Homeowner of the first Habitat home built in Chattanooga's Alton Park, LeShundria Nelson with award winning television personality, Steve Thomas (center) and Habitat volunteer, Marsha Mills of McKee Foods Corporation.
Local homebuilders partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area to raise walls on two homes in partnership with low-income families seeking decent and affordable housing in Chattanooga’s Southside and Bushtown neighborhoods as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Home Builders Blitz 2014 on Wednesday.
During this year’s event, the nationwide project seeks to build and renovate nearly 260 homes, thanks to the skilled labor provided by local professional homebuilders and construction firms.
Home Builders Blitz 2014 is a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the building industry to build homes across the nation.
Builders and Habitat affiliates work closely to organize all aspects of building, including securing subcontractors and suppliers, fundraising and seeking donations of materials. Builders participating in the program this year will work with more than 80 Habitat affiliates.
“Many of Habitat’s most prolific supporters have come from the building community whose members understand the importance of creating strong communities,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “We are incredibly grateful that so many home builders choose to give of their time, talent and resources to help build hope in the lives of families in need of decent shelter.”
Locally, Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga and Chattanooga Remodelers Council, America’s Home Place, Collier Construction, Bell Development and Dexter White Construction gathered subcontractors and suppliers to obtain materials and professional labor for the build.
“Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization,” said David Butler, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. “We are tremendously grateful to the nine local contractors, equating to more than 90 volunteers, who lent their time, talents, and support today. We hope that this national project will have a rippling effect that will engage more people to become active volunteers at Habitat for Humanity.”
Additionally, Habitat for Humanity would like to thank its national sponsors for their help in making this year’s Home Builders Blitz possible: Big Rentz, Bsafe, Columbia Forest Products, Delta Faucet, Dow, GAF, Gildan, Tom Gipson, Hunter Douglas, Irwin Tools, KraftMaid, Larson Manufacturing, Lowe’s, MaxLite, Masco Corporation, Panasonic Ventilation, Royal Building Products, Schneider Electric, Valspar, Whirlpool Home Appliances and Yale Lock & Hardware.
To learn about volunteer opportunities at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, call Dominique Brandt at 423 756-0507.
Steve Thomas, Emmy Award-winning television personality and former host of the home improvement shows This Old House and Renovation Nation, chats with Bobby Prewitt, Construction Manager at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area.