Duane Harte was honored posthumously at the 2016 San Fernando Valley-Santa Clarita Valley Habitat for Humanity Builder’s Ball with the creation of the Duane Harte Memorial Family Assistance Fund.

A scholarship has been established in Harte’s name.

Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar announced the formation of the fund during the event held Friday at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City.

Harte was a longtime volunteer in the SCV. He served 23 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve and was a leader in the SCV Veterans Memorial Committee, SCV Historical Society, American Legion Post 407, Fourth of July Parade Committee and other nonprofits.

In 2013 he helped coordinate the motor escort for the Traveling Vietnam Wall to the SCV and was a supporter of the United Service Organization (USO).

The Duane Harte Memorial Family Assistance Fund will help Habitat’s veteran families who are facing financial adversity due to loss of a job, unexpected medical expenses and other unexpected life events.

“Duane Harte was a huge supporter of Habitat,” said Kellar. “There was nothing, and I mean nothing, that Duane would not do for his fellow veterans. We lost Duane just a short time ago, and what a loss it was. Duane was known as the heart of Santa Clarita. Duane Harte never said no. He was always there for the people of the Santa Clarita Valley.”

Harte’s wife Pauline and daughter Denise Harte attended the event and were recognized by Kellar during his speech.

Kellar said the Harte Fund has already topped $10,000 in donations.

From left: Laura and Rodger Brennan, Doreen Shine and son John Chastain. Photos by Michele E. Buttelman.

Also honored during the evening were Doreen Shine and Anheuser-Busch with Hammer of Hope Awards.

Shine, active in many local nonprofits, is chairwoman of the Family Home Visit Committee for the Habitat program of creating homes for low-income veterans.

Habitat CEO Donna Deutchman said Shine has made home visits to hundreds of families.

“That is a real job. She has coordinated and in most cases visited every single potential family in 61 houses in Pacoima, 12 veteran homes in Sylmar, 26 veteran homes in Santa Clarita and 36 families that have been selected for the next two phases in Santa Clarita,” Deutchman said. “That is a huge commitment. She also trains the Family Selection volunteers.”

Cheryl Grey and Pamela Braly bid $1,600 to attend a live studio taping of “The Voice.”

Shine has served on the Builder’s Ball Committee since 2004 and was chairwoman of the ball from 2006 to 2015.

“I don’t deserve this honor. The veterans deserve this honor,” said Shine. “This is very humbling for me. Being honored is much more difficult than honoring (others).”

Jack Shine, Doreen’s husband, said he was “beyond proud” of his wife’s accomplishments.

Her son, John Chastain, was flown in from Houston to join in the celebration to honor his mother.

“I am very proud of my mother,” Chastain said.

Luis Cayo, senior general manager of the Los Angeles Anheuser-Busch brewery, accepted the Hammer of Hope Award for the company.

Kate Linder, longtime soap opera actress on “The Young and the Restless,” assisted with the live auction.

Since 1997, Anheuser-Busch and its foundation have contributed more than $515 million to charitable organizations, and the company encourages employees to volunteer their time.

The event raised more than $53,000 for SFV-SCV Habitat for Humanity in a live auction and “Raise the Paddle” under the guidance of Jim Nye “The Benefit Auction Guy.”

Assisting Nye was Kate Linder, a longtime cast member of the soap opera, “The Young and the Restless.”

Members of the SCV Men of Harmony barbershop choir sang a salute to military service members by singing each branch’s song.

Karen Brown served as event chairwoman of the 2016 Builder’s Ball, which attracted nearly 400 guests including many from the SCV.

For more information, visit www.humanityca.org.

Doreen Shine, right, greets Builder’s Ball guest Doris Zimmer. Shine made the rounds of the room greeting each of the nearly 400 guests to the event.

Doreen Shine, center, is awarded the Hammer of Hope Award at the San Fernando Valley/Santa Clarita Valley Habitat for Humanity 2016 Builder’s Ball.

San Fernando Valley/Santa Clarita Valley Habitat for Humanity Site Superintendent Brailey Franco and auctioneer Jim Nye. Franco earned a bid of $2,000 his “honey-do” services during the live auction.