“People's legacies,” he says, “are so much defined by what they've accumulated. A legacy is better defined by what they do.” He adds: “I think people do what they can.”

As Atack and his visitor ride back to Atack Properties' suburban campus, Bob the builder swings by CrossRidge, a gated, age-restricted community packed with 650 low-maintenance homes ranging from single-family houses to townhomes to condominiums, with prices from $300,000 to $500,000. They abut an Atack Properties–developed shopping center.

“This,” notes Bob the philanthropist, “is what enables us to have the abundance to help.”

BOB ATACK
  • AGE: 58
  • POSITION: President, Atack Properties, Glen Allen, Va.
  • CHARITABLE WORK: Includes Good Samaritan Ministries, Virginia United Methodist Homes, the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen, Virginia Holocaust Museum, Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Shady Grove YMCA, Local Initiatives Support Corp., Richmond Strikers Youth Soccer Club, Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Joseph's Villa, Henrico County
  • AWARD: $150,000
    • HEARTHSTONE JUDGES
  • Ralph Drees, chairman, The Drees Co.
  • Bernard Drueding III, president, B.J. Drueding Builders
  • J. Roger Glunt, CEO, Jayar Construction/ Glunt Development
  • David K. Hill, CEO, Kimball Hill Homes
  • Joseph Pusateri, president, Elite Homes
  • Nicolas R. Retsinas, director, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
  • David M. Showers, president, Strausser Investment
  • Robert J. Strudler, COO, Lennar Corp.
  • J. Ronald Terwilliger, CEO and president, Trammel Crow Residential
  • Larry Webb, CEO, John Laing Homes
  • Lee Wetherington, CEO, Lee Wetherington Homes
    • AWARD CRITERIA
  • Lifetime commitment: The builder demonstrates a lifetime of commitment to charitable work.
  • Depth of commitment: The builder shows a significant commitment to charitable activities in terms of personal time and resources contributed.
  • Significance of contribution: The builder has made a significant difference in both the number of people affected and the impact on those who have benefited from the builder's involvement.
  • Inspirational value: The builder inspires many others to get more involved in community service activities.
  • Significance of charity: Highest preference is given to charities that assist the unfortunate and underprivileged. After this, significant weight is given to charities that involve housing.
  • Ability of charity to use award: The charity should be one that can readily use the award in a productive manner.
    • CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

    All for-profit builders or lot developers are eligible as either individuals or companies for the Hearthstone BUILDER Humanitarian Awards. Builders may nominate themselves or be nominated by other builders or by the charities, nonprofits, or government organizations they have helped. BUILDER will begin accepting nominations starting on March 15, 2007 and continuing until Aug. 1, 2007. To request a nomination form, contact Loretta Williams at 202-736-3455 or lwilliams@hanleywood.com.