Tag Archives: non-profit public relations

Lowe’s Joins Habitat for Humanity to Provide Funds, Volunteers For Power Women Power Tools and Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Thon

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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ Premier Build Weekend Event Announced for Sept. 29-30, 2012

Los Angeles, CA – August 6, 2012: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles announced today Lowe’s will return as the “Diamond Hammer” (title corporate partner) of its premier build events, Power Women Power Tools (PWPT) and the Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Thon (HFHFH BAT).

More than 500 volunteers will participate in the events at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City on Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30. The volunteers will build walls, which will be used for future home construction in the local community. Lowe’s became the title corporate partner for the events in 2011 and since then has committed more than $500,000 to revitalize communities throughout greater Los Angeles. Lowe’s provides hands-on support with teams of Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers working on-site each day and leading “how-to” clinics that teach basic building skills to participating volunteers.

“What started out as a way to engage female executives and the entertainment community to learn about Habitat for Humanity, has grown to be our two most anticipated events of the year,” says Erin Rank, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity, Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA). “Lowe’s has been a valuable partner with us over the years, and last year they really made these two events special, thanks to the support from local Lowe’s Heroes. Lowe’s is so much more than a sponsor. They really embody the spirit of giving, and we are thrilled to have them back again this year.”

A national partner since 2003, Lowe’s has supported Habitat through grant programs, project funding, how-to clinics and underwriting Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program. Lowe’s has been a longtime partner of HFH GLA, helping to change the lives of many hardworking, low-income homeowners. Over the past year, more than 200 Lowe’s Heroes have volunteered to build and renovate homes in greater Los Angeles; participated in special events and fundraisers; supported the Cornerstone Training Program; and educated homeowners with in-store clinics. Local Lowe’s stores in Long Beach, Burbank, Torrance, Hawthorne and the new store in Central Los Angeles have all supported HFH GLA with store events, fundraisers and volunteers. 

“Lowe’s understands the needs of the communities where we live and work,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “The opportunity to work alongside our neighbors and construct homes for local families shows us firsthand the impact Habitat makes on people’s lives every day.”

Power Women Power Tools, now in its eighth year, attracts hundreds of professional women from various sectors, including corporate, entertainment, education and faith. This all-female, invitation-only event attracts a select group of L.A.’s “power women” to build homes side by side. Since 2005, thousands of PWPT volunteers have helped build numerous homes both locally and in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf region. PWPT will take place on Saturday, Sept. 29.

Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity began in 2000 when writer, director and producer Randall Wallace established the program to rally the entertainment industry to support Habitat for Humanity’s goal of eliminating substandard housing worldwide. The Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Thon was created under that banner as a special event that raises much-needed funding and awareness thanks to its growing number of celebrity supporters who give their time and resources. The event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 30. Both events are by invitation only and additional sponsorship opportunities are available, including silent auction donations. To inquire about opportunities to become involved, please contact Jennifer Wise at jwise@habitatla.org.

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About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate substandard housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families and individuals in need to build decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated more than 700 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. HFH GLA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner and has achieved the coveted Charity Navigator 4-Star rating awarded to nonprofits for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. For more information, please visit http://www.habitatla.org or call 310-323-4663. Visit our blog at http://buildingagreaterla.blogspot.com.

ABOUT LOWE’S

Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. In 2011, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $32 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.

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Media Contacts:

Jo-An Turman

HFH GLA

T: 310-749-6613

jturman@habitatla.org

 

Angela Moore

Starfish P.R.

T: 310-429-8868

angela@starfish-pr.com

 

Stacey Lentz

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

T: 704-758-2173

stacey.c.lentz@lowes.com

“ANEW: doing what’s right with what’s left®” Short Documentary Wins Eco-Award at Awareness Film Festival in Los Angeles

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Visit ANEW at Dwell on Design to View Award-Winning Film & Join the Social Sustainability® Movement

 Los Angeles, CA – [June 22, 2012] Asset Network for Education Worldwide, Inc. (ANEW), a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, teamed up with Change for Balance Productions to create a short documentary, “ANEW: doing what’s right with what’s left®.” The documentary is currently on the film festival circuit and is serving as an effective platform for calling attention to the work ANEW does turning surplus furniture, architectural materials and building assets into service. Since May, the documentary has been an official selection at the Catalina and FILManthropy Film Festivals and, most recently, was named the winner of the “Eco Award” at the Awareness Festival in Los Angeles.

