A local builder has chosen to donate $150,000 in profits from one of its custom homes to assist the Lake Travis Youth Association, which was defrauded of approximately $200,000 in August of 2008.

Zbranek Custom Homes made the announcement in conjunction with LTYA at a press conference Sept. 21 at the Rough Hollow Yacht Club and Marina’s open-air pavilion.
“LTYA was approached by Steve Zbranek and Tony Holt offering to help us in this severe time of need,” said LTYA vice president Andrew Brawley. “The idea was to feature a home in the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin’s 2010 Parade of Homes and donate the profits to LTYA.”
According to Holt, an owner-partner with Zbranek, it isn’t the first time the custom homebuilder has come to the aid of the community.
“Back in 2004, my wife Kristen and I, partnered with owners Steve and Sue Zbranek, on a home that was built here in the Lakeway area that benefited the Lake Travis Education Foundation,” Holt said. “That home was designed in a manner similar to this one.”
Holt said a “benefit home” is achieved by securing donations and discounts by vendors and contractors that participate in this charitable building program.
Zbranek Custom Homes donated $120,000 to LTEF at its annual Crystal Ball gala in 2005 to help fund class projects, teacher enrichment and other necessary scholastic programs throughout LTISD. The effort was a big success and inspired the firm to step in and help LTYA in its hour of need.
And they aren’t alone. Currently five other firms are pitching in on the effort, including Rough Hollow’s Haythem Dawlett, Granite Security, Design Visions of Austin and Feldt Consulting Engineers. According to Holt, other businesses are welcomed to participate before the project is completed.
“The success of this project is enhanced by the continued support of Haythem Dawlett and Rough Hollow, as well as the generosity of our vendors and contractors who have committed their participation,” Holt said.
Brawley said LTYA is currently in litigation concerning the missing registration fees collected by its former on-line registration provider, Count Me In, a third party Bellvue, Wash.-based company that handled on-line registrations for hundreds of non-profit and youth organizations across the nation. Last January, CMI filed bankruptcy, forcing the organization into a financial crisis requiring them to dip into its reserve funds in order to continue operations.
“Had we not been able to fall back on reserve funds, we would not have been able to continue providing the community with any of our youth sports programs,” Brawley said.
The custom home will be located in the Bluffs at Rough Hollow. Construction will begin in October, and the home has already been sold to a Lake Travis area family.
Enhancing the project is the fact the house will be featured in the 2010 Parade of Homes.
“This amplifies the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for this project,” Holt said.
When the house is completed, representatives from Zbranek Custom Homes and Rough Hollow will present a check to the officers of LTYA. Holt noted the funds could cover field expansion, equipment, or various improvements necessary for this fast growing recreational sports association.
“We live in a wonderful area, and the Lake Travis Youth Association is an integral part of our community,” Holt said. “Even in these tough economic times, we are honored to have the ability to give back to such a worthy cause.”
This is the second time in three years that the Parade of Homes has chosen the Rough Hollow Community to host the prestigious home showcase. Aside from the area’s physical beauty, Holt said Rough Hollow benefits from being located within the LTISD boundaries.
Holt said this benefit home will boast incredible lake views, open floor plans, state of the art technology, extra amenities and more.
“Zbranek Custom Homes will be hosting exclusive construction events, including slab and frame parties, during the construction process,” Holt said.
These events will include representatives from Zbranek Custom Homes, LTYA, participating contractors, vendors and even some of the Lake Travis youth athletes.
Businesses and individuals interested in participating in the LTYA Benefit Home or may contact Zbranek Custom Homes at 261-0444.