Tucker Hill partners with The Samaritan Inn, Collin County’s only homeless shelter

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Lifestyles
Tucker Hill partners with The Samaritan Inn, Collin County’s only homeless shelter
By Lynne Weinberger, The Samaritan Inn
May 6, 2008

Greater Goodies given to prospective homeowners

McKinney, TX – Tucker Hill, McKinney’s newest traditional neighborhood, will be giving Greater Goodies – chocolate truffles hand made by residents of the Inn – to prospective homeowners in an effort to support The Samaritan Inn, Collin County’s only homeless shelter.

Southern Land Company, the developer of Tucker Hill, has partnered with the Samaritan Inn as part of a larger initiative to raise awareness of issues surrounding homelessness in Collin County. Tucker Hill purchases the chocolate from the Samaritan Inn and sends it to people who tour the model homes. The money made helps support the vocational training program at the Samaritan Inn, which teaches job skills to residents of the shelter.

“Despite Collin County’s growth and strong demographics, homelessness is unfortunately relevant in every society,” said Toby Clark, vocational coordinator for the Samaritan Inn. “Through our partnership with Tucker Hill, we hope to educate the larger community on the challenges we face and the milestones we have achieved.”

The Samaritan Inn provides emergency refuge for people experiencing homelessness; but it also provides intense and therapeutic programs designed to foster independence.

Tucker Hill and The Samaritan Inn, Collin County's only homeless shelter, have teamed up with a new program, sending handmade Samaritan Inn-dustries chocolate truffles to those touring Tucker Hill model homes.

Many residents of the Samaritan Inn need to acquire marketable job skills and they are doing that by participating in a program called Samaritan Inn-dustries. This innovative and award-winning program teaches job skills by operating a small business that produces delicious chocolate truffles, appropriately named Greater Goodies.

Southern Land Company, the developer of Tucker Hill, has a long-standing reputation of giving back to the community. As the company has expanded in the Texas market, so has their philanthropical output.

Tim Downey, president and CEO of Southern Land Company, prides himself on the company’s commitment to charity.

“Our company’s passion is developing quality, high-end communities that enrich the lives of those who live there,” said Downey. “Giving back to our communities and neighbors around the world through service and outreach though is what makes us most proud. We are so happy to be able to contribute to a wonderful organization like The Samaritan Inn.”

About The Samaritan Inn
Since 1984, The Samaritan Inn, a non-profit organization, has helped thousands of homeless people in Collin County regain their independence with comprehensive programs and the help of caring individuals and corporations. The Samaritan Inn was established in 1984 after community leaders joined together to address the issue of homelessness in Collin County. Twenty three years later, The Samaritan Inn is still the only homeless shelter in a county of over 700,000 residents. For more information, visit: www.thesamaritaninn.org.

About Tucker Hill
Tucker Hill is a 772-acre residential, mixed-use community located on Highway 380 just north of Stonebridge Ranch, within the city limits of McKinney. Tucker Hill is a traditional neighborhood development that will consist of more than 2,100 new homes upon build-out with an elementary school.

It will contain more than 50 acres of open space, community amenities such as pools, two Residents’ Clubs with activities directors, and two retail villages with restaurants, shops and offices. Tucker Hill will host the 2008 Spring Parade of Homes ™. To learn more about Tucker Hill, visit: www.tuckerhilltx.com.

About Southern Land Company
Southern Land Company is based in Franklin, Tennessee, 15 miles south of downtown Nashville. It is a full service development firm with more than 325 employees between the Tennessee and Texas offices. The company employs architects, landscape architects, homebuilders, town planners, engineers, heavy construction professionals, marketing and sales teams, horticulturalists, and a broad scope of community development professionals. The private firm was founded 21 years ago by the current CEO, Timothy W. Downey. To learn more about Southern Land Company, visit www.southernland.com.