On Tuesday, Annastazia shared a stunning set of before and after photos of her home, proving once again that thoughtful improvements can make a dramatic difference. Those kinds of transformations always get attention, and now there’s a way for your own before and after pictures to support a meaningful cause while also giving you a chance to win a small reward.

One Project Closer, a blog that follows the home improvement projects of two Baltimore couples, is running a summer event called Before & After ’08. The event invites readers to submit their recent before and after projects completed in late spring or early summer. Entries are featured on the blog each Sunday throughout the summer, and for every published entry the organizers will donate $25 to Habitat for Humanity in the contributor’s honor. At the end of the season readers vote for their favorite transformation, and the winner receives a $50 gift card to a home improvement store of their choice.

• Submit a story and photos showcasing your before and after project completed in late spring or early summer.
• One Project Closer publishes one entry every Sunday and donates $25 to Habitat for Humanity in the name of the featured contributor.
• At summer’s end, readers vote for the best transformation and the winning entry receives a $50 gift card to their preferred home improvement retailer.

It’s an appealing opportunity for several reasons. First, it provides a way to share your project with an audience that appreciates hands-on home improvement work. Second, it channels community support to a trusted nonprofit that helps provide safe, affordable housing to families in need. Third, it adds a small incentive—an entry could earn you a gift card that helps fund future projects. Those combined benefits make this a compelling event for homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys seeing tangible results from hard work.

We’re excited about the initiative and about the chance to see a wide range of entries, from small cosmetic updates to larger structural or landscape projects. Submissions could include kitchen or bathroom refreshes, fresh paint and trim, cabinetry updates, flooring installations, landscaping makeovers, porch or walkway renovations, and any project that shows a clear before and after. Strong entries typically include clear, well-lit photos from consistent angles and a short narrative describing the work, materials, and timeline. Including notes about challenges you overcame or clever solutions you used will make your story more engaging to readers and voters.

For our own entry, we’re leaning toward submitting our front walkway makeover, which we completed in late spring. The walkway project involved removing an old, uneven path and installing slate pavers with improved grading for drainage. Over time the grass will fill in between the slate, softening the look and integrating the path with the surrounding lawn. We love the visual impact and the improved curb appeal, and it feels like a perfect example of a modest project that produced a noticeable transformation.

If you’re thinking about entering, take a few minutes now to gather your best before and after photos and write a concise description of your project—what you changed, why you made the changes, what materials or techniques you used, and how long it took. If you submit, please let us know so we can look for your entry and cast a vote at the end of the event. It’s always inspiring to see the variety of projects other homeowners tackle, and it’s great to know the community is supporting Habitat for Humanity while celebrating creative, budget-conscious improvements.

Events like Before & After ’08 are a reminder that small home improvement efforts can have big visual and practical payoffs. They also demonstrate how individual contributions—by sharing stories and photos—can raise awareness and funds for causes that help others secure decent housing. Whether your project is a quick weekend refresh or a more involved renovation, consider participating: your entry could inspire others, benefit a worthy nonprofit, and possibly earn a little recognition for your handiwork.