| Countdown begins on final homes for Andersen’s 100 Years/100 Homes Initiative |
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Minneapolis, Minn.—Ten-nine-eight-seven! An accelerated Blitz Build in Hastings beginning Monday, July 30 starts the countdown on the last ten homes constructed as Andersen Corporation’s 100 Years/100 Homes commitment to Habitat for Humanity. Four homes will be constructed during the Hastings Blitz Build, with the remaining homes scheduled to start construction over the next three months in the Twin Cities area. "Beginning construction on home number 90 brings an incredible feeling of accomplishment for the Andersen team. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has provided excellent leadership, which has been key to our company's success with this project,” said Jim Humphrey, President and CEO, Andersen Corporation. “There is also the commitment of a very dedicated employee group that has given more than 50,000 volunteer hours to building these homes so far. We have ten more homes to go, and I have no doubt our employees will get up early, put on their tool belts and see this commitment through. The real success story here is that collectively, we contributed significantly to the lives of 100 families in our communities," Humphrey added. In 2003, when Andersen Corporation celebrated their 100th year in business, they committed to building 100 homes over a five-year period in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The company and their family-related foundations donated $5 million to fund the homes and has partnered with their employees to build the homes around the United States and Canada. A leader in Andersen's commitment to community engagement, company board member Sarah Andersen has worked across the nation on all of the 100 Years/100 Homes build projects to date, and will be volunteering onsite all week during the Hastings Blitz Build. "Our partnership with Andersen Corporation has been extraordinary every step of the way. Their volunteers are highly committed, highly skilled, and passionate about giving back to their community. They have had an incredible impact on our work. As well, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Andersen was one of the first calls we received, requesting how they could help out. With their assistance, we increased our home production by more than 20 percent that construction season and sent 14 homes to the gulf coast,” said Susan Haigh, President and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH). To date, 50 of the 100 Years/100 Homes have been built with TCHFH, with an additional 14 that were completed in partnership with the Twin Cities affiliate as part of Operation Home Delivery hurricane relief efforts. Homes have also been built nationwide in cities where Andersen employees work and live, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Francisco, and London, Ontario. The 100th home is slated to begin construction October 15 in Bayport, Minn. Bayport will mark the 40th city that Twin Cities Habitat has built in its seven-county metro service area and is also home to Andersen Corporation’s headquarters. About Andersen CorporationAndersen Corporation is the world’s leading manufacturer of windows, patio doors and storm doors. The privately owned company was founded in 1903 and has a strong history of commitment to its business partners, employees, community and environmental stewardship. Andersen employs approximately 14,000 people and markets products throughout North America and in South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.andersencorp.com About Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH)The mission of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. Volunteer labor, donated materials and contributed funds are used to build and renovate homes in the Twin Cities area. Working under the faith-based principle that no profit should be gained from assisting those in need, Habitat for Humanity charges no interest on the mortgages that it issues to homebuyers. Families who purchase Habitat homes are selected based on need, ability to repay the zero percent mortgage, and willingness to partner. Families put in 300—500 hours of "sweat equity" helping to build Habitat homes. Since 1985, TCHFH has built over 660 homes in the seven-county metro area and engages more than 20,000 volunteers a year. For more information, visit www.tchabitat.org.
Contact: Sharon Rolenc |
July
27, 2007
