Over 50 Dow Volunteers Take Part in Habitat Blitz Build

Plaquemine - June 05, 2006

	Latasha Beloney, one of the four recipients of the homes built in Plaquemine, Louisiana, nails in the ceremonial “first nail” into the foundation of her house on the opening day of the Habitat “Beat the Heat” Blitz Build. She is surrounded by Dow volunteers, Habitat staff members and community leaders as she begins her new life with the construction of her new home.

In celebration of 50 years in Louisiana, over 50 Dow Louisiana Operations volunteers joined Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, Volunteers from Dayton, OH, Americorps and members of the Westside community to build 4 homes in Plaquemine, LA.

The 4-home “Beat the Heat” Habitat blitz build began on Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 a.m. with the blessing of the homes at the corner of Marshall St. and Meriam St. in Plaquemine. The blitz build concluded on Sunday, June 4 with the dedication and key presentation of the last of the four homes.  The four families are scheduled to move in within the next few weeks as the final checklist is being completed.

The homes are being built for local families as well as an ongoing effort to build homes for families affected by Hurricanes Katrina. Habitat for Humanity provides affordable housing for partner families thanks to the generosity of volunteers and financial supporters. Families who qualify to receive habitat homes pay a 20 year, zero interest loan and 350 hours of sweat-equity into building their and other habitat homes, and complete a number of home-owner education and financial management courses.

For Editorial Information:

Gary Cambre
The Dow Chemical Company