GROUND BREAKING: The City of Pinellas Park, HSN and Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County will gather for a ground-breaking event to celebrate the first Habitat Pinellas new home construction in Pinellas Park since 2005
PINELLAS PARK, FL – Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, HSN executives and the City of Pinellas Park will gather for a ground breaking ceremony for a new Habitat Pinellas house in Pinellas Park sponsored by HSN. The event will take place on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 10 a.m.
For the first time in five years, Habitat Pinellas is building a house in Pinellas Park. New Habitat Pinellas partner, HSN is sponsoring the Khamvizay family and reaching out to thousands of its employees in the Tampa Bay area to volunteer to help with construction.
In attendance and speaking at this event will be the Pinellas Park Mayor, Bill Mischler, HSN, Inc. CEO Mindy Grossman, Habitat Pinellas CEO Barbara Inman and homeowner Thongsa Khamvizay.
“We’re thrilled to welcome a new Habitat family to Pinellas Park,” stated Mayor Mischler. “This exciting partnership between Habitat and HSN exemplifies what a community can achieve by working together.”
“Through our HSN philanthropic efforts, we are thrilled to partner with Habitat for Humanity in Pinellas County for our largest community service initiative ever,” said Ms. Grossman. “I look forward to joining our employees to help Thongsa and her family realize their dream of owning a home.”
“When I heard I was accepted into the Habitat program, I cried. It’s been a long twenty years in a new country and I’m finally reaching my dream.” says Thongsa. “Habitat for Humanity has changed my life and has given me hope for a brighter future.”
More about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County
Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County has constructed 209 homes for struggling families in Pinellas County, using locally raised funds. Volunteers and the future homeowners construct the homes, which are sold at no profit and financed with a zero-interest loan. Habitat Pinellas homeowner candidates earn 30 to 80 percent of area median income. For Pinellas County, that translates to as little as $17,800 a year for a family of four. Candidates must also demonstrate need for adequate shelter; ability to pay back a zero-interest loan and willingness to partner with Habitat Pinellas to invest 250 to 350 sweat equity hours. Mortgage monies are used to build even more homes, making each donation to Habitat a perpetual legacy to the community. Habitat believes that home ownership contributes to family stability, leading in turn to community stability. Additionally, Habitat Pinellas raises funds through their ReStore, a home improvement outlet where donated household and building items are sold to the public. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County, contact (727) 536-4755 or visit www.HabitatPinellas.org.