NCA joins local companies in Habitat for Humanity Fall Build
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville
2950 Kraft Drive, Suite 100Nashville, TN 37204
615-254-4663
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
General Motors Foundation pledges $70,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville; Joins Local Companies to
Kick Off Fall Build Season
Press conference on Aug. 24 at 11:15 a.m. at Hallmark Subdivision
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August XX, 2013) — The General Motors Foundation pledged $70,000 to Habitat of Greater Nashville to build two homes on Lakewalk Drive in the Hallmark subdivision in Antioch. Habitat will mark the occasion on August 24 by kicking off the fall build season at 7:30 a.m., and by holding a press conference at 11:15 a.m. with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, THDA Executive Director Ralph Perrey, Habitat of Greater Nashville President and CEO Danny Herron and GM Foundation Communications Manager Maria Mainville.
The GM Foundation joins returning sponsors Amsurg, Nashville Predators, SMS Holdings, Inc., and UPS, as well as new sponsor NCA, Inc., to make possible the construction of the homes for Habitat’s partner families Imadeldin Elgailani and Nuha Mohamed (1085 Lakewalk Drive) and Zareef Mohareb and Afaf Gerges (1105 Lakewalk Drive). Construction that day will be led by approximately 20 teamGM Cares Volunteers from GM’s Spring Hill Manufacturing Plant, along with numerous volunteers from the other sponsoring organizations.
“We are grateful to the GM Foundation and our corporate sponsors for truly making a positive difference in the lives of the Middle Tennessee families we serve,” said Danny Herron, president and CEO of Habitat of Greater Nashville. “These hardworking families have an open heart and willing hands to improve their lives, and are better able to do so through this generosity.”
The Nashville project is one of 12 that the GM Foundation will undertake in cities across the U.S. this year as part of a $1 million grant to Habitat for Humanity International.
“Our support of Habitat for Humanity is just one example of how we’re helping to build stronger communities across the U.S.,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. “Helping families make homeownership a reality is some of the most meaningful work that we do.”
About Habitat’s Partner Families
Imadeldin (Imad) Elgailani & Nuha Mohamed: Imad moved to Nashville from Sudan in 1999 and worked to save money to sponsor his wife’s journey to the U.S. They now have four children: Mohamed, 8, Ahmed, 4, Shaima, 3, and Shahd, 1. Imad has been an assistant manager at School Uniforms and More since 2007. The family lives in a two-bedroom apartment and with the addition of their fourth child, needs more space. To his sponsors Imad says, “They teach us a lesson to do a good deed for someone even if you don’t know them. I thank them very much. We hope one day we can do the same for other people.”
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Zareef Mohareb & Afaf Gerges: When Zareef was a child he lived in southern Egypt and says his mother is his inspiration for a better life: “When I was a child I learned from my mother. She taught me how to be a student, save money, even to always use both my hands when I was working in the fields! She encouraged me in school even though she doesn’t know how to read or write. She is my inspiration.” Zareef worked as a middle school English teacher until he and his wife, Afaf, were chosen in the annual U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services lottery for a green card. Zareef bravely ventured to the U.S. in 2006 and Afaf followed in 2010. The two hope to start a family soon. Zareef works for Amazon.com and as a substitute teacher for Metro Nashville Public Schools. To his sponsors he says: “We couldn’t afford a home on the market. Now we can have a future with a safe and happy family surrounded by love.”
Upon completion of both homes on Lakewalk Drive, a dedication ceremony will be held there on Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.
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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville is one of more than 1,400 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to homeownership for working families. Since 1985, volunteers from corporations and from faith-based and civic organizations have worked in partnership with qualified homebuyers to construct affordable, sustainable, quality homes, which are then purchased through no-interest mortgages. Habitat of Greater Nashville has built or recycled more than 850 homes, over 600 locally, and served more than 2,000 family members including 1,400 children. To request an application or to receive more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, call 615-254-HOME (4663) or visit www.habitatnashville.org.
About the General Motors Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com.
For Directions to Hallmark, click here.
CONTACTS:
Sherry Stinson
Habitat of Greater Nashville
615-500-4645
sstinson@habitatnashville.org
Maria Mainville
GM Foundation Communications
313-573-7794
maria.mainville@gm.com