Emmy Award winner Steve Thomas joins Habitat for Humanity in nationwide building effort

ATLANTA, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Steve Thomas, Emmy Award-winning television personality and former host of the home improvement shows This Old House and Renovation Nation, will join Habitat for Humanity and local home building professionals in cities across the U.S. to build or rehabilitate homes during the week of June 4 as part of Habitat for Humanity's Home Builders Blitz 2012.

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"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join home builders who are helping to build more than 200 Habitat homes in 2012," said Thomas. "With their help and support, Habitat will be able to make affordable housing a reality with even more families this year. The expertise and skill these home building professionals bring to the table is a welcome addition to Habitat's efforts to build affordable housing."

Thomas will visit Habitat affiliates in Memphis, Tenn.; Flint, Mich.; McKinney, Texas; Omaha, Neb.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Lawrence, Mass.; to help raise awareness on how building professionals can take an active role in addressing the affordable housing needs of their communities.

Over the course of his career, Thomas is recognized as the "ultimate home enthusiast" and an "expert-on-demand" on the home renovation process. A much-in-demand speaker as well as a home renovator, Thomas advocates for greener building and renovation techniques.

Thomas first worked with Habitat for Humanity during a 1990 trip to Charlotte to cover the launching of a new Habitat affiliate. He subsequently showcased the 1993 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project in Winnipeg, Canada, and thereafter continued to integrate coverage of Habitat's activities into his professional projects.

Habitat's Home Builders Blitz is a partnership between Habitat and the building community to build and renovate homes across the United States. Builders and Habitat affiliates work closely to organize all aspects of building, including securing subcontractors and suppliers, fundraising and seeking donations of materials.

During this year's event, the nationwide project seeks to build and renovate more than 200 homes, thanks to the skilled labor provided by local professional homebuilders and construction firms.

"Steve's expertise in home renovation and long history with Habitat make him the perfect spokesperson for this year's Home Builder's Blitz," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "We sincerely thank Steve, the local builders and our generous sponsors for their support in helping families nationwide who are in need of affordable housing."

Habitat for Humanity would like to thank the building professionals and the following sponsors for their help in making this year's Home Builders Blitz possible: Cree; The Dow Chemical Company; The Elizabeth Anton Habitat for Humanity Fund; GAF Materials Corporation; Hunter Douglas; Larson; Lowe's; Masco; Royal Building Products; Schneider Electric; the Tapco Group; Toto; Valspar; the Whirlpool Corporation; and Yale Locks & Hardware. The National Association of Home Builders supports the voluntary participation of its members in this year's Home Builders Blitz.

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 500,000 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.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International