Sponsor Spotlight: Thank You, Don Brown
Don Brown and his wife, Dr. Kian Kaz, regularly donate their beautiful gently used furniture and accessories to the Habitat Williamsburg ReStore, but when Don learned more about the nonprofit’s mission, he was moved to do more.
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg believes in building homes, communities and hope.
“I like the fact that they’re providing a home for a family, but their motto is ‘hand up not hand out,’” Brown said. “The homebuyers are heavily involved in the construction and are financially obligated to pay for the home. It gives people an opportunity who otherwise wouldn’t have one to own a home, which is great.”
Brown, who owns a financial planning business for Northwestern Mutual, joined the Habitat Board of Directors and sponsored one of the four homes being built in Charles City. Habitat broke ground on the project on Nov. 5, 2022; construction will be complete this year. The homes will be built using insulating concrete forms, a cost-efficient material that is energy efficient and disaster resistant.
Brown is a Newport News native who holds a business degree from Christopher Newport University. He has been designated a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® after earning a graduate degree from The American College. Brown specializes in estate planning and administers charitable trusts for clients. The donation to the Charles City house came from a charitable trust he is administering.
“Keeping the money right here is also great,” said Brown, who is active in several local other charities, including the Peninsula SPCA, where the family Maltipoo, Dupre, is the spokes pet of the year.