The Awareness Festival was formed by Heal One World, a non-profit charity, and explores contemporary social issues, be they environmental, political, spiritual, cultural, or health-related through the medium of film. In addition to winning the Eco Award, “ANEW: doing what’s right with what’s left®” was also awarded Best Editing, Best Visual Effects and Award of Excellence at the LA Movie Awards.

ANEW was founded by Rose Tourje, a veteran commercial interior designer who shifted her career focus to doing what’s right with what’s left® after realizing that great improvements were needed in the field of surplus liquidation. ANEW builds public awareness and educates through action by diverting office furniture, architectural materials and building assets from landfill, then redirecting them to strengthen communities. Each year ANEW diverts over one million pounds from landfill; in its seven-year existence it has served over 500 organizations in thirteen countries.

The next opportunity to learn more about ANEW and its work will be at Dwell on Design in Los Angeles where the organization has accepted the United States Green Building Council Los Angeles Chapter’s (USGBC-LA) invitation to exhibit with them at the show. Together, they will promote Social Sustainability®, uniting social responsibility with environmental sustainability. Dwell on Design runs June 22-24 and is the preeminent modern design show for the design trade on the West Coast. The ANEW booth is # 136.

“Dwell on Design gets better each year, with attendees representing eco-seekers with their eye on the latest sustainable materials, design and services,” says Tourje. “This is our third year attending and our first time on the expo floor – among our ANEW highlights, we’ll be celebrating the news of our short documentary film picking up another laurel.”

About ANEW

ANEW (Asset Network for Education Worldwide, Inc.) is a public, non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, organizing and repurposing surplus furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) for donation to the underserved.  For more information, visit www.anewfound.org

 

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 Media Contacts:

Glenn Sparks

Director, Media & Communications

C: 323-710-4792

glenn.sparks@anewfound.org

 

Alison Mullin

Starfish PR

C: 310-560-4049

Alison@starfish-pr.com

 

 

Construction is Underway on 2012 Thrivent Builds® Home in Partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

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7th Local Home Sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a Dream Come True for a Hardworking Single Mother

Los Angeles, CA – June 20, 2012: This past Saturday, the local Lutheran faith community, Thrivent Financial, the City of Lynwood and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction on the 2012 Thrivent Builds home in Lynwood. Yadira Luna is purchasing and building the home in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. As part of the Thrivent Builds partnership, 20 Lutheran congregations are contributing 50% of the volunteer hours and 10% of the funding needed to build Luna’s home. Construction is scheduled for completion in December of this year.

Yadira Luna is a single mother who will also contribute “sweat equity” hours building the three-bedroom and two-bath home that she and her son, Joseph, will move into and is expected to be completed by Christmas time. Luna’s home is new construction and shares a lot with an existing home that is being completely rehabilitated as part of HFH GLA’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2). Through NSP2, HFH GLA is acquiring foreclosed and vacant properties and rehabilitating them in order to give low-income families and individuals who would not qualify for a traditional mortgage the opportunity to own their home.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a Fortune 500 financial services organization that helps nearly three million members achieve their financial goals. In addition, Thrivent is committed to their communities, donating millions of dollars to Habitat for Humanity through a partnership called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, which brings together members of Thrivent Financial, Lutheran congregations, volunteers and Habitat for Humanity affiliates to build decent, sustainable and affordable homes with partner families and individuals in need. Over the last seven years, Thrivent has worked with Lutheran churches to commit $160 million and sponsor more than 1,000 Habitat for Humanity homes across the country, including seven the Greater Los Angeles area.

Thrivent and Habitat for Humanity share in the belief that a home is the biggest financial asset to most people and a key ingredient to achieving economic independence. For this reason, both organizations are committed to building hope, lives and communities. View highlights from the kickoff celebration here.

