80th Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree to be used in the construction of Habitat for Humanity homes in New York City and Morris, N.J.

ATLANTA, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing a post-holiday tradition that has helped fulfill the dream of homeownership, the 80th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity for the sixth year in a row to help families in need of affordable housing.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130108/CL38951 )

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050501/NYSU020LOGO )

Tishman Speyer, the company that owns and operates Rockefeller Center, will mill and donate lumber from the 80-year-old, 80-foot Norway spruce from Mount Olive, N.J. A portion of the lumber will be used to help build homes in nearby Morris, N.J., and also in New York City. 

"We are grateful to Tishman Speyer for the generous donation of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree for the sixth consecutive year," said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International CEO. "The donation of lumber from the tree is a very special gift to our partner families and serves as a reminder that everyone can help in some way as Habitat seeks to build homes, communities and hope."

"We are thrilled that lumber for the tree will once again be used to build homes with Habitat partner families," said Keith Douglas, managing director for sales and marketing, Rockefeller Center. "During the holiday season the tree brings joy to millions around the world, and we hope that it will now continue bringing joy to a family for generations to come."

The 2007 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was first donated to Habitat for Humanity and used in the construction of a Hurricane Katrina survivor's home in Pascagoula, Miss. Since then, the lumber has been used in the construction of homes in New York City; Stamford, Conn.; Newburgh, N.Y.; and Philadelphia.

Inspired by Habitat for Humanity's annual tradition of using wood milled from the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, author David Rubel collaborated with Habitat for Humanity and illustrator Jim LaMarche to create "The Carpenter's Gift" (Random House Books for Young Readers / Ages 5–8),  an uplifting holiday picture book set in Depression-era New York. Highlighting the timeless themes of charity and good will, "The Carpenter's Gift" shows that the best gifts are the ones that are unexpected, and may well inspire readers to do some giving of their own. For more information, visit www.habitat.org/CarpentersGift

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 600,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat's blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.

About Tishman Speyer
Tishman Speyer is one of the leading developers, owners, operators and asset managers of first class real estate worldwide. Active across North America, Europe, South America and Asia, Tishman Speyer is relied upon by many of the world's most prestigious corporations to meet their office space needs. Since its founding in 1978, the firm has acquired, developed and/or managed a portfolio of more than 119 million sq. ft. valued at more than US$57.8 billion. Signature assets include New York's Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Center, Sao Paulo's Torre Norte, Ventura Corporate Towers in Rio de Janeiro and the TaunusTurm project now under construction in Frankfurt. Tishman Speyer also has projects at different stages of development in Shanghai, Chengdu, Tianjin, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, San Paolo, Hyderabad and Gurgaon. For more information, please visit www.tishmanspeyer.com.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International