BENTON HARBOR, Mich., June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- As Habitat for Humanity
International's Jimmy Carter Work Project 2005 gets into full swing in
Michigan this week, the global nonprofit ministry today announced a $700,000
commitment from The Dow Chemical Company. The contribution will provide for
the building of 150 homes and two technical centers in tsunami-impacted areas
of Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia.
On Dec. 26, 2004, a massive underwater earthquake triggered a tsunami that
ravaged the coasts of many south Asia nations, killing hundreds of thousands
of people. The wave struck coastal regions in 12 countries; Indonesia, Sri
Lanka, India and Thailand were hardest hit.
The grant is part of a three-phase $5-million relief plan Dow has
undertaken in response to the tsunami, said Sarah Opperman, Dow vice
president. "Having employees, customers and community presences in Thailand,
Malaysia, Indonesia and India, we acutely experience the magnitude of their
loss and pledge to provide solutions to improve their living conditions, both
in the immediate future and long term sustainability."
"The Dow grant is a critical step forward for us as we continue to move to
help people so tragically impacted by the tsunami, and others so in need
throughout the world," said Paul Leonard, Habitat for Humanity International
chief executive officer. "We have had the privilege of working with Dow in a
number of our traditional projects. Their support in this disaster rebuilding
effort is particularly meaningful to us and those we serve."
The Dow Chemical Company Foundation made its first financial pledge -- of
$1 million -- more than 20 years ago to Habitat for Humanity affiliates to use
to build homes. To date, Dow's financial contributions have totaled more than
$10 million, earning Dow the honor of becoming a Lifetime Cornerstone Society
member of Habitat in the year 2000.
This year, Dow is an event-wide sponsor of the 22nd annual Jimmy Carter
Work Project, which brings the former president and his wife, Rosalynn,
together with thousands of volunteers across Michigan and Windsor, Ontario,
Canada, to build 230 homes for families in need.
About Dow
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical,
plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer
markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175
countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food,
transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and
construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable
development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic,
environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the
"Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries
unless otherwise expressly noted.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is an
ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. By the
end of 2005, Habitat will have built its 200,000th house and more than one
million people will be living in Habitat homes they helped build and are
buying through no-profit, zero-interest mortgages. http://www.habitat.org
SOURCE Habitat for Humanity International
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Related links:
http://www.habitat.org
CONTACT:
Joedy Isert, +1-229-924-6935, ext. 2330,
jisert@habitat.org, or Duane Bates, +1-229-924-6935, ext. 2541,
dbates@habitat.org, both for Habitat for Humanity
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