More than 500 Volunteers Completed Framing for Eight New Habitat Homes During Event Held at Sony Pictures Studios
Los Angeles, CA – October 10, 2012: At a time while most Angelenos were sweating the closure of the 405 freeway, more than 500 volunteers were sweating for a cause framing eight new Habitat for Humanity homes. For the second consecutive year, Lowe’s sponsored Power Women Power Tools and the Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Thon. Celebrities, entertainment industry and corporate executives volunteered their time at Sony Pictures Studios on Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30 to help Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) frame walls for eight affordable and sustainable homes as part of the Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity (HFHFH) program.
“We are so grateful to Lowe’s for their commitment to our cause, to our partner homeowners and the communities we serve,” said Erin Rank, President and CEO of HFH GLA. “Building homes is expensive and we could not do it without our public and private partners and volunteers like those who built with us during this event. We are humbled by the outpouring of support from those on-site who built and from those sharing and celebrating it all over the social web.”
Habitat for Humanity has developed a unique design prototype that can be used on multiple sites throughout greater Los Angeles. The 304 walls framed by volunteers during the Build-A-Thon will be used for duplexes that are 1,300 sq. feet and will have 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ bathrooms for partner homeowner families. These homes are slated to be part of a 10-home neighborhood scheduled for construction in Culver City in 2013.
“Being a volunteer for both Power Women Power Tools as well as the Build-A-Thon was one of the most rewarding things I have ever taken part in,” said Angy Smith, Lowe’s store manager. “Being able to swing a hammer with hundreds of other volunteers, and knowing that with each nail I was making a difference, is an indescribable feeling. My company is dedicated to making a difference throughout the nation and through these programs, we made a difference in my own town. What a great effort and a fantastic cause to support.”
Lowe’s Power Women, Power Tools:
This year marked the eighth year of HFH GLA’s popular, annual all-women build event Lowe’s Power Women Power Tools. Each year the event attracts hundreds of professional women from various sectors including corporate, entertainment, education and faith. They demonstrated the true meaning of “girl power” as they worked together to frame the walls for four future Habitat homes. Since 2005, Power Women Power Tools has engaged thousands of volunteers who have helped build numerous homes both locally and in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf region. Notable volunteers included: Congresswoman Karen Bass, Camilla Belle, State Assemblymember Betsy Butler, Erica Dasher, Paulie DiMeo, Gina Gershon, Kristina Guerrero, Tracy Hutson, Natacha Itzel, Joistarr, Chrisel Khalil, Cynthia Kirchner, Richard Lawson, Kate Linder, Lisa LoCicero, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, Alex McLeod, State Assemblymember Holly J. Mitchell, Catherine O’Hara, Tom Shadyac, Randall Wallace and Chandra Wilson.
The highlight of the Lowe’s Power Women Power Tools was when California’s oldest living female veteran, Bea Cohen, was honored during the lunch presentation. She spoke for 20 minutes, as the volunteers were transfixed by the 102-year-young speaker. Bea shared memories of both World Wars in vivid detail and she received a standing ovation for her dedication to veterans.
Lowe’s Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Thon:
The annual Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity Build-A-Thon, sponsored by Lowe’s, brought out more than 200 volunteers from the entertainment industry to help Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles build hope, lives and communities. Notable volunteers who participated in the Build-A-Thon included: Isabelle Adriani, Adam Busch, Lindsay Bushman, Tia Carrere, Paulie DiMeo, Max Ehrich, Colin Ford, Hon. Mike Gipson, Jessica Heap, Mackenzie Hill, Blake Hood, Lawrence Hilton- Jacobs, Warren Kole, James Lesure, Kate Linder, Lucas Neff, Stephen Nicholas, Greg Nixon, Dawn Olivieri, Hon. Jan Perry, Aida Rodriguez, Hon. Megan Sahli Wells, Joel Stallworth, Glynn Turman, Jake Tyson, Adrianne Zucker and more.
These events would not have been possible without the generous support of Lowe’s, the Title Corporate Partner and Diamond Hammer Sponsor. Other sponsors included: US Bank, Union Bank, Sony Pictures, Ernst & Young, Nordstrom and Variety. HFH GLA would also like to thank Sony Pictures Studios for hosting the two-day build event on the Jimmy Stewart parking lot.
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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Contacts:
Jo-An Turman
HFH GLA
T: 310-749-6613
Angela Moore
Starfish P.R.
T: 310-429-8868
Stacey Lentz
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
T: 704-758-2173