McKelvey Homes Donates $58,838 to Moog Center for Deaf Education

Date Posted: September 15, 2026

Posted In: Organizations, People,

McKelvey Homes has donated $58,838 to the Moog Center for Deaf Education through the homebuilder’s 1898 Society philanthropic initiative.

The gift was presented in July and will support the Moog Center’s work helping deaf or hard-of-hearing children develop spoken-language skills. Located in West St. Louis County, the center serves nearly 100 children. It provides hearing technology, speech-language therapy, and parent education beginning in infancy.

The organization’s goal is to prepare children to enter kindergarten in a general education classroom.

Personal Connection to Moog

The selection of the Moog Center has a personal connection for McKelvey Homes. Wade Auer, the young son of McKelvey New Home Renovation Division Manager David Auer and his wife, Kalina, was diagnosed with permanent hearing loss as an infant. He has received hearing aids and ongoing support through the center.

“The work they do here is incredible,” said McKelvey Homes President Jim Brennan. “After seeing the work they do here, we want to help with the cost of helping a child learn how to speak.”

Moog Center Executive Director Betsy Moog Brooks said the contribution will be directed where it is most needed. Although some state funding is available, the cost of services can remain an obstacle for families.

“We are incredibly grateful,” Brooks said. “For them it’s less than $2,000 a home, but that is huge for us.”

Society Named for McKelvey’s Founding Year

Jim and Rose Brennan established the 1898 Society, named for the year McKelvey Homes was founded, to support nonprofit organizations in the communities where the company builds. McKelvey contributes $1,898 from each home sold, with the recipient organization changing periodically.

According to the company, the initiative has generated more than $800,000 for St. Louis-area nonprofit organizations.

Founded in 1898, McKelvey Homes is Missouri’s oldest residential homebuilder and has built homes for more than 5,000 families.