Posted: Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:37 AM - 10,584 Readers

By: Aden Holasek

LAKEWAY — Steve Zbranek, owner and partner of Zbranek Custom Homes, saw a story on the news about a local youth sports association which lost nearly a quarter of a million dollars and decided he wanted to help.

Zbranek Custom Homes and Legend Communities presented Lake Travis Youth Association with $150,000 at the opening of the Parade of Homes in Rough Hollow Oct. 14. LTYA President Chad Wilbanks told how the youth sports association lost the money when their online credit card company filed for bankruptcy.

“We were still able to deliver sports to the kids, but it was a challenge to maintain the finances and the fields, to purchase new uniforms and to keep the lights on,” Wilbanks said. “But we never once raised the price to participate.”

After seeing the news report, Zbranek met with his partner, Tony Holt.

“We built a benefit home for Lake Travis Educational Foundation back in 2004, and we thought we could do the same for LTYA,” Zbranek said.

Zbranek wanted to shine a light on the organization, so he met with Haythem Dawlett, founder of principal of Legend Communities, about including the home in the Parade of Homes.

Dawlett donated $40,000 for the cost of the land, and Zbranek donated more than $150,000 for the cost of the home. Fifty additional local vendors and subcontractors donated or reduced the cost of products that went into the home. The contributions totaled $150,000.

“We are going to use the money for specific construction projects like a concession stand, restrooms and paved parking,” Wilbanks said. Holt is pleased with LTYA's choice of projects.

“We wanted the money to be used for something that would benefit all sports instead of just one,” Holt said.

LTYA began in 1978 and gives youth from across the Austin area opportunities to participate in baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

The benefit home is located in Rough Hollow in Lakeway and can be toured Oct. 16–31 during the Parade of Homes. Visit the Parade of Homes, Legend Communities, Zbranek Custom Homes, and Lake Travis Youth Association websites for more information.

*  Story Contributed by: Aden Holasek