Professional Builders Volunteer for a Week-long Building Blitz With Habitat for Humanity as Part of National Effort

ATLANTA, April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Building industry professionals across the country are lending their construction skills to Habitat for Humanity this year to help build, renovate and repair more than 200 homes through the organization's Home Builders Blitz program. More than 250 building industry professionals will join Habitat in 25 states the week of June 4 to complete 180 of these homes.

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"We are excited to partner with builders and engage them in our work to help families in need of affordable housing," said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International CEO. "By sharing their talents and skills with us, we are able to increase our capacity to help transform communities. We thank the builders for their commitment and dedication to making Home Builders Blitz 2012 a success."

Habitat's Home Builders Blitz is a partnership between Habitat affiliates 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.  Builders participating in the program this year will work with more than 80 Habitat affiliates.   

Habitat launched its first Home Builders Blitz in 2006, four years after Habitat for Humanity Wake County (N.C.) and local builder Tom Gipson recruited 12 home builders to donate their time to each build a house in five days. A second blitz build event with professional builders was held in 2008. To date, 862 homes have been constructed under the initiative.

The National Association of Home Builders commends the efforts of the 2012 Builder Blitz. National event sponsors include: 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.

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