Lumber from the 2013 Rockefeller Center® Christmas tree will be used to help build Habitat for Humanity home in Connecticut

ATLANTA, Dec. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the seventh consecutive year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be donated to Habitat for Humanity to help build a simple, decent and affordable home in partnership with a family in need.

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

Tishman Speyer, the company that owns and operates Rockefeller Center, will mill and return lumber from the 76-foot-tall Norway spruce to its home state of Connecticut. The lumber will be used by Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County to help build exterior and interior walls for a home in Bridgeport, Conn.

"For many people, the lighting of the Rockefeller Christmas tree has become synonymous with the Christmas season," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "And we are grateful to Tishman Speyer for once again allowing us to be part of this growing tradition as lumber milled from the tree will become part of a safe, decent and affordable home."

"The 2013 Rockefeller Christmas tree will come full circle, from a seedling in neighboring Shelton, Conn., to Rockefeller Center as a symbol of hope and promise, and finally a vital part of a new home in Bridgeport, Conn.  Habitat homes provide hope and promise for each of our partner families," said Keith Cook, co-president and director of construction at Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. 

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was first donated to Habitat for Humanity in 2007. Lumber from previous trees has been used in the construction of homes in Pascagoula, Miss.; Stamford, Conn.; Newburgh, N.Y.; Philadelphia; Morris, N.J.; and New York City.

This annual donation also inspired the children's book, "The Carpenter's Gift." Written by David Rubel in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and illustrated by Jim LaMarche, the book tells the story of a young boy in Depression-era New York who wishes for a decent home for his family. "The Carpenter's Gift" shares a lesson of charity, good will and helping our neighbors.  For more information, visit www.habitat.org/CarpentersGift.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer visit habitat.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County
As a housing ministry, Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) seeks to strengthen neighborhoods and build community by partnering with low-income families, community volunteers and donors to build simple, affordable homes that provide first time home ownership opportunities for low income families.  Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity CFC has built a total of 177 homes in the Coastal Fairfield County cities of Bridgeport, Stratford, and Stamford.

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.  As of March 31, 2013, the firm had acquired, developed and/or managed a portfolio of over 123 million sq. ft. with a total value of over USD $64.4 billion since its founding in 1978.  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 OpernTurm in Frankfurt.  Tishman Speyer also has projects at different stages of development currently in Brasilia, Chengdu, Frankfurt, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo, San Francisco, Shanghai, Suzhou and Tianjin.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International