tenured member of the Riverside Homes team, Cindy Blanton, in her campaign for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Woman of the Year. As a Corporate Gold Sponsor, the company pledged a donation of $25,000 to help Cindy in her fight against blood cancer.

Another non-profit that Riverside Homes is proud to provide philanthropic contributions and volunteer support to is The Will King Foundation. Committed to supporting international pediatric heart patients receiving treatment in Jacksonville, FL, The Will King Foundation holds a special place in Riverside Homes’ heart. November 2022 also marked the company’s ninth consecutive year participating in Hunger Fight’s Annual Thanksgiving Community Outreach Event. Realizing a growing increase in those faced with food insecurity, Riverside Homes is proud to bolster Hunger Fight’s dedication to ending hunger and illiteracy through the provision of nutritious meals and books to children, seniors and families in need by informing, engaging and mobilizing communities and partners.

At all levels of the company, staff are encouraged to volunteer their time and expertise (even during work hours) to support the local community and lend a helping hand. Team members enjoy participating in various volunteer opportunities through the year. 

In addition to their philanthropic and volunteer efforts, Riverside Homes is committed to providing environmentally friendly new homes that use less energy and deliver improved comfort. That’s why each Riverside Home receives a HERS home energy rating, an in-depth, comprehensive assessment of a home’s energy performance. Developed by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. It is the industry’s gold standard for measuring a home’s energy efficiency. Every Riverside Home, no matter the plan or price, is constructed with advanced building practices and energy-efficient, high-performance features. These energy efficient products used in the construction process result in a Riverside Home with a low HERS rating. Riverside Homes is dedicated to ensure that each of their new homes fall below the average yearly HERS Index Score.

Building Homes & Relationships

At Riverside Homes, we don’t just build homes. We build relationships. For us, we hope that each of our new home sales consultants and clients develop strong connections that extend far beyond the sale. For Riverside Homes New Home Sales Consultant Cindy Blanton and her client Cindy A., this became a reality as they bonded through much more than just sharing a name. 

Soon after deciding to work with Blanton on her dream family home, Cindy A. was faced with one of the darkest moments of her life. Her beloved husband of 25 years, Joe, passed away from pancreatic cancer. Through these incredibly difficult times, Cindy Blanton was more than just an agent. Whether it was working closely to make any necessary accommodations or simply texting her thoughts and prayers, she was there for their family. It was this relationship and consideration that led Cindy A. to nominate Cindy Blanton as a candidate for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Woman of the Year. During this 10-week philanthropic competition, Cindy hosted numerous fundraisers including a Kickoff Event, Cinco de Mayo Fiesta and Ladies Brunch to bring awareness and raise funds for LLS. Cindy campaigned with her team Loxley’s Angels who represented Loxley, a 9-year-old patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia that was at the time taking oral chemo and receiving monthly IV chemo. By taking pride in helping others, touching people in a positive way, and being a ray of light during someone’s time of darkness, Cindy embodies everything that Riverside Homes stands for as a company. Cindy’s determination led her to be awarded the 2022 Citizenship Award for Community Involvement, as well as raise an impressive $57,000 for LLS.

At Riverside Homes, we are more than just a homebuilder. We are a company that is deeply committed to making a positive impact on the world. Being recognized as a Companies with Heart honoree is a true testament to our dedication to making a difference in the community in which our team lives, plays, and works.

Johnson smiled as she expressed, “As a homegrown builder, we are proud to call Jacksonville home. Building up this community has as always been at the heart of who we are as a company, and we look forward to continuing that tradition."