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate substandard housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families and individuals in need to build decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated more than 700 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. HFH GLA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner and has achieved the coveted Charity Navigator 4-Star rating awarded to non-profits for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. For more information, please visit http://www.habitatla.org or call 310-323-4663. Visit our blog at http://buildingagreaterla.blogspot.com.

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Media Contacts:

Jo-An Turman/ Habitat for Humanity GLA

C: 310-749-6613

jturman@habitatla.org

 

Angela Moore/ Starfish PR

C: 310-429-8868

angela@starfish-pr.com

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles hosts AmeriCorps members for weeklong blitz build

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 Los Angeles, CA – May 16, 2012– Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) will host more than 75 AmeriCorps members the week of May 20-25 for Habitat for Humanity International’s annual AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon.

In addition to Los Angeles, the annual Build-a-Thon will be hosted by Habitat affiliates in Dallas, Milwaukee, and Pensacola, Fl. May 14-25. The builds will engage over 400 AmeriCorps members and alumni from 36 states, and helps to highlight local community needs for affordable housing and the members’ service with Habitat.

This year’s Build-a-Thon is also helping HFH GLA to meet its goals with regards to the second phase of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2). The federally funded program partners with state and local governments and nonprofits to help reverse the decline in neighborhoods severely affected by foreclosures and abandonment. Habitat for Humanity International was awarded NSP2 funds by HUD for seven Habitat affiliates in five states — California, Florida, New York, Texas and Wisconsin — to provide housing solutions for more than 1,000 families. HFH GLA is one of seven Habitat affiliates partnering with Habitat for Humanity International on the NSP2 program.

“Our AmeriCorps members continually impress us with their dedication to our mission and several AmeriCorps alumni are now members of our permanent staff,” says Erin Rank, President & CEO of HFH GLA. “Those who will be joining us in Los Angeles for this year’s Build-a-Thon have their work cut out for them as we will be working on NSP2 homes in Lynwood and South Gate, but I know they are up for the challenge!”

Work at the Build-a-Thon in greater Los Angeles will include existing home rehabilitation, from drywall to plumbing, these AmeriCorps volunteers will be working towards completing homes for future homeowners. It will also highlight “green building” practices that help make houses more energy-efficient and affordable for partner homeowners.

“We are incredibly grateful for the service of these dedicated AmeriCorps members and their commitment to helping low-income families in need of affordable housing,” said Patrick Corvington, Habitat for Humanity International’s senior vice president of Volunteer and Institutional engagement. “Habitat’s Build-a-Thon allows us to showcase the pivotal role AmeriCorps members play in our ability to serve communities across the U.S.”

Habitat has partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that funds and oversees AmeriCorps programs since 1994. Currently, Habitat for Humanity has a network of more than 550 Habitat AmeriCorps members serving nationwide. In 2011, 700 Habitat AmeriCorps members helped serve 3,000 families in more than 200 communities across 39 states. They contributed more than 1.2 million hours of service, mobilized more than 250,000 volunteers and raised nearly $5 million for local house building and community development efforts.

Build-a-Thon Locations:

12628 Santa Fe Ave., Lynwood CA. 90262

3344 Tecumseh Ave., Lynwood CA. 90262

11937 Peach Ave., Lynwood CA. 90262

9230 San Vincente Ave., South Gate CA. 90280

9400 San Luis Ave., South Gate CA. 90280

Contacts:

Jo-An Turman

HFH GLA
424-246-3175

jturman@habitatla.org

Angela Moore

Starfish PR

310.429.8868

angela@starfish-pr.com

 About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate substandard housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families and individuals in need to build decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated more than 700 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. HFH GLA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner and has achieved the coveted Charity Navigator 4-Star rating awarded to non-profits for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency. For more information, please visit http://www.habitatla.org or call 310-323-4663. Visit our blog at http://buildingagreaterla.blogspot.com.

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 .

About Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Programs
Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members have performed more than 10 million hours of service, engaged nearly 2 million volunteers and helped serve more than 12,500 families throughout the United States. For information about AmeriCorps programs, visit www.habitat.org/americorps or www.americorps.gov.

About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and the Social Innovation Fund, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.