Connections

Issue 2 • Volume 3 • April 10

COMMUNITY

Oldcastle, Inc. to Sponsor Habitat for Humanity Build

Habitat House in Progress In an historic first, Oldcastle employees will be able to volunteer their time and construction skills to help an Atlanta family build a home in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity.

The build, which kicks off May 22, is scheduled to take seven Saturdays to complete with 35 to 40 Oldcastle volunteers participating each workday. Additional dates scheduled are June 5, 12, 19 and 26, and July 10 and 17. The family typically moves in five weeks after the build is complete to allow for interior finishing, such as carpet and appliance installation.

"We are thrilled to be able to participate in this project," said Joyce Watson, vice president of public relations, Oldcastle Materials. "Not only is it a perfect fit with our company, it aligns with our corporate value of giving back to the community. Excitement is building!"

In addition to the heavy construction of installing roofing, windows, walls and floors, volunteers also will be needed for cleaning, interior and exterior painting, hardware installation and landscaping.

"Whether you are a talented builder or an occasional DIYer, there will be building tasks suited for all levels of knowledge and experience. This project will serve as a rewarding team-building project for Oldcastle," Watson explained.

These Habitat for Humanity houses (pictured here and above) are in progress in Atlanta. The home styles are all similar models, but owners can choose their paint colors, floor coverings, cabinets, etc.

To ensure that the home meets inspections along the way, each project is led by a Habitat for Humanity director of construction. Additional Oldcastle employees will be available on each build day to assist with safety and materials.

Habitat for Humanity's mission is to partner with working families, sponsors and communities to build affordable, green, quality homes and to provide support services that promote successful home purchase and ownership.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has grown to more than 1,600 local affiliates, with Atlanta (www.atlantahabitat.org) as its second-largest chapter. Habitat relies on the financial support of house sponsors to help cover construction costs. Since 1983, Atlanta Habitat has built more than 1,040 homes, primarily in the City of Atlanta and Fulton County, housing more than 3,500 individual family members.

Through house sponsorship, individual donations and volunteer time, Habitat for Humanity builds quality, affordable and attractive houses, which are sold to homebuyer families through no-interest loans. Homebuyers complete 250 hours of "sweat equity" in addition to paying for their homes, working side-by-side with sponsors and volunteers to help build their own and other Atlanta Habitat homes.

Information on how to volunteer, as well as additional details about the family and house location is available online starting April 15 at www.AtlantaHabitat.volunteerhub.com. If you have problems with registration, please contact Regina Bivek, Oldcastle Materials, at (770) 392-5465 or Regina.Bivek@oldcastlematerials.com. Volunteers are encouraged to comment about their Habitat for Humanity build experience on Oldcastle’s first blog: http://givingback.oldcastle.com.

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