b'THE GENESIS OF BILLS GIVINGMarch 7th, 2024 commemorated the sixth anniversary of the death of our founder, William J. Pulte (1932 -2018). The release date of the 2023 Annual Report was close behind, so it seems fitting to start this publication by honoring his legacy of giving, with a personal tale of how Bill knew there was more joy in giving than receiving.Bills formative years were shaped largely by living through the Great Depression (1929 -1939). On May 16th, 1932, in Ann Arbor, MI, William (Bill Sr.) and Marguerite Pulte welcomed their first of six children, William J. Pulte II. Bill Sr. and Marguerite were of German and Irish descent, devout Catholics, and hard workers. While Marguerite remained home to raise the family, Bill Sr. held two jobs: an AAA insurance adjuster and, as weather permitted, a greenskeeper at a public golf course. They never owned a home until young Bill built one when he was nineteen. Bill Pulte, Jr. would grow up to be an American success story. A kid who started as a carpenter at age 18, never went to college, then went on to be the founder and chairman of the board of the largest homebuilding company in the United States. At the height of Pulte Homes success, they made the American dream come true and sold over 45,000 homes in one year across America. Only God knew that this young man would grow into an incredible ambassador of Christ and leave a legacy of giving that would impact hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people around the globe over his lifetime and beyond.Bill Jr.s philanthropy was born in his earliest years as a builder. The second home he built was for his parents, and of course, they were delighted. But it would be a special gift within that home that would affect him for the rest of his life. It was late Christmas Eve, 1951. The 19-year-old Bill quietly installed a dishwasher to surprise his mother, Marguerite, whom he adored. Gone would be the days of her washing the dishes by hand for a family of eight. On Christmas morning, when Bills mother woke up and saw the dishwasher, she started to cry tears of joy. Seeing his mothers reaction made Bill feel tremendous joy himself. He often would recall the story and share, That was the first time I understood there was more joy in giving than receiving.5'